Page 70 of Dance of Ruin

“How’s she doing?” Lyra continues, clearly trying to change the subject as she tugs at the neckline of her hoodie to cover the mark.

“She’s good,” I nod. “Resting. Bossing people around already.”

Milena grins. “Of course she is.”

We laugh, and it feels… normal. Which feels good, after my giant dose ofnotnormal, courtesy Nico Barone.

“I still can’t believe it,” Evelina murmurs. “I mean, someone actually tried tokillher. That’sinsane.”

“Not that insane,” Milena says, her tone blunt. “We live in a world, Evie, where our families have serious enemies. We forget that until shit like this happens.”

Evelina’s brow furrows. “I didn’tforget.”

Milena softens. “Just saying,solnishka… It’s easy enough to pretend we’re all normal bunheads until something goes boom.”

The whole group of us goes silent for a couple of long seconds.

Lyra glances at her phone and groans. “Shit, it’s almost time. I need another shot of espresso before I can face Kuzmina today.”

Milena arches a brow, nodding at the cup in Lyra’s hand. “How many of those bad boys have you had today?”

Lyra shrugs, running her hand through her red hair. “I dunno. A…few? I didn’t get much sleep last night.”

“And why isthat?” I tease with a grin.

She shoots me a look, her face reddening. “Nothing,” she mumbles. “I just had…things to do.”

“Yeah, more like had thingsdoneto you,Mrs. Barone,” Milena snickers.

Lyra flips her off, still blushing as the rest of us crack up.

“I’ll come with,” Evelina pipes up.

“Me too,” Milena says, brushing past Evelina and jerking a thumb at her. “Can’t let this one order another lavender-mocha-unicorn nightmare.”

“Hey, Ilikethat drink,” Evelina mumbles.

“I know,” Milena tosses over her shoulder. “But it’s like giving a toddler a bag of pure sugar, which is why we’re banning it.” She turns to me. “You coming?”

I shake my head. “I’m just going to chill here before the sadism starts.”

“Want anything?”

“Uhh… Maybe an oat milk latte?” I ask.

The moment they’re gone, I feel a presence behind me. For a second, I stiffen, smelling a hint of masculine scent mixed with tobacco. My heart lurches as I whirl. Instantly, the breath whooshes out of me.

“Uh… What the fuck wasthat?” Vaughn says, lifting a brow questioningly at me.

I shake my head. “Nothing… You just startled me, I guess.”

“Well, Iamquite startling.”

I roll my eyes. Then my brows pull together in confusion.

“Wait: where did you come from?”

Vaughn shoves his fingers through his hair. “Think you know the answer isno fucking idea. But I do know wherever it was, they broke the mold, baby girl.”

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