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“What’s the worst lie you’ve ever told?” Sirena barked.
She was barking everything by that point. She was down to two full mugs, while I had four. None of us had taken a punishment so far because each was more disgusting than the last. Sirena gave me the option to piss myself, and I told her to lick the slimy green algae off the lake rocks.
Fact was, I had the best mom in the world and never went through a rebellious phase. Why, when Mom was usually right there with me, kicking off the trouble? There wasn’t much for me to be ashamed or embarrassed about in my life—although she kept hunting for something—which left me zero reason to lie.
Sirena, on the other hand, had a reputation she was entirely too fond of, and she kept lying rather than telling the truth about the first person she gave a blow job, her most embarrassing act, or her deepest insecurity.
One thing was sure. Win or lose, Sirena would never challenge me to this game again.
“My worst lie. I shoplifted lip gloss from a store on a dare. My mom found it, asked where I got it, and I lied and said a friend bought it for me.” I tossed the rock from hand to hand—smug as hell and loving it. I winked. “Am I lying?”
“Truth,” she gritted.
“My turn.” I tossed her the stone. “Sirena, why do you keep lying and telling people you’re going to marry Alexander Damien when you know he isn’t the least bit interested in you?”
Her expression changed.
I dove for the ground, hitting the dirt as a wyvern claw swiped the spot I’d been in, knocking the mugs from the table in a shower of ale and glass.
“Game over.”
Ionna, Daciana, and Theron helped me up as Sirena grabbed Alex’s hand and stormed off, taking her harpy parade with her. The crowd quickly dispersed with nothing more to see.
“Dare I ask who won?” Daciana put me on my feet and dusted me off.
“We won,” Ionna said. “Aella put herself through that so Sirena couldn’t force us away like Sisypheans don’t have the same right to be here as she does. That’s the first time I’ve ever seen anyone put her in her place.” She bumped hips with me. “Well done.”
“Thanks, but it doesn’t feel like a victory.” I squeezed Daciana’s hand. “She didn’t apologize to you or agree to back off about the dresses.”
“That’s okay. A pack doesn’t have to win every fight. They just have to fight together.” She reached for Theron’s hand too. “Thank you. To have one pack is a right. To have two is an honor.”
“That’s what we do.” Ionna pulled us all in for a hug. “We’re friends. We stand up for each other. Always.”
Over her shoulder, my smile melted away. I had friends. Two best friends in the whole world. They said all the same things too.
Doesn’t matter if Ionna means it or not. You’re here to rescue Mom. When she’s free, we’re going home. Getting our lives back.
Movement caught my eye.
Alex had broken away from Sirena and made for the tree line. He met my eyes before disappearing into the shadows.
“You guys go and enjoy yourself now,” I heard myself say. “I’m going to find Dimitri, buy that River Lethe stuff, and try to forget that the entire class now knows I’m a booger-eating virgin.”
Laughing, they sent me off.
Casual as ever, I slipped into the trees twenty feet from where Alex did, calling Nitsa’s name. Anyone listening or looking should think I was searching for my friend. Only when the party noise faded did I give up the ruse.
Veering right, I picked up the search for Alex. I wished there’d been a chance to discuss exactly where we’d be meeting. It’d been such a bizarre start to our first date. I was ready to fall into his arms while he told me I looked beautiful and kissed me until the world spun.
A gnarled branch of a dryad stuck her head out from behind a tree, glaring at me.
“I don’t like you much either,” I muttered, “but can I get points for not kissing you?”
She hissed.
“Fine. Then what if I said Iwillkiss you unless you tell me where I can find the handsome, young, powerful demigod that’s waiting somewhere close by?”
I was expecting the stick that bounced off my forehead. “Have it your way.”
