Page 130 of Seeking Shadows

“I don’t know,” I say, grabbing a macaron. “A lot of disgusting people here, but also a lot of good cooks. I’d be sad if the chef died.”

“Good observation,” he nods approvingly.

“Not a good observation,” a new voice cuts in.

Bubbles appears, arms crossed, her face set in that familiar look of concern.

“Youcan’tjust go around killing people because you’re bored,” she says, horrified.

“But youshouldbe able to,” Pinocchio counters.

Bubbles sighs.

I take a bite of my macaron, thinking. “What if we set up a voting system? Everyone picks someone who makes no difference to the world.”

“That seems fair,” Pinocchio nods.

Bubbles groans, pressing her hands to her face.

“You two are impossible.”

“You’re just tooproper.”

She ignores me. “Do you evenknowwho these people are?”

I shrug. Probably just a bunch of sleazy men who support Nico’s cause. It wouldn’t make a difference if they died.

“I don’t need to know someone to know they’re a disgusting mobster.”

Pinocchio points at me, like I just said the most brilliant thing in the world.

“See? She gets it.”

“You’rechildren,” Bubbles mutters, exasperated.

I laugh. “That’s hilarious coming fromyou.”

Before she can retort, a shrill voice cuts through the air:

“You are sostrange.”

I look up.

A blonde girl—probably from the elite, judging by her designer dress andI’m-better-than-youexpression—stares at me in open disgust.

Oh.

She saw.

Pinocchio and Bubbles glance at me, silently asking what I’m going to do.

I smile.

Before I can even open my mouth—

“She’s not talking to you.”

Zane’s voice slices through the air like a blade.

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