Page 155 of The Tribrid Princess and the Taste of Chaos
I turn as I spot Shahira. She’s wearing a long, champagne-coloured dress, with her matching hijab wrapped around her head stylishly. Her earrings are peeking out, adding a touch of dazzling blue to her outfit. Her eyeliner is also a vibrant blue.
“Wow, you look amazing!” I say to her as she hugs me.
“Thanks, look at you! You all look beautiful.” She smiles at Allie and Heaven, who both thank her, and Heaven compliments her.
“If you beautiful ladies are done?” I turn to see Renji. “Hey, hey, Happy Birthday once again, and I have to say you all look great. Blue is my favourite colour,” he adds, winking at Shahira, whose eyes go as wide as mine.
Did Renji just flirt with Shahira?
She simply smiles, her cheeks tinting pink.
“Whoa, ease up on the flirting, Renji,” Allie warns. “This is why I don’t like parties. Too many hormones and flirting and sex.”
Renji laughs as Shahira smiles, fiddling with the cuff of her long, fitted sleeves. “Excuse me, I’m going to get a drink,” she says softly.
“Me too,” Allie says, reminding me of Grandpa Al.
I giggle as they walk off.
“So, where’s Jayce?” Renji asks, shoving his hands into hispockets.
My smile disappears. “What? Isn’t he here?”
“No…” Renji says, his expression now serious, before he grins once again. “You know what? You enjoy the party. I’ll find out where he is, alright?” But the way his expression dropped seconds earlier has left me feeling worried and uneasy.
Why isn’t Jayce here?
“Sienna, hey, Happy Birthday.” I look up to see Seth smiling at me.
Gods, not now.
“Thank you,” I say, forcing a small smile.
He looks between Heaven and Renji. “Mind if I steal you for a dance?” he asks.
“Umm, I don’t really want to dance, but I’d like to talk?” I say, might as well get this over with.
“Ok…” Renji says. “Come on, Heaven, let’s go find someone else to annoy.”
Heaven glances at me, her eyes asking if I’ll be ok. I give her the smallest nod before she whispers a spell, and I feel it skim around us. She’s given us privacy, so I don’t need to go anywhere alone with him.
Gods, I love this girl.
“Sienna, look-”
“No, Seth. Let me speak,” I say, taking a deep breath as the song changes to a slow romantic one. “I know you still have feelings for me, but I have moved on. I’m in love with someone else. I’m sorry.”
He frowns slightly. “No, I mean you never gave me a reason,you just ended-”
“I was going through a lot, Seth. I was young, emotional, confused, upset, scared, angry. I couldn’t control my powers; I was scared I’d hurt someone.”
“And what if you hurt him- Jayce Westwood, it’s him, right? What if you hurt him? Doesn’t that count? I know you’re still struggling with your powers.”
That stings.
I sigh. “Yes. I am. But he pushed his way through the barriers I built. He’s helping me control them. He’s strong enough to handle me. He’s the one for me,” I whisper. I feel panic rising. My emotions are going to spiral. Where is Jayce? Something is wrong. That’s why he didn’t reply to my messages.
Heaven has our phones in her bag; I need to find her-
