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“Really? You think so?” I was dubious. But I supposed I should be glad my cousin still had some idealism left.

“We’re going to have to be careful, Blake,” Theo said softly.“Those assholes think nepotism, fangs, and muscles equal real authority.”

“If Regan purposely brought in some of Marcus’s dumbass friends, things could get ugly,” I agreed. “They were never too bright to begin with.” With the amount of Crimson Ambrosia they drank and other shit they did, it was no wonder. I thought of something: Maybe that was how Regan had gotten them to come. Had she bribed them? “They’ll be drunk with power in a few days. Did Regan say anything to you about what she has planned?”

Theo shook his head. “No. And I’m sure it’s not her plan—it’s Viktor’s. Besides, it’s not me I’m worried about. It’s Vaughn.”

Theo’s boyfriend was over in House Orphos. “I’m sure Lysander will keep a careful watch on his house,” I said.

“Have you talked to him about Lunaya?”

“Only briefly.”

“What exactly did you tell him?” Theo asked curiously. “You didn’t tell him everything, did you?” He lowered his voice. “You know, about the … d-word?”

I laughed. “Is that what we’re calling them now? I mean, a fucking dragon is missing from the Dragon Court. Lysander would have figured it out eventually.”

Theo looked dubious. “Would he? You didn’t tell Viktor or Regan exactly what happened, right?”

“Fuck no,” I practically shouted. I cleared my throat. “Lysander is different. He has a good head on his shoulders.”

Theo raised his eyebrows.

“What?” I demanded.

Theo snickered. “Just not something I expected to hear you say after the role he played in the Tribunal at the start of last term.”

I flushed. Lysander had basically suggested we all let Pendragon walk free. “He’s still a little too idealistic for my tastes.”

“Let her lead her life as she sees fit,” Theo mused. “I believe those were his exact words.”

“Were they?” I frowned. “I didn’t take notes.”

“I have a good memory,” Theo said with a grin. “And it isn’t as farfetched an idea as you seemed to think at the time. Besides, isn’t that exactly what’s happening now, anyways?”

I thought for a moment. Pendragon in House Avari. Pendragon punching me in the face the day before without any repercussions. “There have certainly been some changes,” I said carefully.

Theo hooted. “I’d say so—in you!”

I rubbed my eyes. Theo didn’t know the half of it. “Fine. Laugh it up.”

Theo watched me. “You sleeping all right?”

“Define all right.” My dreams were all red ones. Full of blood and scales. So no, I wasn’t sleeping well.

“Nightmares?” He quickly looked away, setting his cup down on the table. “I’ve had my share of those.”

I examined him. My cousin looked a lot like me in some ways. Same sharply cut cheekbones, same gray eyes, same old blood in our veins. But there were differences. His jaw was softer, his mouth a little less.… well, cruel, I guess. His hair was duskier than mine, more like dark honey. He’d grown it out and taken to wearing it in a bun. He had it piled in a messy knot on his head now.

If Viktor could see Theo right now, he’d probably give his nephew a jaw-cracking slap. Thank the Bloodmaiden the old bastard wasn’t around. My jaw tightened. Only his proxy, Regan.

My gaze dropped to Theo’s hand. His fingers gripped the side of the couch tightly.

There was tension in him, hovering in the air between us, unspoken and heavy. And we hadn’t even broached the word wolf yet.

“Aenia.” We both spoke at the same time.

I swallowed. My little sister. His cousin. His kill.