Page 33 of Siren’s Secret

“I didn’t mean to—”

“It’s a good thing, Way. It puts an end to the shit going around that you aren’t powerful enough to keep Powerhouses’ attention.”

“Who cares?” Wave griped.

“Most do,” Salis said, nodding sagely. “Then you made out pretty publicly with the Ice clan heir apparent and one of the Powerhouses. At the same time. And they didn’t try to kill each other. That will have gossip running for years. Well, weeks. Maybe days, until you manage to pull off something even more scandalous.”

“Not funny.”

“Just stating facts, buttercup. Normally, the attack on the Academy grounds would be the only thing people talked about for a decade. Somehow, you manage to divert their attention in a day.”

“Hmpf.”

“Seriously speaking, though, Way. Are you all right? What’s going on with you and Irishen? I mean, Jarred I can understand, but—”

“He’s my maybe-fucking-mate,” Wave grumbled out loud before she could check herself. Salis stopped in his tracks.

“Wait! What? I mean, I know you implied it. But really? Are you sure?”

Wave groaned and tugged at his arm. “Keep it moving. I can’t be late for Kilkenny’s class. He’s an ass enough as it is.”

“Wayla.” Salis pulled her to a stop.

“What?”

“You can’t just drop something like that on me and then ignore it.” Salis breathed in deep. “I mean, yeah, you kinda said it before, but I didn’t really believe you. Really?”

Wave decided to ignore everything else and reacted to the first part of his word vomit. “Sure I can. I’m ignoring him, too. Mostly.”

“Oh, denial,” Salis said and released her arm, hurrying to catch up to her when she marched on. “This is going to be fun. Or a catastrophe. I’m betting on catastrophe.”

“Not helpful,” Wave groaned. “I’m not claiming the bond.”

“Definitely a catastrophe.” Salis nodded to himself.

Wave glared at yet another student diving out of her way. This would get old fast. She hurried her steps, eager to get out of the hallway. As soon as she spotted her classroom, she nudged Salis, ending the conversation.

“This is me. Run along now!”

“Don’t forget that I’m walking you home after! And this discussion is most definitely not over, lollipop.”

“Yeah, it is,” Wave murmured and rushed to class. There was nothing to say. Her hand rose to her neck and shivers ran down her spine. The bruises were still there.

But there was nothing more to say about Irishen. Or Jarred. Or the fact that she had broken her favorite vibrator by squeezing too hard as she came.

Not. A. Word.

The living room was empty when Wave slipped inside after Salis dropped her home after school. Bracing herself for a moment, Wave made her way over to Diana’s door and knocked.

“Come in!”

She cracked the door and peeked inside. “Do you have a minute?”

“Sure, come on in,” Diana replied. Where Wave’s room was really generic, even after Chrissy’s color modifications, Diana’s room was a garden. Or jungle. Wave looked for a place to sit and decided the floor was her safest bet.

Carefully, she folded down and looked up at Diana, who was sitting by her desk and fiddling with some plant that had a spot of brown on its green leaf.

“What’s wrong with it?” she asked, curious.