Page 40 of House of Lilith

Right now, I’ve no intention of joining Nikolay and Hilde’s conversation. Still, their low but lively chatter provides such a pleasant background and allows me to observe the people around me in peace. I watch two groups, one Grimm and one Fiain, push two tables together so they can hang out while eating.

It makes me smile. It’s been almost a month since the First Game and the Academy is buzzing with people who’ve already put the unpleasantness behind them. At least judging by the way they’re mingling, I think as I fix my eyes on one of the Fiains leaning to say something to one of the Grimms. She throws her head back in laughter.

Oh I wish the Second Game wasnow,I think to myself, excitement flooding my body at the very thought. Right now, at least judging by the bets, people are rooting for either Max or Howe. But I'll be changing their minds if it's the last thing I do.

As I think that, my eye gets drawn to one of the Fiains, a tall, muscled guy, getting up to go grab something. And for a second, I think it’s Howe. And my heart skips a beat and then keeps violently pounding in my chest, leaving me confused by the intensity of the reaction.

In the past two months, I’ve learned it’shisfox all the Fiains have tattooed. I’ve been hearing girls talk about him in hushed voices. I’ve even seen his name on a bathroom wall.Dahrian Howe is the best lay ever, said the writing with hearts dotting the Is.

But I’ve only seen him a couple of times, from a distance. He doesn’t seem to have any classes with me and we haven’t exchanged a single word since I showed him around the Academy.

So why do I keep fearing I’ll bump into him?

I shake my head and force myself to shift my attention back onto brother and Hilde. The two of them seem to be talking about the next challenge.

“I think there will have to be monsters in the next one,” Nikolay says with conviction on his face and grease around his mouth. “Like that giant sea snake they found on Lord Hartmann’s estate.” And he takes another bite of his chicken leg.

Hilde glances between the two of us, unease written all over her face. “I don’t know about that.” Must be terrified at the very thought, considering she’s not being as eager to agree as usual. “It’s hard to get a license to use a creature like that nowadays. What doyouthink, Nyx?” she asks with a plea in her eyes.

“Ithink,” I say as I push my plate away and start getting up, “my guess won’t get you any closer to the right answer whatsoever. But I really need to get going.”

“Where are you running off to?” Nikolay asks with a frown. “I thought we’d play Shufflesnake.”

“I’m helping Max train and then I have some work to do.”

“Isn’t this your first day off in like forever?” he insists.

I roll my eyes and then throw him a sour smile. “Not having classes or formal dinners to attend doesn’t mean I can just spend the rest of the day getting stoned and playing video games.”

“Fuck,” he says in a mocking voice, “you’re so funny, sis. Please, would you do another bit for us?”

I just shake my head, wave to Hilde and walk out of the cafeteria.

Itismy day off, I think as I start making my way to Max’s quarters in Lilith Tower. It’s part of the reason I’m excited, having an entire afternoon for myself. As soon as I’m done training with Max, I’ll go back to the Library and pick up where I left off with my research.

Tingles rush up my spine as I think about the last thing I realized, that day in Uncle’s class.

Hell yes, I think as I walk down the Entrance Hall. Today, I’ll be checking if it’s really true. That our family didn’t have a leader for two whole years after the Umbrage.

Fucking can’t wait.

But just as I come to a stop in front of the Elevator, my phone pings.

A text from Nikolay. “Forgot what day it is today. Would you mind going to the party without me?”

I frown. “What party?”

As soon as I start reading the reply, my blood pressure goes through the roof. “Howe’s having a party at their camp tonight. I told him we’d come.”

For a second, I have trouble articulating everything that’s wrong with this. But then I start furiously typing a reply. “You can’t sign me up for something without asking me first, Nikolay. Besides, this buddy thing is your responsibility, not mine.”

“Fine, then we won’t go,” he types back. “Some of the guys from Lefevre are coming to Bloodholm tonight. I need to be there.”

That makes me blow out a frustrated breath. “No, you need to be at that party because there needs to be at least one Romanov there. We were asked by the fucking Pied Piper herself to help keep the peace, Nikolay.”

“I’m aware, thanks, but why can’t it be you, Nyx?” he types. “You know where their camp is and you know how I feel about the lake, don’t you?”

“The mermaids have signed a binding contract. There won’t be a single peep from them.”

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