She hadn’t seen Darien since he’d dropped her off at the academy Monday morning, but he’d given her strict instructions not to leave the schoolgrounds until Saturday, when she would have to go to her shift at Mordred and Penelope’s. Her Avertera talisman twinkled in the sunlight as she made her way to the apothecary by taxi and began her opening duties.
Dallas came to see her at noon. Loren was tacking her sign to the door, announcing that she was closed for lunch, while Dallas rolled around on the floor of the apothecary with Singer.
“Who’s a good puppy?” Dallas crooned, scratching the dog’s floppy ears. Singer’s tail swished back and forth as he gave a yelp of satisfaction.“Who’s a good puppy?”
Loren strode to one of the tables and flipped open the lid on the pizza box that was hidden among sentient plants, potions, bags of dragon scales, and vials of unicorn hair. “You’d better come get some or I’m going to eat the whole pie,” she threatened as she took a slice, her mouth salivating at the sight of a gooey string of piping-hot cheese stretching until it snapped.
One of the potted plants on the table trembled as if stirring awake and snaked a leafy branch toward the box.
Loren snapped the lid shut. “Don’t even try it,” she told the plant as she bit off a mouthful of pizza. Clearly vexed by Loren’s tone, the plant rustled its leaves and recoiled into its pot. It was to Dallas that Loren said, “We’d better eat upstairs, or we’re going to have all-out war with the plants.” She cocked an eyebrow at the plant, and it sank a little further into its pot.
Dallas and Singer leapt to their feet and were bounding up the stairs before Loren could reach the bottom step.
They ate in silence in the office that doubled as a staffroom, Dallas spinning herself around in the swivel chair while Loren perched on the edge of the desk. Singer got his very own slice, which he happily devoured at Loren’s feet.
There were no plants in the office aside from one: a small wilting thing Loren was determined to revive. She kept it on the windowsill behind the desk, exactly where it would get the best amount of sunlight for its species. Dallas always made fun of her for trying to keep it alive when its small leaves were thoroughly crisped, its body drooping toward the sill as if someone had gravely insulted it.
Dallas finished off her fourth slice and propped her feet up on the desk. “So, when do I get to meet this mysterious Darien Cassel?”
Loren shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe never.” She licked tomato sauce off her thumb. “He hasn’t contacted me all week, so I don’t know what’s happening.” If the magic of the talisman ran out before Darien contacted her, she would be screwed. She hoped she hadn’t given him such a hard time lately that he’d decided he was done with her.
Dallas said nothing as she began picking at her red stiletto nails. Loren snapped the empty pizza box shut and tossed it into the wastebasket. “What’s the matter, Dal?”
The redhead wouldn’t meet her gaze. “You told me no boys would ever get in the way of us. Of our friendship.”
Loren’s eyebrows shot up, an incredulous grin spreading across her face. “Are you seriously being jealous right now? Of aslayer,of all people?”
Dallas crossed her arms and glowered at her. Loren couldn’t help but laugh. “I don’t see what’s so funny,” Dallas grumbled.
“What’s funny is that you’re bothered by Darien Cassel. I mean, he’s smoking hot, I admit. But the last person he would ever be interested in isme.”Loren and Dallas had established from a young age that they would make life decisions based on each other, always taking care of their friendship first. No stupid boys would ever get in the way of the plans they’d made for the future.
Dallas ignored her as she spun the tip of a braid between her index finger and thumb. She used the ankle that was still propped up on the desk to swivel the chair back and forth as she mulled over Loren’s words.
“Dallas,” Loren prodded. Dal peeked up at her from under her eyelashes. “Are we cool?”
Dallas smiled. “Yeah, we’re cool.” She hopped to her feet and dragged a finger over the wilting plant as she passed by the window. “Bye, Mr. Crispy,” she said to it as she made her way to the stairs. “Let me know if you end up going back to Hell’s Gate, Lor. I have my first day of training with the Fleet tomorrow.”
Loren’s mouth popped open. “Star in heaven, Dallas! I totally forgot about that.”
It was a big step for Dallas. Becoming a soldier in the Aerial Fleet was not only her birthright but her dream. She’d longed to join the winged forces her parents commanded ever since she was a little girl. Dallas had a fascination with birds; by receiving the magical wings the soldiers were given via surgery, she would be soaring with them through the skies in no time.
Dallas smiled. “It’s okay. You’ve had a lot on your plate.” She sighed, lingering in the doorway. “We both have.”
Loren nodded her agreement.
Taking note of whatever expression was on Loren’s face, Dallas said, “Things will go back to normal—I promise. If you’re worried about anything, call me. I’m always here.”
“Likewise.”
“And let me know if Darien’s ever being a prick. I’ll happily beat him up for you.”
Loren tipped her head back and laughed. Dallas picking a fight with Darien was the kind of entertainment she would pay good money to see.
“I’ll see you at the vigil tomorrow night,” Dallas said. And then she blew Loren a kiss before skipping down the stairs and out the front door.
17
Darien was a lethal wall of muscle at Loren’s side as she made her way through the crowds of people at Sabrine’s candlelight vigil. Loren’s eyes stung with tears as she scanned the faces of the people they passed, the flame of the candle she carried warming her hands. In the crook of her elbow, she held the stuffed elephant Sabrine had given her when they were children.
