Page 46 of The Kiss Of Death
Sylas strolled over to us with his charming, regal smile, wearing a classy beige ensemble. His approach was cut short by a group of women vying for his attention.
“You drink?” Yas asked.
“Oh no.” I shook my head. “Never in my life, ever again.”
“You both look great,” Sylas said as he finally joined us. “We never see you both during parties.”
“That’s because we’re like Wulver and Medusa,” Yas commented, probably referring to all the nights we spent reading, binge-watching a series, or studying. “Insociable beings.”
“Am I the folklorish wolf that wants to be left alone or the man-killer?” By sticking with Yas, I’d developed the ability to understand her references.
“Definitely the man-killer because of your big eyes,” Yas said. “On the contrary, I’m the one who only thinks about food.”
Sylas’s furrowed brows deepened.
“Um, Sylas…” I switched the subject. “I just saw this mission, and I’d like to participate.”
I showed him the picture of the “Mystery and Legacy” mission.
“You’re the only one who has asked me about it. The Unifiers’ fate lies in your hands.” Sylas’s eyes lingered on my lips. Perhaps I overdid it with my strawberry gloss, which was my mom’s favorite. “You’ll ace it, Dalia. I believe in you.”
I swallowed, my cheeks heating. “Thank you.”
“Can I get you a drink or—”
Suddenly, Sylas’s rowing teammates hugged him from behind, urging him toward the karaoke stage. As the crowd gathered around, Yas was swept into their dance circle. I laughed, clapping my hands for her, when my phone buzzed with a FaceTime call from my father. Panic climbed its way up my throat. This was the worst timing ever. He couldn’t know I was at a party.
I signaled to Yas that I’d be back and retreated to our dorm, snapping the door closed behind me. Quickly, I wiped off my gloss with my sleeve and tried to cover my shoulders by adjusting my top. “Hi, Dad, I’m so glad you—”
“Why are you dressed up at this hour of the day?” Dad interrupted, his stern face scrutinizing me through the screen. “Is that music in your dorm? Are you at a party, Dalia?”
My heart sank. “It’s not what you think, Dad. It’s just a small gathering with our house, and—”
“Did that roommate of yours drag you into this?” he accused. “I looked into her background, and she’s on scholarship. Not the best company you could keep.”
“Yasmine is great,” I defended. “She’s smart, and she’s a great friend. Being on scholarship is an honor.”
I sat on the bed, but my father remained silent. Disapproval was etched on his face, in the stern set of his jaw and the furrowed lines on his forehead.
“Look, Dad, I’m doing well here. I’m happy. It was just a gathering with the Unifiers to celebrate Sylas’s almost victory.”
His face softened. “Sylas, yes, he’s a good kid. Serious and respectful. I heard you’re spending quite some time with him?” When I frowned, he added, “Sylas’s father and I are close friends, and his son tells him everything.”
Everything?I gulped. Did Sylas tell my father about Levi? Was that why he was calling me? But if he knew, why was he so calm?
I displayed a faint, weak smile. “Yes, we’re friends.”
“And he also informed me of something rather concerning. It’s why I’m calling you,” my father said, and I held my breath.He knew about Levi and what happened on Hazing Night.Oh no—“Your choice of club. You’re not in the choir.”
He didn’t know. A wave of relief washed over me.
“I’m sorry, Dad, about the choir, but there was no place left, so I picked fencing and—”
“And you lied to me.” My father cut me off in his authoritative voice.
I had failed to tell him about it; that wasn’t lying.
“What about something like modern Greek or religion?”
