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I wanted to laugh, but Nash shoved the toe of her boot into my side before it could pass over my lips.

Stuffy assholes.

Elle grumbled her own frustration. “They’ve left us in the dark on the whole Messenger thing.”

Cyrus shook her head.

Another dead end.

How the fuck could we get rid of Rubin and protect Tess from his cult if fucking nobody had any answers?

Xander’s eyes darted to my forearm, examining my brand. “Do all of you have that?”

Nodding, Cyrus turned her head, revealing the raised skin beneath her buzzed hair.

Nash laughed. “I have it, but I’d have to strip to show you.”

Licking my lips, I looked over at Tess, whose eyes told me how badly she wanted to see Nash’s muscular legs.

Xander’s chest puffed out as she took a deep breath. “You’re not Oracle members, yet your symbols match. A sword with a purpose. A promise to each other. An oath of protection.”

Standing, Xander’s brow furrowed tight. “I’ve heard rumors of what you do at Feverpoint. The service you provide The Oracle. You don’t let them walk all over you. You exist beyond them. And you don’t take no for an answer.”

Cyrus rose from her perch. “Damn fucking right.”

Looking out the window toward Atwood’s campus, Xander’s gaze drifted. “This Messenger could take hold of everything in Valemont. It threatens all that we hold dear. Someone has to do something about it.”

“I can’t solve your problem.” Shaking her head, Xander took a step forward. “But I can help.”

“Yes.” I pumped my fist as the word hissed out. “Sorry.” Lifting my hand, I laughed.

Tess couldn’t help but giggle just behind me. That sound was enough to set my fucking whole being on fire. I’d do anything to hear her like that again.

“I’ll arrange a meeting between myself and The Oracle.” Xander crossed her hands over her center.

Scoffing, Nash stood up too. “How the fuck does that help us?”

Rather than be offended by Nash’s approach, Xander let a sinister smirk take over her face. “Because I won’t show up.”

Xander looked between us. “You will.”

47

TESS

As I smoothed the purple velvet of my dress, I still had no idea where exactly Xander was sending us. One minute, she had offered to set up some sort of meeting between us and the Oracle, and the next, we’d been sent a shopping list and a questionnaire on our sex lives.

What kind of favor does she think we’re asking for?

But at Cyrus’ urging, I’d reluctantly checked the boxes. And the next thing I knew, she’d ordered me a designer purple gown.

There was no denying the thing was gorgeous: the crushed violet cut in a straight line across my collarbone, hugging my every curve on the way to the floor. A high slit at my right thigh gave a peek of the chunky black platform sandals Cyrus had chosen for me: way more sensible than anything I got to wear at Velvet Paradise.

For a gown, it was surprisingly fitted to my style.

But despite the comfort of the shoes, there was room for improvement. A sheer purple shawl was the only cover I had against the cold thanks to the dress’ plunging back. Knowing Cyrus, I had a feeling that was by design.

Fucking asshole.