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When the three of us walked to Daggers & Dynamite, the grass around us was packed with bodies, but at a glare from Aubrey, they quickly vacated.
“Are you all right?” she asked with a gentleness I’d never heard from her.
“I feel guilty,” I admitted. My stomach soured, searching for boys that weren’t coming.
“The Bulgae killed them, not you,” she said.
“But I didn’t save them, either.” Wasn’t that what we existed for? Slayers of demons, protectors of humanity?
“They kidnapped me, Luna,” Cordelia said. “I won’t miss them.” She flipped her braid over her shoulder like Aubrey usually did. Our trio was rubbing off on each other.
“Forget the deceased, Luna. I’m ready to be Housed,” Aubrey grumbled.
Sophomores from each House arrived in rambunctious bundles to their seats. This was one of the few mixed-grade classes where we all learned together.
“Aren’t we all?” Cordelia added. The longing was so plain on her face as she watched the Sirens swim up to the shore. Since the weather was so nice, we had class outside today, and Sirens watched from the sea.
“Maybe the Antikythera will add you back to the roster for the last round,” I said. “It’s done crazier things before.”
“I wouldn’t count on that old piece of work,” Aubrey said. “Unpredictable is never good.”
As if to prove her point, a frisbee glided out from the side and smacked her in the face.
“Aubrey! Are you okay?” Cordelia asked.
A gangly werewolf ran up. “Maybe you should have sat out of the path of progress—” His eyes roved to me.
“Ah, sorry. Didn’t know you were with the sun slayer.”
Sun slayer?
Aubrey whacked him in the face with the frisbee. “Aubrey!” Cordelia scolded, but she covered her mouth to suppress a laugh.
He faced me, dodging Aubrey’s attacks. “Apologies. I didn’t know you were friends with her.”
“You don’t have to apologize to me,” I said, but he’d already run off, Aubrey still holding his frisbee like a mallet.
“People have been treating me differently lately, don’t you think?” I asked my friends.
“They’ve finally been showing you the respect you deserve,” Aubrey spat. “Although, they should show all of us the respect we deserve.” She ripped the frisbee into daggers and hurled them at the boy. All missed, and Cordelia shot me a grin. “You’re next, fin lover.” Cordelia gulped.
“I didn’t do anything to deserve their respect.”
“You killed a massive sun beast. They’re respecting who they think will be a future house leader,” Cordelia said.
“Everyone bows to power,” Aubrey added. Her gaze lingered on me, and I swore she was watching the shadows swimming beneath the surface. “And you’re a cauldron ready to burst.”
* * *
“Couldyou ask a boy from back home?”
“A high schooler? Gross!”
“Human boys are worthless. Real men have power,” Mom would remind me.
“Is that why you married Dad?” I’d ask her. Then she’d get all offended and huff away. She married for love. But she was insecure about it, so she always pushed me to be different. More.
You’ve always been smarter than me.
