Page 9 of Ira

It was too late now, of course. My roommates or my co-workers at the bar had probably filed some kind of missingperson report by now since I’d vanished with no explanation. There was no going back.

“Aren’t you glad, though?” Verity asked, beaming. “What an adventure. If I was at home, I’d be weeping over my credit card bill, before online shopping to make myself feel better, and then weeping a little more. This issomuch better.”

I gave her what I hoped was a convincing look of agreement, nodding my head. “Of course.”

I mean, I certainly couldn’t argue with the financial perks. It was like being on a permanent vacation compared to life in the human realm, where I’d been building up my doula business, as well as doing casual bar work to try and claw my way out of a debt I’d never be able to pay off, and was still living with roommates.

But I hadn’tcomehere.

I’descapedhere.

Walking into the dining hall in the palace always gave me flashbacks to the high school lunch cafeteria, and I hoped Verity didn’t notice me holding on a little tighter to her arm. Even though I’d gone to school with other local Hunters, I’d never sat with them at lunch. I’d sat by myself in my thrifted clothes and worn-out shoes, and did my absolute best to be invisible.

Even at the mostly human public schools, the Hunters had always been the popular kids. The Council was very generous to the families they deemed worthy, and those kids had always arrived each morning in their late-model cars and expensive outfits, and acted like they didn’t know I existed, even though we’d often be forced into group activities together at evening training.

Sitting with Verity and Tallulah felt a bit like being invited to the cool kids’ table for the first time in my life—though Verity’s family background was more like mine, so maybe she was just better at faking it. Or maybe even the posh asshole Huntershad accepted her, because she was beautiful and charming and hilarious company.

Tallulah had definitely been one of the cool kids—she was from the Thibaut family. Even though Verity was the flirtatious one, it was Tallulah that greeted every Shade who came over to our table and made small talk with them, and somehow made all the introductions even though we’d been here the same amount of time and should have theoretically known all the same Shades.

“Ooh look, Astrid’s here,” Verity said, not bothering to keep her voice down.

Astrid flashed her a slightly impatient look from the side exit she’d stationed herself at, probably resenting the fact that Verity had drawn attention to her. If Verity and Tallulah were the popular girls, then Astrid was the cool alt girl who’d smoked in the parking lot, had an ironic smiley face tattoo behind her ear, and drove a muscle car.

What did that make the Shade guys who were already crowding around our table, angling themselves to show off their horns at the best angle? Jocks?

I hastily took a sip of my tea before I snorted out loud and drew attention to myself.

Verner wasn’t a jock,I thought idly. He was more like the older, artsy, aloof guys I’d always crushed on in my teenage years. Quiet and kind of mysterious, and seemingly above the petty drama of their peers. Not that I had a crush on him, because I didn’t do that kind of thing anymore, but that’s just who he reminded me of.

“You look very lovely this morning, Meera,” a Shade said, sitting down next to me and angling his body toward me rather than the table full of food. “I trust your night was restful?”

I stared blankly for a moment, translating his formal words into something my pleb brain could process. “Um, yes. I slept well, thanks. You?”

Had we met before? I had to assume so, since he wasn’t introducing himself. It really would make my life a lot easier if they wore nametags, but I guess it’d be hard to pin anything to the shadows they wore as clothing.

“Unfortunately, I worked the night shift last night. I’m just stopping by to get some breakfast—and say hello to you, of course—before I head down to the barracks to sleep.”

If Shades winked, he would have definitely winked.

“Well, that’s very kind,” I said awkwardly, busying myself with my tea and the small serving of stewed fruit that had been put specifically at our table.

The mysterious Shade nodded to himself. “My kindness is much noted upon here at court.”

I didn’t really know what to say to that, so I focused on sipping my tea and making up a small plate of assorted items to take over to Astrid before I left.

“There’s been talk of a ball soon.”

I startled, realizing the Shade was still speaking. “A ball?”

“Yes. One in the old style, where we ask another to cloak us in shadows for the evening. It’s very romantic—a true sign of trust and affection to let someone drape you in their shadows.”

Don’t freak out,I told myself firmly.If you freak out, you’ll start stinking like a skunk.

“Perhaps you would be open to wearing my shadows to—”

Whoever he was didn’t even get the question out before he was wrinkling his nose, rearing back so quickly that he knocked the Shade next to him half off the bench.

Verity leaned around me, a mischievous grin on her face. “Sorry, buddy. I think that might be a no.”

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