Page 83 of XO Karma

She folds her arms over her chest. “Liked what?”

“The power.” I grin, stepping closer. “Feeling in control for once.”

“Being in that room…” Her jaw hardens. “I’ve never felt so out of control in my life.”

“You left alive. You brought Vetrel to his knees. Hardly sounds like someone out of control.”

“You know what?” She spins, stomping out of the room, and heads towards the front door, clearly over our little standoff. “You think you know me.” I trail behind her. “But you don’t!” She gathers her things. “So stop telling me what I think or how I’m feeling.”

“Lily, wait.” I reach for her, but she jumps out of my grasp, and my chest tightens. “It’s not my problem if you can’t face the truth.”

Her eyes narrow. “And what truth would that be?”

That you and I are more alike than you think. “That you realized the world would be a better place without certain people in it. And you liked the control of being the one to make that decision.”

Her jaw is tight, but her eyes are playful. “You haven’t corrupted me just yet, Grim.”

And she’s gone without another word.

When I return to the living room, my gaze falls to the coffee table, the hunk of metal all but setting fire to it.

Frederick Vetrel is a dead man.

27

LILY

Grim

call me

Me

when hell freezes

Grim

can be arranged. i have connections

Me

then go talk to them

My heels clack as I walk across the marble floors of the Cleosville Art Museum. The anonymous caller came through, and when I got home from Aster’s, Jude Westerford’s schedule was sitting on my bed. Highlighted in bright yellow was:

Meeting at Cleosville Art Museum – Saturday, 6 p.m.

The place is mostly empty, and given I’ve been wandering for at least an hour, I worry I’ll soon appear suspicious.

My phone buzzes and I pull it out, Amara’s name flashing across the screen. A reminder that if I wait here any longer, I’m going to be late to her and Val’s Halloween party. It’s the week before the holiday, but since they have to take Zuri trick-or-treating on the actual date, the adult shenanigans will take place tonight.

Given I’m basically alone in these echoing halls, I accept the call.

“Hey, girl,” she coos.

“What’s up?”

“Can you get a bag of ice on your way? I don’t think we’ll have enough.”