DeidreI had accompanied Salindra back to my office at the infirmary after Nael, Justin, and Ethan stomped off, presumably over some disagreement with Gowan. I left Jason and Mark behind to figure out what had gone wrong, noting the uncomfortable stiffness and intention of Mark to look anywhere but at Salindra.At first, Salindra had offered a small smile and willingly accepted my offer for afternoon tea back to my office. Cynthia had outdone herself over the lavish display of desserts, finger sandwiches, and porcelain that now sat upon my desk. And I had to admit that I was relieved. I wasn’t quite sure why; I was Luna of this pack. But something about Salindra’s… well, nothing wasn’t sitting right about her. She was different. Not that I had been close with her before. Goddess knows she only tolerated me out of respect for her late friend and the office I now held. But I don’t think she had ever forgiven me for the pain I put Mistra through. Not that I had intended ever to hurt anyo

Kira“Are you ready?” Perrin’s voice called through my bedroom door. Given the last forty-eight hours, I had taken to locking it. Between him and my brother checking in on me every twenty minutes, it was a miracle I could go to the bathroom by myself. But the door wasn’t locked now, Perrin trying to show me at least some modicum of courtesy.“Almost,” I called back.“Can I come in?”“You haven’t bothered knocking once today. Why start now?”He opened the door without pause. “You clean up nice.”“Gee, thanks.” I finished pinning back my hair, turning my cheek this way and that to check for any stray pieces. Who was I kidding? My hair was as wild as if I had rode my motorcycle without my helmet, blonde wavy strands sticking out this way and that. I turned to face him, checking my heels in the mirror in the process. “Hey, any chance you know where my keys are?”Perrin squinted in confusion. “You’re not trying to ride your bike in that, are you?” He gestured at my black cocktail dress tha

PERRINWhatever type of friendship was blooming between Kira and Ben, I didn’t know. I always had the feeling that they didn’t quite like each other. But when Ben showed up without Kira a few minutes later, I followed after him to the bar.“Coke please,” he said, leaning on the counter. He saw me, then stood up quickly and held his hands up as if in surrender. “Don’t worry. It’s just coke.”I smiled dismissively, eyebrows furrowing. “I’m not here to babysit you. You can handle yourself.” He snorted in acknowledgement, raising his glass in my honor. “Are you feeling better?” I asked. I anticipated that his private moment with Kira had something to do with their shared… situation.“Not really,” he replied sourly. “Speaking of, where is Kira?” I looked around.His face contorted into a sneer. “Damned if I know.”“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, stepping towards him. He didn’t back away, but it was as if something inside him snapped and he realized the tone he used with me.“She…

PerrinThe lobby was packed with people.I held Lo’s hand gently in mind as I wound our way past the hotel guests, snaking through the crowd that seemed to be taking a break from the ballroom and dancing. “Seriously, why are there so many people?” I muttered, gently tugging Lo behind me. The last place I wanted to be was surrounded by so many people; inundated by so many scents that weren’t her.“Leila?”I stopped dead, but Lo apparently didn’t want to have anything to do with her mother, pulling up to my side and then ahead of me, yanking my hand. How they got out here; away from the dancing so quickly was beyond me. “Leila!” We weren’t moving fast enough. I watched Lo’s shoulders slump as she turend to face her mother. Salindra’s arm was looped through Nael’s arm. Lo tensed, the passion that had lit a fire in her eyes just moments before now extinguished to a dull simmer. “Hello, mother.”Salindra walked forward and grabbed Lo’s shoulders with her hands, gently kissing each of he

Inside the Archives The beeswax candles flickered on the walls, casting shadows deep into the shelves and stone. “Did anyone see you leave?” asked a voice. “No, I don’t think so,” replied a second voice. “There are too many bodies in that room for anyone to notice, anyway,” mused a third. A chuckle rippled from the first voice. “My new fiancee can be good for something, I guess.” The other two laughed in agreement before the first spoke again. “Is he coming?” “I’m honestly not sure,” said the third. “Most of the Aperture vehicles were all occupied this evening. I’m not sure he could get a ride from the infirmary over here.” The first clicked his tongue in disapproval but nodded. “A car would have been too obvious anyway.” “Is he really going to stay here?” Asked the second. The first smiled, the shadows the candles cast on his face etching deep lines into his face. “He is. I had a chance to speak to him earlier today.” “And will he cooperate?” Pushed the second. The first el