Page 156 of Every Shade of Shadow

Lily clicks her fingers. “Allow me.”

She turns and glides away to what appears to be a very extensive bar over to the side of the room stocked with all manner of kaleidoscopic bottles.

I look around.

No sign of the Headmistress.

Madonna’s Hung Up plays from speakers unseen as Ava leans over towards me and shouts in my ear. “Can’t help but notice your dear professor is a wolf tonight.”

I look over to where Damien was standing, but he’s gone. “He’s always been a wolf,” I reply.

“And yet,” says Ava, “I didn’t think wolves concerned themselves with the opinions of sheep.”

A valid point, but I’m too busy trying to find him to come up with a clever comeback.

“At least tell me he’s a good lay.”

I look to Ava surprised. “You feeling okay?” Because now I’m looking at her properly, she does seem a touch tipsy.

She shrugs. “Lils and I may have had a few pre-drinks.”

“How many?”

She holds up one finger, which becomes two and then three.

“Jesus,” I laugh.

“Evening, ladies!” We both turn to find Leo standing there in a white tux. He’s wearing a Loki mask, which also makes perfect sense. “Are we having fun yet?” he says, holding up a glass of some pearlescent golden liquid.

“Sure,” I answer cordially. I’d forgotten the poor guy actually existed.

“Woohoo!” Lily cheers, strolling back to our spot and passing a glass across to me with a rather darker liquid.

I hold it up to the light, which doesn’t make it any more appetizing. “What is it?”

Lily shrugs. “Peruvian penis juice? I don’t know, but I’ve got to go to the little girls’ room, so come on, drink up.”

I shake my head and start drinking, Lily reaching over to the bottom of the glass to tilt it up until I’ve drunken the whole, vile thing.

I give a light cough, tapping my chest as Lily takes the glass from me and places it onto a nearby table. She takes my hand and Ava’s, nodding to Leo. “See you soon.”

Lily drags us out of the ballroom and down the hall outside towards the lower bathrooms.

We enter alone, all three of us removing our masks at the row of mirrors, a light sheen of sweat on my forehead already.

Lily grips the side of the vanity. “Thing’s fucking hot. Now, I’ve got to pee.” She waddles off to a stall, Ava thumbing behind herself. “Likewise.”

I’m left alone at the mirror staring at myself and kind of shocked how different I look to that clumsy waitress from New York.

How far you have come, I tell myself.

What would Gran think if she could see me now? Sabrina? My parents?

The music from the ball is faint—just a light rumble along the walls and floor.

Ava returns to wash her hands, Lily emerging from the stall she entered.

That’s when I notice it.

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