Page 29 of House of Demons and Bones

“His prowess in bed is legendary,” Eva said, making Lola giggle.

“Once he ordered some bimbo to go down on me so he could get off by watching. I decked her when she grabbed for my groin. Couldn’t risk anyone discovering nothing there.”

Cami snickered. Bea widened her eyes. Eva and Lola sat there, practically salivating over the gossip. And Drusilla’s eyes dimmed.

Then it dawned on me that I was the only one who’d had a front row seat watching the vampire prince’s private performances, feeding habits and all.

“Where were we,” Cami asked, “before we got lost in the dick jokes?”

“We were discussing the mystery woman who claimed to be Barbie’s bestie,” Lola offered. “Someone called Sy.”

Sy preened at the mention of her name.I’m the mystery woman.

“Who’s Sy?” Bea demanded. “If she’s Barbie’s friend, I’d have met her a long time ago.” Guilt slammed into my face at her words. She zeroed in on me. “Or did you make a new friend while I went to get Nana? Another bride candidate?”

“Not a candidate,” Cami said flatly. “She showed up at X Palace as Rowan’s plus-one.”

“Strutting around like she thought she was a ten,” Eva chimed in.

Sy bristled.I’m a ten.

“At least she put Princess Grace in her place,” Drusilla said. “Called her out for being a Barbie copycat, then berated her for not copying Sy herself.” She raised an eyebrow. “Where were you, Barbie? You never skip a feast.”

“Healing,” I said. “I had a run-in with some Shriekers.”

“We heard,” Cami said.

“Are you alright?” Bea’s voice softened with worry.

“Good as new.”

Bea’s jaw tightened. “So this Sy, your supposed best friend, tried to tank your reputation by telling everyone you don’t wash your butt?” Old anger bubbled up in me as she spoke. “It’s the worst kind of hit job, Barbie. Our foes are running wild with it on social media. They’re trying to get the heirs to dump you. Who wants a bride with questionable hygiene? And it might actually work this time.”

Everyone stared at Bea as realization sank in.

“Shit,” Drusilla said. “Got a plan to save Barbie’s reputation of questionable hygiene?”

I growled at Sy.What else did you say and do at the party?

I’d been slumbering, not wanting to see Killian with his two women draped over him. Since he owned X Palace, I’d assumed that he’d parade them around like trophies.

I was trying to help,Sy protested.

You weren’t helping,I said.You just made another mess for me to clean up. Like always.

Why do you keep blaming me for your every failure?she fired back.

Thanks to you, I’m literally the butt of the joke.

You lied about daily baths,she said.Remember when that shifter prince caught your scent and shouted at you, “You stink, Little Bob!”?

I was running from the vampire hordes and had a skirmish with my attackers that day before I could sneak into anyone’s place to shower,I yelled at her.And who scrubs their ass 24/7?

If it helps, we’re goddess-grade clean by default,she said with a bored yawn.

“No one knows anything about Sy,” Cami said, “except Rowan, and he’s not talking. She vanished right after turning every male’s head at that party, like a ghost in the night. Academy security has been sniffing around since we’ve had a few breaches lately. The sixth house launched their own investigation after multiple witnesses reported Sy threatening Princess Grace at X Palace.”

My heart skipped a beat. Queen Lilith was behind it. Had she caught on to the connection between Sy and me? I couldn’t afford to let her discover and endanger Sy.

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