Page 32 of Dark Night Golden Dawn
Harlow was already walking away. “What things?” she asked without turning.
“You know what things, Harls.”
“No,” she said firmly as she walked away.
He trailed behind her as she walked home. He made no secret of following her, but he stayed a block back, and was staring at his phone every time she looked over her shoulder. She raced up the stairs to the terrace to see if he’d waited. He was standing by the street lamp, looking up. She waved, managing a wry smile. He nodded and then walked into the misty dark of the night.
Harlow knew they’d have to talk about it all eventually. One way or another that conversation was coming, but she would do whatever it took to keep her family and her Order from losing what was theirs, and she couldn’t have her feelings for Finn McKay screwing that up. She tossed and turned long into the night, worrying herself into shaky, dreamless sleep.
ChapterFifteen
Someone was hammering Harlow’s head with a mallet, beating her senseless. She thrashed, fighting them off, but they’d bound her in some sort of sack. A strangled scream, her own, woke her. She was tangled in her sheets, and someone was knocking loudly on her door. She glanced at her phone.
Seven missed calls from Enzo.
It was 11:45.
She’d slept through brunch.
And also apparently, three missed calls from the maters, one from Thea, two from Larkin, and a text message from Finn from ten minutes ago.
She read the text as she stumbled to the door.I’m all in for Solon Mai and this week, if you still are.
I am,she replied,then flung open the door to let Enzo in.
He was dressed in a tracksuit she recognized fromElegante Magazineas one he’d designed himself. The fabric was printed with dozens of golden snow leopards, with red stripes on the arms and legs, and his hair was in a ponytail.
“I like your outfit,” she said as she wiped sleep from her eyes. “Sorry I missed our date. Finn and I were up late.”
“If you spill quickly, I won’t strangle you for missing brunch,” Enzo said, perching on her kitchen counter.
Harlow knew from experience it was best to comply immediately. She yawned as she filled the kettle with water. “Well, you know he took me and Larkin home from the Statuary party, right?”
Enzo nodded as she put the kettle on the stove. He wasn’t going to say a word until she’d told him everything.Close to the truth as you can get it, she reminded herself. She hated to lie to Enzo, but too much was on the line.
“He stayed and we watched a movie… and there were sparks. But I kind of freaked out. I called him to see if we could try to work things out and we talked for a long time.”
“And?”
She poured hot water over a pot of Empress Grey leaves, sprinkling lavender buds and a spoonful of honey in for good measure. It wasn’t Duke and Duchess, but it was close enough.
“And I think we’re in a better place. We’ll see how things go.”
“Did he apologize for everything?”
She shook her head. “No, but I think you’re right that he’s changed.”
That was all the truth at least. She hadn’t really lied, not yet. Shedidthink he’d changed. It’s why she’d called him at all, why she’d come up with this terrible plan. Because deep in her heart, she knew there were worse things than being paired with Finn McKay, even if he didn’t love her, even if his parents werehis parents. Like the Order of Night destroying the balance of the world. That would definitely be worse.
Her phone vibrated. Finn. Enzo saw and smiled. “What’s Mr. McKay have to say this morning?”
Harlow read the text and blushed.
“Well?”
“He says he hopes you have something indecent planned for my Solon Mai gown.”
“That’sexactlywhat he said?” Enzo asked with a grin.
