Page 105 of Bone Year

“Honestly, no idea. But there’s only one way to find out.” Lux winks at me, and I can’t help but smile. Now I know exactly what I’m doing when we get back to the school.

By the third round, Lux is venting about her father and how he expects perfection in everything because she carries his name. How she can never fail quietly. It always has to be a public disappointment. She’s wound tight about the upcoming midterms, terrified of letting him down even though she’d never admit that’s what scares her most.

Ellavee doesn’t seem stressed about midterms at all. She’s far more interested in her ongoing mission to seduce Killian, who she has confirmed is only friends with Zuri, nothing more.

“Thank the gods,” she says, swirling her drink. “The last thing we need is another angel pissed off at us.”

“Speaking of angels.” I pick at the edge of my glass. “Do you think Jace will ever speak to me again?”

Our waiter drops off a platter of cubed cheeses, cured meats, and crusty bread for us to pick at. Ellavee doesn’t hesitate.

“Definitely not,” she laughs, popping a cube of cheese into her mouth.

Lux bumps her with her shoulder. “Ellavee.”

“What? She said she wanted the truth.”

“It’s fine.” I snort, reaching for a piece of bread. “I’d rather know where I stand than pretend there’s hope.”

The tavern doors swing open, letting in a gust of cold air and two very familiar figures. Malric and Draven push through the entrance, a woman draped on each of their arms. The girls are polished and pretty, the kind of effortless beauty that makes you want to hate them on principle.

I must make a face because both Ellavee and Lux turn to see who walked in.

“Gods.” Lux shudders visibly. “I still can’t believe you let that bite you.”

“I can.” Ellavee shrugs, tearing off a piece of crusty bread. “He may be a complete bastard, but he’s objectively attractive, in a slimy, ‘I’d rather stab myself’ kind of way.”

“Your standards are terrifying,” Lux mutters.

“My standards are flexible. There’s a difference.”

I watch them settle at the bar, facing our direction, but neither of them seems to have noticed us tucked away at our little table in the back. The tavern is crowded tonight, and I find myself sinking lower in my chair, hoping to stay invisible when I notice Malric has three long red marks down one side of his neck, like something scratched him.

“Do you recognize those girls they’re with?” I ask, trying to sound casual and failing miserably.

“They definitely don’t go to Ashwell.” Lux peeks over her shoulder. “Interesting.”

“It’s not interesting.” I tear my eyes away from them. “I don’t care what he does.”

“Sure you don’t.” Ellavee is smirking at me now, that knowing look I hate. “That’s why you’re gripping your glass hard enough to shatter it.”

I look down. She’s right. I force my fingers to loosen.

“Wait.” Lux’s eyes go wide. “Do you like Malric? I thought you said it was a mistake.”

“We’re not talking about Malric.” Ellavee rolls her eyes. “Keep up, Lux. We’re talking about Draven.”

“Draven?” Lux whips her head toward the bar and then back to me. “Since when is Draven on the table?”

“He’s not on the table,” I snap. “There is no table. I don’t even own a table.”

“And yet you can’t stop staring at him.” Ellavee pops another piece of cheese in her mouth, looking far too pleased with herself. “I recognize the dark-haired girl. She works at the inn down the street. Very friendly, if you catch my meaning.”

“Draven has a type apparently.” Lux grins.

“I said I don’t care.”

“And I said, ‘Sure you don’t.’”