Adeline Killingsworth stepped out of the black armored SUV and started covering the few yards between her and the entrance. Laughing, the clinking of silverware, and the heavy bass of the song playing filled the stuffy night air.

No one gave her a second glance—just another pretty face with curled hair and carefully applied makeup in a sea of perfect plastic people.

Click, click, click. The steady rhythm of her heels rang in her ears as she walked up the wide stone path that led inside. There was little room to walk, but Adeline pushed her way through, uncaring of the remarks aimed her way.

Serena stood by the massive ice stallion, hair pulled into an elaborate updo, soft curls framing her perfect face. Blue eyes contrasted with black hair that sometimes appeared a dark purple and pale skin.And the blue dress she wore now complimented this and showed her slender figure. As usual, a host of adoring fans and suck-ups surrounded her, who she would feed off of until nothing of value to her remained.

Typical of your type.

“Hey, cutie,” a guy said, reaching for her arm and giving a grin that made her skin crawl.

She kept walking, clenching her jaw to keep from retorting or doing something much more drastic.

“Isn’t that the youngest Killingsworth?” someone asked.

A murmur spread through the crowd like a ripple. After the well-known Killingsworth tragedies, the powerful family had faded from the public eye, keeping to themselves. What was one of them doing here now?

Surprise flashed across Serena’s face just for a second before smugness took its place. But that second had been enough for Adeline.

“Oh hello, Adeline!” She smiled too brightly and waved.

“Just come to let Rhys know how happy I am for his success,” Adeline said, forcing her face to mimic Serena’s.

“You’re so sweet!”

“Thank you. It’s been a while—I missed you.” A lie.

The people who had been so interested just moments before gradually drifted away, attention on someone else more relevant and important.

Adeline drew closer to Serena, who stared coldly at her.

“Why are you really here? We both know you’re lying.”

“Rhys was really good in that movie.” Adeline shrugged, but then leaned in, struggling to keep her voice low and even. “Your family took everything. And now it’s time to return the favor.”

She turned on her heel and shoved her way straight for the exit.

Tonight marked the beginning of the downfall of the Craybons.

ONE WEEK EARLIER, WEDNESDAY

The side of Adeline's head throbbed with the steady tik tik tik of the clock. Blue bled across its crystal face and dripped down the wall, paint frozen inches from the baseboard. As a young girl, she had wondered what made the clock so sad it cried; these days, she just wanted to know whose stupid idea it had been.

Steam drifted from the mug cradled in her hands, carried away by the soft breath of the air conditioner. Who knew the day would come when she'd be drinking coffee, of all things.

She glanced out the window at the skyscrapers in the distance and sighed. Was it her imagination or were the gaps between each tik growing longer? Shaking her head, she braved a sip of her drink and grimaced at its bitter bite.

Maybe she'd bring her easel in here and paint. Something about the emptiness, filled only by sunlight and echoed breaths, made her fingers itch for a brush. But today it just felt...hollow.

Pushing the mug away, Adeline sighed again and flipped on the TV.

"Finally, the day everyone's been waiting for is only a little over a week away! The movie critics say sees Rhys Craybon at his absolute best will be hitting theaters nationwide next Friday!" the over-enthusiastic news anchor raved behind her.

She twisted around in time to catch a clip of a muscular man vaulting a rusted metal fence while explosions rippled across the brooding horizon.

"I've got to say, Keith," the co-host gushed. "I've not been this excited for a movie in quite a while."

Like she didn't say that just last month.

"Ew, please. You're making this coffee even worse." Adeline made a face and switched channels. Another ad for the Dragon's Ladder—of course.

Maybe silence was the superior option.

Her phone buzzed and she flipped it over, fingers crossed it was Sebastian and not someone who'd spent countless hours digging in dark corners of the internet for her phone number. The text messages wouldn't load fast enough.

Please tell me you're not still asleep.

As if. The ticking of clocks and creaking of the stairs always crept under her door to wake her just before the sunlight soaked through the curtains.

No we've had this discussion before

Obnoxiously upbeat music thumped from the TV speakers, over-saturated colors exploding across the screen. A girl swore some random detergent changed her life and offered everything short of immortality and a cure for cancer. Shaking her head, Adeline typed another reply.

Can you pick me up early or did you oversleep?

There's nothing to do here

"Fortune favors the strong," a deep voice narrated after a beat of silence. "And they used to have it all. Power... influence... wealth... popularity..."

What was it with these over-the-top documentaries?

idk...depends on Ivy

"It seemed like fate would only carry them higher." Ascending piano chords played over cheers and shouts, and Adeline glanced up.

A woman twirled across the stage, her fouettes blending seamlessly from one into the next. The music rose, various lights flicking on and off as she danced, running away into the shadows.

"But that was to change in an instant."

Rapid cuts of sprawling facilities, rising up like metal giants with sharp, sleek sides, blurred before Adeline's eyes. Everything was too fast, dizzying in the intensity of memories fighting their way to the top.

The pressure in her skull grew, eyes burning. Her insides twisted with the horror of the things she knew would come, but she couldn't tear herself away, couldn't find the remote. Trembling fingers clutched the back of her chair as headlines like Couldn't Handle Fame and Guilty or Framed: The Truth flashed across the screen with searing, too-bright colors.

No! This can't...it's not...

Those familiar faces couldn't be... Her lungs screamed for air but she couldn't breathe, the walls closing in and threatening to crush her as she fumbled for the remote. A woman in a plum dress appeared, saying words Adeline quoted in her nightmares, each one burying the knife in her chest deeper and deeper.

"It has been confirmed that Charles Killingsworth passed away last night before his emergency surgery. His wife, Annabelle, remains in critical condition with the full extent of her injuries still unknown."

Black consumed the screen and her words echoed in the silence that followed.

"The Killingsworth Tragedies— a deeper search into the rise and fall of Cerulle's most powerful families."

"Want to know the best place for summer vaca—"

Adeline stabbed the power button on the TV remote and slammed it down, a splinter of plastic skittering across the table and dropping to the floor. Yellow splotches crowded her vision and a freezing numbness raced through her body.

"Addy, are you..."

Even though it was soft, the voice made her ears ache.

"Jacob, what is that?" she rasped, unable to escape the blank stare of the screen.

"I'm so sorry."

Sorry? What did he have to be sorry for?

Sucking in a deep breath, Adeline finally tore her eyes away. "Did you see?"

She hated how fragile she sounded, voice barely a whisper that threatened to crack and break. And the way pain filled her brother's eyes and stooped his shoulders—she hated that, too.

He nodded. The fourteen feet between them stretched into fourteen miles and, for once, the quiet of the room overwhelmed her. There was nothing but this bar table and the clock, and neither soothed the echo of memories tearing through her heart.

"They...they asked me several times if we would do interviews." Jacob ran a hand down his face. "I said no because I didn't want to dig up old demons."

Tik.

"I should have told you."

Tik.

"I'm so sorry."

Tik.

"Addy, please say something." He took a step, pausing before taking another.

Slipping out of the chair, Adeline stumbled towards him, cold seeping from her toes and up her legs. Jacob wrapped his arms around her and she buried her face in his shoulder, inhaling the familiar woodsy scent of his cologne.

After a heavy exhale, he began stroking her hair. "Do you want to talk about it? I can take the day off and we can do something."

She shook her head. It had always been this way, ever since the incident, with Jacob. So careful of her emotions, as though the wrong word would shatter her into a thousand little pieces. It had made that first year bearable, knowing that there was always a shoulder to cry on or someone to hold her when she had no words.

But now it had been three years. He shouldn't still be expected to drop everything at the slightest turn of her emotions.

Selfish.

Adeline pulled away. "It caught me off guard."

"I'm sorry," he whispered, refusing to meet her gaze.

"Stop saying that. It's not your fault."

"I know, but I..." He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand as though it would erase the dark circles and weariness written there.

She forced a laugh. "How bad can it really be?"

Jacob's hand dropped to his side.

"Ancient astrophysicists believe that birds are, in fact, holograms," she mimicked with over-exaggerated intonation.

"Please stop." He shook his head.

"Listen, Jacob. It's been three years." Adeline prayed he wouldn't catch the waver in her voice. "I don't like people digging into my life and speculating on things they don't know anything about and could ever understand." She swallowed. "But you don't need to worry about me. I'm okay."

He opened his mouth to speak, but she cut him off.

"I promise I'll let you know if I need someone. You're going to be late for work." Her eyes burned, though from the glare of the sun on the stark walls or from unshed tears, she didn't know. "Seriously, I'm fine!"

At first, he didn't move. The curtains rustled with the air's touch and somewhere below, the murmur of voices rose and fell and a door slammed.

"Okay," he said, gaze skipping around the room before resting on her face. "I guess I'll see you tonight then."

She nodded. "I'll be hanging with friends."

There was nothing more to say. A moment passed before Jacob adjusted his suit, turned, and left without another word.

Adeline's phone vibrated, causing her to jump. Shuffling over to the table, she sat down, letting her forehead rest on her folded arms. Her skin felt cold.

Only when the phone buzzed a second time did she check it.

On the way.

Okay great, she typed, staring at the message for a second longer before hitting send. Tucking the phone in her pocket, she headed for the door. Adeline hesitated before walking down the hallway, welcoming its dimness and leaving her coffee mug and bitter memories behind.

###

"Who's after you this time?"

Adeline jumped, eyes darting to the young man leaning against one of the porch pillars.

"No one." She shot another glance over her shoulder. "This time. And we talked about you coming up on the porch."

"Still too embarrassed of me to let me meet your family?"

"Sebastian, shut up!" Even though she was 5'10 in heels, she had to tilt her head back to glare at him.

"Wow, okay, okay." He threw up his hands, shaking his head.

"Maybe if you scheduled a salon appointment to get your roots done, I would consider being seen with you in public." She strode past him, pausing on the third step. "But probably not."

"Oh, haha." Sebastian rolled his eyes and tugged at the obsidian arrowhead hanging on a chain around his neck. "My hair is completely natural, which you can tell because my eyebrows match, Adeline."

Their banter was part of an old argument centering around his hair, a deep burnt orange reminding Adeline of crisp fall leaves. Golden freckles spread across his fairer skin, stretching over his nose and cheekbones. Paired with his wide, golden-brown eyes, round face, and soft features, he gave off an innocent child-like vibe she knew better than to trust.

Maybe he was part Irish like he claimed. She had asked about his parents many times in the four years they'd been friends, but he'd never answered so she had stopped asking.

Her shoes tapped rhythmically against the concrete, the sun warm on her face as she walked towards the armored SUV. The straps of her backpack cut into her shoulder but she ignored it.

"That proves nothing. Eyebrow dye exists, you know."

Sebastian laughed and opened the door for her. Ducking in, she scooted to the far side and he slid in after her.

"Good morning," Ivy greeted her, putting the vehicle in drive.

"Good morning!" Adeline's skin prickled at the frigid air blasting from the vents and she shut the ones within reach. Fastening her seatbelt as Ivy pulled away from the mansion, she set the backpack beside her and glanced at Sebastian. Why was he so quiet today?

Sebastian chewed his lip, head titled and eyes scrunched up as he studied her. The wrinkles between his eyebrows seemed out of place, but it was the way he sat, completely still with his hands in his lap, that made Adeline squirm.

"You doing okay?" he finally asked.

She had known it was coming, but his question still caught her by surprise. Words tumbled out of her mouth before she could think.

"Doing better than ever. Why?"

Sebastian swallowed, staring at something behind her. "Have you seen the documentary? Like, the trailer or whatever, I mean."

"Yeah." She shrugged. She should say something about how dumb it was or how it didn't bother her, anything to make him not worry, but it all got stuck in her throat.

"So, if you want to watch it, and you like, don't want to watch it alone, or whatever..." He fiddled with the hem of his shirt.

Unsure of how to answer, Adeline rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand. "Uh, thanks."

"Are you ready for the big deal today?" Ivy cut in, meeting Adeline's eyes in the rearview mirror.

Thank you, Ivy.

"Of course I'm ready," she said, grinning.

Sebastian smiled wickedly. "We'll see."

“Addy, there’s something on your face.”

“Huh?” Adeline was instantly suspicious.

“Yeah, it’s weird.” Concerned, Sebastian leaned in and rubbed her cheek with his thumb. “Wait a minute!” He sat back. “That’s right—your face always looks weird.”

“Shut up! You’re worse than Jacob!” she huffed. “And you’re one to talk.”

“I don’t even know what you’re trying to imply.” He ran his hand through his hair, making it tumble in a dozen different directions. “I have many admirers.” He gave her a wink.

“Whatever.” She rolled her eyes and turned away, making a show of pulling her headphones out of her backpack and sticking them over her ears.

Sebastian mimicked her with over-exaggerated movements and faces, and she couldn’t help but smile. He was just one of those people who you couldn’t help but like even though he’d drive you insane.

The rolling melody of a piano filled her ears, and she closed her eyes, enraptured, fingers tapping her knees as if there were invisible piano keys. But gradually, the feeling began to fade.

I hope Jacob’s okay; I know things aren’t going as well with the company as he makes it sound. Stupid Craybons.

Adeline pursed her lips, digging her fingers into her thighs.

They’re not even worth getting mad at and ruining my day.

The scenery outside her window changed from bright storefronts and clogged streets to rolling hills and rustic homes. What would it be like to live in one of those two-story brick houses with the porch swing and fenced-in yard? Or the one with the garden and chickens?

The car turned down a road that looked like it hadn’t been paved in years. Trees pressed along its borders, limbs intertwined like an archway over its surface. Adeline strained to see into the depths of the woods, hoping to see a deer or two.

After ten minutes or so, she gave up. And anyway, they were almost at their destination. She took her headphones off and tucked them back in her backpack.

“You brought your mask, right?” Sebastian asked.

“Of course I did.”

He nodded as he looked back out the window. “Just checkin’.”

The car made its final turn down a rough, dirt road. Here, unseen cameras watched their every move.

Finally, they came to a stop outside two large metal gates, which creaked slowly inward. Ivy drove within the compound’s wall. Buildings crawled haphazardly across the space, concrete roofs painted to resemble the tops of trees. The place was deserted aside from the two men who stood, guns slung across their backs and lower half of their faces concealed by black masks. Ivy stopped the car, and one man opened Adeline’s door while the other opened Sebastian’s.

“Thanks.” Adeline shouldered her backpack and started walking towards the entrance of the nearest building, Sebastian catching up.

“Excited to take a look at the new shipment?” he asked with a grin.

“Of course, but I don’t know if we’ll have time; we’re running a little behind, though I’m not sure how that happened.”

“Allow me.” He opened the door, but just as Adeline went to walk through, he cut in front of her and released the door.

“Jerk,” she muttered as he laughed at her for what seemed like the hundredth time that day.

Crates were stacked along the wall to the left of the door, while safes lined the far one. There were more crates and boxes on the catwalk, which someone would toss a package from every now and again.

“Good morning, Addy!” a girl called from above her.

“Hey, Steph!” she answered absently, scanning the room for any new looking crates.

Sebastian stretched out, snagging the package Steph dropped and tossing it to a guy standing nearby.

“Yo, let’s go check that shipment.”

Adeline searched for the owner of the voice. With brown hair, green eyes, and freckles, William looked younger than his twenty-five years and had an air of deceptive innocence. He slung his arm across her shoulders and steered her towards a stack of long crates in front of the safes.

“I’ve already checked, and it’s all there, but I know you’ll want to see them, anyway.”

“Um, yes please!” Although she wasn’t as excited as Sebastian was, she had been waiting a while for this particular shipment to finally appear.

Sebastian removed the lid of the crate, eyes lighting up like a kid’s on Christmas Day. “I need one, Will, I need one.” He fidgeted excitedly before chewing on one of his fingernails to resist the impulse to pick one up.

Adeline admired the sniper rifles stored inside. “Even with one of these, you couldn’t hit an elephant with a backside the size of Texas.”

“Shush, you’re ruining the moment.” He didn’t even look up as he waved her off.

She made a face and swatted his hand away before he hit her nose.

“I just have to grab my briefcase and a portfolio really quick, and then we can go,” Will said. “Be right back.”

He walked away, whistling softly to himself, thumbs hooked in the pockets of his cargo pants.

With a heavy sigh, Sebastian replaced the lid, looking like it caused him physical pain to do so. Then he gave it a loving pat.

“Come on, let’s go,” Adeline said, trying to keep from laughing. “They’re not going anywhere.”

“City witch,” he said, pretending to be disgusted and making a point of hitting her shoulder as he walked past.

“Like, what is that even supposed to mean?” She threw up her hands as she followed him to one of the safes.

Sebastian typed in the password on the small touchscreen. There was an almost inaudible click and he pulled the door open to reveal a variety of weapons. Adeline grabbed two silver brass knuckles adorned with blades extending from either end.

“So we’re being impractical today,” Sebastian remarked.

“Do you want to be punched?” she asked, raising an eyebrow and cocking her fist back.

“Not particularly, no.” He crouched down. “Okay. Now we can have a conversation on your level.”

“Agh! You are so annoying!” she huffed.

He just laughed.

“Well, are you going to grab something or not?”

“Nah, I’ve already got everything I need,” he said, serious now.

Even though they weren’t visible, Adeline knew there was a handgun located at the small of his back, a knife in each boot, and probably more tucked away in places she didn’t know about.

“I guess you’re right about these being impractical.” She hated to admit it, but for once, Sebastian had no comment to make as she chose a more subtle pair of brass knuckles. These resembled rings with a reverse-diamond shaped metal piece that was deceptively sharp. The black color made them seem just like unique accessories to her outfit.

She closed the safe and the two walked back outside to the car, where Ivy had been patiently waiting. Less than a few minutes later, Will, joined them, and they were on their way.

“They still haven’t said what it is exactly what they want,” Will said.

“Rich people, amiright?” Sebastian muttered with a wry smile at Adeline.

“Ehem.” Adeline cleared her throat.

“Oh, sorry. Present company included.”

Well, I certainly set myself up there.

“I guess we’ll deal with that when we get there,” she shrugged.

They were quiet the rest of the long drive, which was fine with Adeline. It’s not like there was much to talk about.

“This is a nice place,” Sebastian commented as they stopped outside the ornate metal gate.

A high, grey stone wall stretched from either side into the distance.

The gates opened, and they drove up the long driveway. The lawn was perfectly manicured with exquisite gardens and rock pathways that wove around crystalline fish pools and rock statues. The fountain that caught Adeline’s gaze was a rearing Pegasus, water shooting out from between its wings. A hazy rainbow hung in the droplets overhead.

The white mansion was at least five stories, with several balconies, gardens, and fountains on the level areas of the roof. Carefully clipped ivy vines wound around the pillars of the huge front porch; water fell in a thin veil on the left and right side into a shallow pool that bordered it and the five yards or so of the walkway that led up to it.

Adeline had to agree—this place was gorgeous.

Ivy stopped before the Pegasus fountain to let the three of them out.

“Wait, wait!” Adeline dug around in the backpack for the mask she’d tucked in it earlier. Made of a soft, silky material, it looped over her ears and covered the lower half of her face.

“Okay, now I’m ready.”

Boy, I really need a bathroom.

She smoothed her dress out as Will straightened his suit coat and Sebastian put on his own mask.

They climbed up the wide stairs and approached the door, which swung open before they even reached it.

“Right this way, please.” The grim-looking man motioned down a long, sunny hallway.

Unsmiling men and women watched them from their portrait vantage points on the wall.

They turned the corner into a vast room with a high ceiling. The side that faced the swimming pool and patio in the courtyard had floor-to-ceiling windows just like Adeline’s house. Long, light tan couches formed a large square around a low table in the center.

It was on these that a man and woman in their early forties and a young man in his twenties were seated, facing the approaching group.

The couple wore identical expressions—mouths set in a straight line, posture stiff and eyes calculating. The young man, on the other hand, seemed more relaxed, looking each of them over, eyes lingering on Adeline.

Her fingers tightened around the rings.

He’s a scumbag for sure.

“Mr. Reich, Mrs. Reich,” Will nodded. “I hope today finds you in good health.”

“Thank you,” Mr. Reich said, motioning for the three of them to sit down.

Sebastian sat down on a couch to their left and Will on the right, while Adeline sat opposite them.

“So you contacted my organization a few weeks ago to arrange a meeting to discuss services,” Will said.

Adeline discreetly looked around. There had to be bodyguards everywhere in case they tried something, though she couldn’t spot any—which made her even more curious. There were no visible cameras, no mirrors or paintings on the bare wall behind the Reichs.

Maybe they’re hiding in various rooms around the place. Those two sliding doors probably lead to a dining room.

“What exactly is it that you’re looking for?”

“I would like to hire someone to look into the past of … an acquaintance of mine.” Mr. Reich shifted uncomfortably in his seat, gaze flitting toward the patio and back.

Must have some bodyguards out there.

Sebastian laughed, tossing his head back. Mr. Reich’s head turned sharply in his direction.

“I’m sorry, but if you’re looking for someone to dig dirt up on a rival, you’ve come to the wrong person,” Will said, leaning back into the couch, briefly making eye contact with Adeline out of the corner of his eye.

“Just name your price,” the older man tried to bargain. “Money, protection, services of some sort…”

“That’s something we’re not selling, no matter how high you’re willing to go.”

“Not even if we offered a few million dollars?” Mrs. Reich inquired.

“No.”

“You’re sure? Name your price! We were told that you…”

“Whoever told you that was mistaken,” Will cut her off, frowning. “Now, if that’s all you wanted, then we’ll be on our way.”

Adeline and Sebastian stood up as if they were going to leave.

“No. That’s not all,” Mr. Reich said quickly, half rising, eyes flickering from one to the other.

“Alright. What can I get you, then?” Will leaned forward, an eyebrow raised, eyes glittering ominously.

“What kind of weapons do you sell?”

“Anything you’re looking for. Though, I’m going to have to ask why it is you can’t buy these more … legally.”

“Does that matter?” Mrs. Reich tried to look calm, but her eyes gave away just how irritated she truly was.

Will didn’t answer, eyes narrowing.

“I’ve recently been … concerned about the protection of my family,” Mr. Reich said smoothly. “I would like to be prepared without arousing suspicions or raising any flags. And besides, I get the guns I actually want for cheaper through your organization.”

“I see.”

Will turned his head to look at Adeline before giving his answer. “Alright, I’m listening.”

“Excuse me, may I use your bathroom?” Adeline cringed internally at how stupid she probably sounded right now.

In fact, everyone seemed surprised—Will had an “are-you-totally-serious-right-now?!” expression and even though most of his face was obscured by the mask, Adeline could tell Sebastian was smirking.

“Of course.” Mrs. Reich displayed a smile as fake as her lips.

“I’ll show you where it is.” The young man stood and displayed a more genuine smile.

“Thank you.”

Adeline followed him down the hallway, eyes fixed straight ahead. They walked across the polished wooden floor of the foyer and down the hall on the other side. It was identical to the previous one, even down to the creepy portraits of long-gone family members.

“Why the mask? You’re pretty cute with it on, must be even cuter without it,” he said at last.

Oh. My. Goodness. Like what do you think I’m going to do, rip off the mask and I don’t know, kiss you?!

She bit the inside of her cheek to keep the words from spilling out.

“Right here.” He turned suddenly to the right, brushing against her as he did so. “Just through that doorway is the toilet.”

“Thank you,” she said, even though all she wanted to do was slap him.

The doorway was at the other end of this room. On one side was an in-ground hot tub with tropical plants around it, and on the other was a huge marble counter with four sinks spaced evenly along its length. A mirror stretched from one end to the other.

Even for Adeline, this seemed a bit over the top.

In the next room was a shower, a tub that one might have mistaken for a swimming pool, more sinks, and another mirror. She shut the door and quickly used the bathroom.

Well, if they have this much money to be spending on their bathroom, then they have much more to buy black market weapons with.

She washed and dried her hands before slipping her rings back on. When she opened the door, the son was still standing where she’d left him, arms crossed over his chest with a smirk in place.

“You aren’t going to take that mask off, are you?”

Um, no, you creep. She glared at him as she swept past.

“You’re not one for talking much, huh? But I never liked the nagging ones.”

And you don’t know when to stop talking. She couldn’t get back to the others quickly enough. Halfway down the hallway, he wrapped his arm around her waist. That was unforgivable. She spun around, grabbing his arm and twisting it painfully into a police hold.

“Don’t touch me again; don’t even breathe in my direction,” she snarled. Then she let him go with a shove. He stumbled out of her way as she covered the last few feet.

Sebastian was standing, eyes finding Adeline’s immediately. He didn’t look happy.

Wonder what happened while I was gone. Or did he see what just happened?

She sat down quickly on the couch Sebastian was standing in front of. The creep walked past to his own seat, rubbing his shoulder, Sebastian glaring at him the whole time.

“It was a pleasure doing business,” Will was saying, placing several stacks of Benjamins into his briefcase. He shut it and it locked with a soft click.

“The pleasure was all mine.” Mr. Reich stood, leaning over the table to shake his hand, smile so greasy it could be labeled as an oil spill.

“Until next time.” Will stood straightening his suit coat. He nodded to Mrs. Reich and the son and picked up his briefcase.

Sebastian and Adeline moved to flank him and, silently, they headed towards the exit. The same old man was waiting for them by the door, and Will thanked him.

It wasn’t until they were outside the gates that anyone spoke.

“That—” Sebastian exploded.

“They were—” Adeline began at the same time. “Oh, sorry.”

“Go ahead.”

“Uh, I was just going to say, they seemed a little bit fishy.”

“Yes, but I did some background research and their record’s clean. We shouldn’t have to worry about what they use those guns for,” Will assured her. “They certainly paid well, too.”

“Give me some of that.” Adeline stretched forward, watching eagerly over the back of Will’s seat as he opened the briefcase. She looked at Sebastian, who still looked angry. “What were you going to say?”

“That … that disgusting creep touched you!” he yelled.

“Yeah, and I let him have it!” Adeline was getting angry again just talking about it. “I was this close to punching him, but that could have cost us the deal.”

“Who cares about that?! It would have been well deserved!” He stared at the window, jaw clenched, fingers curled into tight fists.

“Oh, trust me, he’ll be feeling it for a while. I’m not going to let him get to me.” She took a deep breath.

“There.” Will sat with the opened briefcase in his lap, looking upset. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine now. No use stewing over it. But if I ever see him again … When you deliver the weapons and collect the rest of the money, charge them extra. If they want to know why, tell them their son harassed the wrong person.”

Will nodded.

“But seriously, look at this!”She snatched one of the stacks of hundred dollar bills and inhaled loudly. “Ah, the smell of money!” Then, grinning like an idiot, she started fanning herself with it.

“She’s never seen money before—how adorable,” Sebastian grumbled.

She snorted and looked heavenwards.“Oh, please. I blow my nose with hundred dollar bills.”

“Do you even wipe your nose that often, though?”

“I swear, I will punch you!” She swatted in his general direction, and one of his arms shot out. He grabbed her wrist.

“We have a one-on-one training session today, so you’ll have your chance then.” He grinned that all too familiar you’re-going-to-die-at-my-hand grin as she jerked her wrist free.

Disgusted, Adeline flopped back into her seat, tossing the bundle of money at him. He skillfully caught it, pulled one out, and blew his nose with it.

“So do I, Adeline. So.” He blew his nose with another one. “Do.” And another. “I.” And another.

Adeline collapsed onto the back seat of the vehicle, muscles aching and stomach grumbling. Normally when it came to training, it wasn’t that brutal, but Sebastian had never been one to let her off easy.

“Curse the day you were born, Sebastian Kason Brandover,” she groaned as she tried, unsuccessfully, to hold her water bottle still as she took a drink and Ivy started driving, resulting in a spattering of wet spots on her dress.

“Don’t be so dramatic.” He lowered the back of his seat, legs resting on the back of the passenger seat. “It can’t be that bad. I feel rather well-rested myself.”

“Of course you do! You didn’t do anything!”

“You don’t think I got this good-looking body by sitting around, do you? Because if you do, you probably still think your parents found you in a cabbage patch.”

“Oh, ha ha. Is it just me, or have you gotten dumber?” She glared at him over the top of the water bottle as she took a swig.

“It’s just you.”

Adeline rolled her eyes, deciding to let it go, and looked out the window.

“Here.”

Something hit her in the side of the head and she tensed, muscles screaming in protest.

“Ouch!” she yelped.

“There is no way that hurt,” Sebastian said, bringing the back of the seat to a sitting position as he did so. “It’s a Twinkie.”

“Shut up!”

“Don’t make me take that back,” he warned ominously, making the “my-eyes-are-upon-your-wretched-soul” gesture and declining the back of the seat again until his face was out of view.

Adeline ripped the plastic wrapper off and ate half of the Twinkie in one bite.

“They’re making these things smaller and smaller,” she said around the mouthful, contemptuously tossing the wrapper to the side. It didn’t go very far at all, and, frowning, she flicked it away.

“Or maybe you’re just getting bigger. And chew with your mouth closed—you’re getting crumbs all over my nice car!”

She glared at him as she placed the rest of the Twinkie in her mouth, not bothering to remind him that this was technically her car.

This is like heaven in its most non-nutritional form.

When they had passed through the city and were about a mile from her house, Adeline told Ivy to stop.

“I’ll walk the rest of the way home.”

Sebastian popped up. “That doesn’t sound like a good idea.”

“I really need to stretch my legs out or I’ll be in pain all day tomorrow,” she said. “And besides, the last thing I need is Jacob seeing me with people he hardly knows.”

“He knows me.” Sebastian frowned.

“Not well, he doesn’t.” She opened the car door, stepped out, and grabbed her backpack.

“I’m not letting you walk home by yourself.” Sebastian tried to open the door with his foot while bringing the seat back to a sitting position. He half-fell, half-rolled out of the vehicle and to his feet. “Ahem.” Clearing his throat, he straightened his jacket. “I totally meant to do all of that, by the way.”

“It’s fine! I need some time to myself to think over some things.”

“But you could get home late, and then what will Jacob think?” he asked, concerned.

“Certainly not that I’ve been selling black market weapons and training so I can beat someone in a fight.”

“Which you still can’t, by the way,” he threw in.

“There’s a car coming; you guys are blocking the road. See you tomorrow!” Adeline shut the car door and walked onto the sidewalk.

Sebastian sighed. “Fine, whatever.” Then he smiled. “Stay safe, Addy.”

“It’s my middle name!” she called.

“Um, no it’s not, it’s Kaizyle.”

What was my mother thinking when she named me?!

Sebastian and Ivy drove by, followed closely by another car.

Adeline yawned, trudging, towards home. The day had been so busy she still hadn’t had much time to process anything; though, the very thought of having to face Ava and her squad tomorrow at school made her stomach turn. Not that she was scared of them, but it was hard to keep her anger--and sanity--in check with someone like her around.

There was a slight breeze that caressed her sun-warmed face, and she took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet-smelling air.

Less than an hour later, Adeline was skirting around the back of the Killingsworth property. From the swath of trees several hundred feet from the back garden and pool, she could tell the lights in the back foyer and hallway were off. She started walking again, following the curve of the woods up around the right side. Here, the ornamental pines formed a wall of greenery that would hide her from the view of all but the windows on the top two stories. Since they were spare bedrooms that had been cleaned yesterday, there wasn’t that big of a chance that someone was in them.

Adeline slipped around the edge and hurried down the cobblestone path, past the side entrance that led to the kitchen. Weaving through the patio and pool furniture, she arrived at the back entrance. Slowly, she pulled the door open and stepped inside.

The spacious room was deserted.

“You know you can just walk in the front door like a normal person.”

Adeline jumped. Apparently not so deserted.

“Oh, hi, Jacob.” She smiled, fighting the instinct to hide her backpack.

“Where have you been all day?” Jacob flipped the lights on.

“The usual--hanging with friends.” She shrugged, set the backpack down, and unzipped and removed her high heels. “I really need a shower.”

“After all of that crawling around in the woods? I bet.” Even though he was grinning and seemed relaxed, a bit of suspicion lingered in his eyes. “But seriously, what were you doing?”

Adeline mentally kicked herself for being so stupid. “I was with friends, and I’m late getting home. I didn’t want Mom to notice.”

That was the truth. And Mom would be in the sitting room in her favorite spot by the window, where she could see the entire front of the lawn.

“I don’t know how she couldn’t—forest flora and fauna isn’t usually hot pink. I saw you right away, knew exactly what you were going to do.” He cocked his head to the side. “Granted, I was looking for you.”

“Like I didn’t know about the times you snuck out?” Adeline folded her arms and narrowed her eyes. “And why were you looking for me anyway?”

“First, I was much better at it than you, and I can actually take care of myself.”

Adeline was offended. Oh, please! You have no idea!

“Ah, ah, ah!” He held up a finger to stop her from retorting. “Secondly, Mom was worrying about you. Lastly, just come in the front door next time,” he sighed, rolling his eyes.

“Believe me, I will.” She frowned and plucked a twig out of her hair.

Jacob laid his hand on her shoulder as she walked by, stopping her. “And next time you go somewhere, let me or your mother know so she doesn’t worry about you.”

Now it was her turn to roll her eyes. “Okay, Mother Jacob.”

“Shut up! You’re such an idiot.” He playfully shoved her.

She whirled around, heels clasped in one hand, the other pointing an accusing finger at him. “Child abuse!”

“Go get your stupid shower! I’ve got some work I have to finish up.” There he was, smiling again, eyes saying something wasn’t right. But this time, Adeline didn’t think it had anything to do with her.

She stuck her tongue out and scampered off, surprised that Jacob didn’t hurl an insult or warning after her.

It bugged her all through her shower to the point where she didn’t even notice how hot the water was or the fact that she used body wash as shampoo.

She pondered over it as she wrapped up in a towel and blow-dried her hair.

Is the documentary bothering him? Or is there something going on with the company, just like I’ve been suspecting? But if there is something wrong with Killingsworth Tech, our assets, or stock… wouldn’t Will or Sebastian have told me? Maybe he finally got himself a girlfriend, and he doesn’t know how to tell me.

Now, that brought a million other questions that she shoved away for the time being. Dinner was in fifteen minutes, and family dinner was something her mother was firm on.

Adeline stepped into the loose T-shirt dress and fixed her hair into a messy bun, finishing it up with the rose-gold dog tag engraved with her name—a gift from Jacob.

She checked in her closet for a pair of slippers she could have sworn were there yesterday but must have grown legs and sneaked off. The next place to look was her bed. Too lazy to get a flashlight, she had crawled halfway under when her phone chirped, startling her.

Adeline squirmed out and pounced on her bed, grabbing the phone that lay in the middle.

Go check the news ;D

She got off the bed and retrieved her laptop from inside the backpack.

“ ‘The news’ is very vague, Sebastian,” she muttered. “Whatever.”

There, right in the lower corner of her screen was a news alert--Senator Westford Exposed!

She clicked on it, chewing a fingernail while she waited for the story to load.

Just an hour ago, incriminating photos and videos were leaked to the public. The source is still unknown, but it remains abundantly evident that beloved Senator Westford has, indeed, been accepting bribes, profiting from the sale of illegal drugs, and had multiple affairs with various women employed in his service.

Adeline couldn’t read any more. This man truly sickened her.

What a disgusting pig!

She called Sebastian, who answered on the fifth ring.

“Yeah?” He sounded bored.

“I didn’t expect you to release all of that this quickly,” she said.

“Me either, but the more the team and I looked into it, the more we found, and the more disgusted I became. We weren’t waiting for a specific time or anything, were we?”

“No.”

“I figured we can let the FBI handle it from here.” He yawned.

“One of these days we ought to just let them earn their paycheck…” Adeline glanced at the alarm clock on her nightstand. Two minutes until dinner.

“Yeah, but this is too much fun!” Sebastian argued.

“Agreed,” Adeline drug out the word. “I have to run, or I’ll be late for dinner, so talk to you later.”

“It’ll do--”

Adeline ended the call before he could finish his sentence with “you good.”

*******************************

“Hey, Addy, I need you for a minute,” Jacob called.

It was about a half-hour after dinner, and Adeline was going to watch some TV with her mother. She paused, halfway to the sitting room. “Sure.” Then, to her mother, “I’ll be back in a second, Jacob needs me.”

She joined her brother in the room they’d labeled the “lounge,” where she’d eaten breakfast just this morning. Jacob was pacing up and down the gray wood-patterned tiles. It instantly made her anxious, and she perched on the edge of a white couch.

“The Craybons have bought out several smaller tech companies.”

Adeline frowned. “We’re one of the top tech companies in the world; how does that affect us?”

“It doesn’t much right now, except the fact that they bought one we’d been considering for a little while. Abilities and Tech--it does relatively well, but they were struggling internally from poor leadership and management. Without any clear direction, poor advertising, and a less-than-desirable work environment, the future didn’t look very good. There was no way the company would last.” Jacob paused, the last of the evening sun throwing shadows across his face. “We had talked about buying it, and things were moving slowly in that direction. We had to get all of the owners on board, which was certainly easier said than done.”

“And then the Craybons came along and took it out from under our noses!” Adeline finished, fuming. Abilities and Tech’s newest laptop had been all the rage--slim and compact with a boatload of storage and processing power and much, much more.

“Exactly. I’m not sure how much more they paid than our initial offer…” He sighed, coming to a stop in front of one of the windows, staring out at the glowing city in the distance.

“I’m assuming there’s more for you to be telling me this?” Adeline dreaded his answer.

“Yes. The Craybons and Hapsburgs seem to have gotten rather friendly. While the Hapsburgs aren’t directly in competition with us, their extensive reach with advertising could be damaging. If one brand were to be promoted over another, eventually people would start buying the one that’s more advertised,” he explained.

Adeline went to stand by Jacob, wrapping her arm around his waist and leaning into him.

“Killingsworth tech is some of the best, most advanced tech out there; Mom’s clothing line is timeless and classy, and that’s not even scratching the surface of everything we’ve got our fingers in,” she soothed.

He grunted. “But for how long? A design for a new laptop we were going to be releasing soon somehow got leaked. We still don’t know how, and the only reason we know it happened was because Abilities and Tech released it a few days ago!”

Adeline gasped. “So now, if you release it, everyone will think we’re copying them! That’s not right! If I could get my hands on those filthy rotten pieces of--”

“Please stop.” Jacob finally returned her hug in an effort to calm her. “We’ll just modify what we have, see what legal action we can take, and find out how the info got leaked to stop it from happening again.”

“Can’t you sue or…or something?”

He sighed. “The Craybons just took over Abilities and Tech. They can easily claim they had no idea, and besides, they’ve already profited mightily off of it thanks to the excessive marketing it’s gotten from the Hapsburgs.”

“What else are the Craybons doing to mess with our stuff?” she growled.

“Let me worry about that, Addy. You need to focus on finishing school and getting into a good college,” he said into her hair.

Ugh! I’m not a little kid anymore! I can handle this stuff! She nodded. “Promise me you’ll tell me if anything else happens?”

Jacob sighed.

“Promise?” Adeline asked softer, his familiar smell and heartbeat gradually calming her.

“I promise,” he said at last.

They stood like that for a moment longer before Adeline broke away.

“I-I’m going to go bed now.”

“Okay.” Jacob nodded, watching her leave with worried eyes.

At the door, Adeline turned back around. “You don’t have a girlfriend, do you?

”

“What?” He was caught off-guard by the question, obviously surprised. “No, but if I did, you’d be one of the first to know.”

She studied him, confused by the look that had flashed over his face just now. Like he was telling her the truth, but leaving something out. “I better be the first to know, Jacob.”

“And I better meet him first, Adeline,” he teased. “That better not be why you’re sneaking around.”

She spun on her heel and left, laughing inwardly. Ha! Me, a boyfriend? I'm such a nervous wreck any time I'm around a crush that we'd never get to that stage. I'd look like an idiot...

But the momentary happiness dissipated at the fact that her brother still wasn’t telling her everything. And if that wasn’t enough, the Craybons weren’t satisfied with everything they’d done so far. It was clear to her they wanted to obliterate her family until they were nobodies. Maybe even ...dead.

Like my father.

She felt nauseous. Grief, anger, fear, and sadness all sweeping over her in a sudden wave, she swerved away from the sitting room. Her mother would just be yet another reminder of what the Craybons had done.

God, help me, Adeline prayed as she climbed the stairs, even though it seemed like He never listened to her. A lot of good God had done her so far.

She slammed her bedroom door behind her and crawled onto the bed. The fluffy pink comforter was warm and soft, and Adeline lay there, staring at the familiar patterns on the ceiling and not thinking about anything in particular. She didn’t bother changing or doing her nightly routine of face washing and teeth brushing.

At some point, she drifted off into a restless sleep for a few hours.

Three. It was three when she woke up, eyes and throat swollen from silently crying in her sleep.

I am so pathetic. Pull it together, Addy.

Adeline stretched out on her side, blinking rapidly until her vision became a little bit clearer. Then she sat up and looked around for her phone. It was only a few inches away, nestled in a fold of the blanket.

Squinting in the blinding glare of her phone screen, she clicked on her contacts and made a call. On the tenth ring, somebody answered.

“Uh? Who...mph...calling at....night?” the person mumbled incoherently.

“Hi, Sebastian. It’s Adeline.”

“I think (incoherent muttering) wrong numba (more incoherent mutterings).”

“No, it’s Adeline.”She patiently waited for him to wake up fully.

“You woke me up! You better have a good reason,” he growled several seconds later, voice still hoarse from sleep.

“I...I do.” I just don’t know how to put it into words.

“Are you confessing your love for me?” Sebastian asked slyly. “Because I’m listening.”

“No, blockhead!”

“Did Ava or Serena drop over dead, then?” Now he sounded mischievous.

Adeline swallowed. “No, but there is a lot going on with the Killingworth Group.” She quickly filled him in on everything Jacob had told her, including the fact that he claimed he didn’t have a girlfriend, but…

“That’s not good,” Sebastian said, concerned. “All of it. Though if I had to guess, Jacob’s advisors or strategists or whatever they call themselves probably are suggesting a marriage.”

“Marriage?! Okay, that’s a huge leap!”

“Hear me out--you of all people should know how the rich and powerful work. Jacob is young and eligible with the looks, money, and business smarts. Now all he needs is the daughter of another well-to-do group or company—say Charlotte Montcroix, Harper Hapsburg, Kenya Rhodenburg, Felicia Blanc—and the Killingsworths have it made. Then, to secure that, you just have to find yourself someone powerful, too.” He paused for a moment. “Though, it might be harder for you because you have neither the looks, the money, or the smarts.”

“Jacob would never agree that!” Adeline argued, ignoring his last remark. “And besides, he doesn’t need to! We’re still doing extremely well.”

“Don’t yell at me, I didn’t wake you up.” He sounded bored now and a little offended.

Adeline took a moment to collect her thoughts. “I’m sorry, I just had no idea…”

“It’s okay, really. If you ever need someone to talk to…” Sebastian trailed off and cleared his throat.

Warmth filled her chest. I’m so lucky to have someone like Sebastian. “Thanks. Um, I guess I’ll let you sleep...WAIT!”

“Ahh! Give me some warning before you scream into the phone, will ya?!” he asked indignantly.

“YOU KNEW ALL OF THAT ALREADY, DIDN’T YOU? AND YOU DIDN’T TELL ME!”

Silence.

“Sebastian, answer the question,” she coaxed sweetly with the I-promise-I-won’t-get-angry-but-I’m-definitely-going-to-when-you-do-answer tone.

“It’s a trap!”

“SEBASTIAN!” she yelled.

“I’m sorry.” He sighed. “Yes, William and I found out less than a week ago, but we didn’t think we should be the ones to tell you. It wasn’t our place.”

Adeline flopped back onto the pillows. “I know, it’s just…”

“You’re tired of Jacob treating you like a little kid.” Sometimes, Sebastian’s perceptiveness was a little too on point.

“I...I guess.”

“Addy, I don’t think of you as a little kid. I never have. But I’m also not your older brother. If Will or I discover something that pertains to you while poking around, we’re going to tell you, but…”

“No, no, I know what you’re saying.”

They were both quiet for a few moments.

“I’ll talk to you tomorrow, then?” Sebastian ventured.

“Yeah. Sorry for waking you up.”

“It’s not a big deal,” he said through a yawn.

“Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

Adeline let the phone drop and rolled onto her side.

I’m tired of things happening and not being able to do anything about it. I’m a Killingsworth, and you don’t mess with us.

The Craybons were going to regret the day they ever thought they could harm Adeline’s family and get away with it.

THURSDAY

“You wanted to talk to me?” Serena plopped into the overstuffed leather chair, studying her nails.

“Yes.” Mr. Craybon gave an irritated sigh. “Honey, I know it’s been a long day, but could you at least give me your full attention?”

She rolled her eyes but obliged.

“Your modeling career is soaring; you’re young, beautiful, and likable. And with even more connections in high places, think of where you’ll go!” He smiled, planted his elbows on the desk, and rested his chin on his folded hands.

Curling her lip in disgust, Serena protested, “You don’t think I can climb the ladder on my own?”

“No, no, that’s not what I mean at all! But a few helping hands and you’ll climb it faster.” He leaned back.

“Well, you saw how that … that deal with Jace Xander turned out,” she spat. Massaging her temples with manicured nails, she closed her eyes.

“You both benefited from that—publicity, an attractive counterpart, and opportunities handed to you. What more could you want?” Mr. Craybon was at a loss.

“Oh, I don’t know, someone who will at least be grateful for what I do for him and not cheat on me?” Serena sat back and folded her arms over her chest. “Look, I don’t even know why we’re having this conversation. I’m quite capable of making friends in high places without your intervention. I have a runway show that I need to prepare for, and that’s going to take up several months. I don’t have time for a relationship, real or fake.”

Her words hung in the air for several tense moments.

“I’m not trying to imply you aren’t a talented, smart woman. But … may I remind you that not too long ago, Adeline Killingsworth could have breezed past you?”

“Shut up! She has never had anything on me!” Serena leaped to her feet. “She never will, and if you think for a moment I’m scared of her ‘surpassing me’, you’re wrong!”

She slapped her hand down on the desk, hard enough to chip a nail, but her father didn’t flinch.

“That may be the case…”

“Is,” she corrected ominously.

“... but it’s always a good idea to stay ahead and take any and all steps towards prevention.”

Serena returned to her seat and, with a huff, collapsed into it. “So what exactly do you have in mind?”

“I’ve been talking with the Hapsburgs about the possibility of a marriage between you and Ryker.”

“Marriage?” Serena.

“That’s normally what happens when people date for a while,” Mr. Craybon responded dryly.

Ryker was attractive. He’d done a little bit of everything from acting to music to modeling to dancing and garnered quite the fan base.

“What would I get out of it besides publicity and a hoard of tween girls sending me death threats?” she asked, considering.

An eager, greedy look filled her father’s eyes. “It’ll sky-rocket your career! You’ll be everywhere, everyone will want to know what your relationship is like. Not only that, our families can help each other’s companies reach new levels and markets. Most importantly, we’ll have a powerful ally.”

“Powerful ally?” Now that was an interesting choice of words. “Planning on starting a war soon?”

“Those things are not for you to worry about,” Mr. Craybon laughed, shaking his head. But he didn’t deny it.

“Whatever.”

Serena rose and stalked out, leaving the door hanging open.

FRIDAY

“You haven’t seen even one that you like?” Naomi Rilsburg gawked.

“No,” Adeline admitted. “I want something...perfect. I need to be in the mood to shop, too.”

And right now, I have other things to be worried about!

“No duh, we all want something perfect.” Naomi tugged her boxer braids, rolling her eyes. “Oh, I know what’ll get you in the mood! Let’s go to Angelica’s Formal Wear.”

If Sebastian were around, Adeline would rather die than go dress shopping. That was a jackpot of unlimited insults and cracks best avoided. She’d told him she wasn’t coming by the compound, as she’d be hanging out with friends. He didn’t need to know anything more.

Jessica scrutinized her from head to toe. “A pink or blue dress would compliment your hair and skin tone. Ooh, I saw this amazing one when I was looking through the website for Angelica’s.”

“My mom wasn’t planning on getting a new dress but I want to buy her one,” Adeline said. “It can be her birthday present.”

They’re not going to let me go, so I might as well make this worth it.

“I can’t wait for this party!” Naomi was all but jumping up and down, green eyes sparkling with child-like excitement. “I hear the Craybons are throwing a huge party to celebrate the release of The Dragon’s Ladder.”

Adeline threw her arms up in exasperation.“I swear, if I hear about that movie one! More! Time! I will do… something destructive.”

Naomi just laughed as she and Jessica entered Angelica’s Formal Wear, for all intents and purposes dragging Adeline between them.

“Welcome to Angelica’s! Is there anything I can help you ladies with?” an attendant greeted them.

“We’re looking right now, but thanks,” Jessica said. “Oh, wow.” Her attention pulled to a mannequin to their right, eyes wide. “Look at that!”

The dress was a deep purple that sparkled in the light, sheer layers of varying lengths forming its skirt.

“I have to try that one on,” she breathed. “Do you have it in a small?”

The attendant--her name tag read Ashley--nodded before disappearing. When she reappeared, an identical dress hung over her arm. “Here you go. The dressing rooms are right over there.” She smiled and pointed toward the back corner.

“Thanks!” Jessica carefully took the garment and scurried away.

“Be back in a second!” Adeline called after her. Then she said to Ashley, “I’m looking for a dress for my mom. Do you have any ocean blue dresses?”

“Ocean blue? There may be one or two in store, but most of these dresses come in different colors,” she said. “Any other specifications?”

Adeline shook her head.

“One moment, please.” A few moments later, Ashley was back with two different dresses. “These are the ones we have currently.”

The first one, a classic ballgown, had a lace bodice embroidered with faux jewels. It was stunning, to say the least, but it would never work. Not for a wheelchair.

What a shame. She sighed.

Without her even having to say anything, Ashley displayed the second dress.

“Adeline, are you coming?” Jessica called.

Several heads swiveled in her direction with startled and reproachful looks. Not that she noticed, as she breezed past, skirt hitched up to her knees.

“You’ll be the death of me,” Naomi groaned, covering her eyes in embarrassment.

Jessica skidded to a halt, releasing the fabric clenched in her fists. “I feel like a princess!”

Adeline couldn’t help but gawk. “Wow! You look like one!”

It was if the dress had been custom made to suit her athletic build and olive skin. The joy in her dark eyes was infectious, and Adeline smiled.

“Fancy running into you guys!”

And like that, Ava squashed the mood.

She sashayed up, smile pasted in place, a group of admirers and suck-ups trailing behind.

“Oh, hey, dress shopping, too?” Naomi asked.

“Yeah.” The corners of her mouth pulled down in confusion. “I just didn’t expect to find Adeline shopping at a place like this with you guys.”

“What is that even supposed to mean?” Adeline turned her back on Ava and rubbed the fabric of the second dress on the counter between her fingers.

“I thought you normally shopped at the high-end places with people more of your, uh, status.” There was that pretend innocence again.

I may enjoy shopping, but don’t think I’m buying that.

Naomi clenched her jaw, eyes narrowing. Unlike most students at Xavier Academy for Elites, she wasn’t there because of money. Her parents could never afford tuition. The only reason she was there was due to a scholarship she’d earned with her own hard work. But that didn’t matter to kids who tried only to gain things from others. Naomi didn’t have anything they wanted, so she was often the outcast and target of their bullying.

“I’m not sure who told you that.” Adeline laughed. “I don’t judge things by money; that’s pointless. I didn’t work hard to get this money, my parents did. So for me to act like I’m better than someone who has less than me... well, that’d be stupid. And besides, Serena and I used to hang out all the time.”

Ava’s right eye twitched as she shrugged and laughed. “That’s what I thought. I feel the same way.”

Of course you do.

“Naomi, Jessica, what do you think of this dress?” Adeline held it up, its skirt unfurling towards the ground. The bodice of the dress was a deep ocean blue, cinched in at the waist by a band of silver. The skirt faded out to white at the bottom.

“For your mother?” Naomi queried. “It’ll be perfect! The color will bring out her eyes.”

Jessica nodded, still enraptured with her own.

“Karie? Lillian? What do you guys think?” Adeline addressed the girls behind Ava.

“It’s a little simple, but definitely classy,” Karie said.

“You should get it, for sure!” Ava’s smile reminded Adeline of Mrs. Reich’s. “We’ve got a couple places we want to visit before we go to the movies, so we better be going!”

“Bye!” That was Lillian.

“See you!” Karie waved.

Ava, strangely, didn’t say anything at all, exiting without looking back.

At least she didn’t say anything about the documentary.

“I’m getting this one!” Jessica squealed and pulled Naomi into a tight hug.

“And I’ll take this dress, but could I get it shortened an inch or two?” Adeline asked Ashley. The last thing she wanted was the dress to get ripped on the wheelchair or anything like that.

“Yes, ma’am.”

While Adeline and Jessica made their purchases, Naomi wandered around the store. She snapped pictures of the dresses that caught her eye, most likely to show her mother to get her opinion.

“You’ll get a call when the alteration is finished, but it should only take a day or two,” Ashley said, handing Adeline her receipt.

“Thank you.”

“I can’t get over how beautiful my dress is!” Jessica clutched the bag to her chest.

Adeline smiled. “You look amazing in it! And you guys can come over to my house a couple of hours before so we can do makeup and hair. It’ll be so much fun!”

“I can’t wait two weeks; we should do a girl’s night out or something before then.” She started planning out loud, but Adeline wasn’t paying attention.

A familiar figure was striding by the store—it was Sebastian as casually stylish as ever, black jeans and unzipped jacket paired with red high tops and headphones around his neck. He didn’t even glance in her direction.

What’s he doing here? She frowned.

Another guy and a girl were with him. Both were average height with blonde hair, wearing nondescript clothes. Their movements were fluid and powerful.

They seem like the bodyguard type to me. Sebastian is overseeing the investigation about the leak at Killingsworth Tech. Do these two have something to do with that?

“Whatcha looking at? You zoned out on that hot guy who walked by,” Jessica teased, elbowing her.

“What? No!” Adeline protested, elbowing her back.

“Yeah, you totally did.”

“I zoned out, but not because I was drooling over some random guy!” Adeline tried to elbow her again, but Jessica blocked her.

“No need to get defensive over your feminine tendencies.” She laughed.

Adeline snorted, knowing her friend would remain unconvinced. “Whatever. Has Naomi picked one yet?”

“I’ve got it narrowed down to three, but I’m going to come back with my mom for some bonding time. Not that you guys aren’t great and all,” Naomi said, coming up beside them.

“We can head home now, right?” she asked, hopeful.

“Aren’t you going to get anything, though?”

“I still don’t have any idea what I want,” Adeline admitted.

“That’s why we’re at a dress shop!” Naomi rubbed her eyes, exasperated.

“Or are you too good for this place?” Jessica said in a high-pitched voice, wiggling her eyebrows.

Laughing, Adeline gave her a playful shove. “Please don’t do that, it’s creepy.”

“No, but seriously, I can’t believe she’d say something like that. Who does she think she is, trying to throw shade?”

“Uh, Ava Craybon?”

“Forget about her; we have to find Addy a dress,” Naomi cut in.

No, no we don’t!

“Yeah, but not here, ’cause Addy’s too good for this place,” Jessica repeated, linking arms with Adeline and pulling her out the door.

“Where are we going, then?” Adeline asked. “There’s nothing wrong with this store.”

“I want to see the dresses at Louise’s, so that’s where we’re going.”

“And milkshakes!” Naomi added.

Adeline sighed.

***

“I’m back, Mom!” Adeline called as she walked in the front door. “Jess and Naomi made—uh, helped—me pick out a dress, but I’m not going to show you because I want it to be a surprise!”

“I can’t wait!” Her mother’s voice came from the dining room.

“I’m going to go put it away now.”

“Okay, honey.”

After Adeline had tucked the dress away in the back of her closet, she called Sebastian.

″ ’Sup, dog?” he drawled. “Anything exciting? Oh, wait, that’s right—you don’t have a life.”

“That’s so 1600s, I’m suffering from second-hand embarrassment,” she remarked dryly. “Anyway, what should I know?”

“Tri-Shadows’ leader wants to meet with us, one of the biggest parties yet is being thrown to celebrate The Dragon’s Ladder’s release this Wednesday, and the Montcroix family opened that store I told you about several months ago. As for the leak in your company, we haven’t had much success in that area. But we’d expect him or her to cover their tracks well,” he finished.

“Tri-Shadows, huh?” That was a smaller underworld organization that wielded a bit of power, considering. Adeline brushed the pink curtains hiding her window seat to the side. She sat down, curling her legs under her. “An alliance with them could prove to be useful.”

“I know! Will and Jazz are currently working on the details.”

Adeline nibbled at her nails. “Anything else? Will texted me earlier about another arms deal.”

“Oh, yeah. This one’s not a big one, just another rich man looking for weapons to arm his thugs with.” Sebastian yawned. “Other than that, things have been kind of slow.”

Adeline yawned. “You got me doing it, too.”

“Peer pressure isn’t an excuse, Adeline.”

“Neither is stupidity, Sebastian.”

“And your point is...?”

“I saw you in the mall today,” she said abruptly.

“Where were you? I didn’t see you.” Now he sounded interested.

“With my friends, like I told you. Who were those two with you?” she asked. “I’ve never seen them before.”

“Old friends of mine.” He paused. “I guess I better get back to work. Some of us around here actually earn our paychecks. We don’t all have rich parents.”

Adeline laughed. “True. See you tomorrow.”

“Stay safe, try not to do anything stupid,” Sebastian admonished before hanging up.

She tossed her phone from hand to hand, gazing out at the front drive. Tri-Shadows could be a big help when it comes to the Craybons. I’ve heard a lot about them, but haven’t met anyone working for them. They must be looking for more connections here.

Adeline retrieved her laptop from the nightstand and returned to the window seat, setting it on her crossed legs. She chewed her lip while she waited for it to boot up. With an hour or so until dinner, she was going to do a little more research.

She typed in the password and clicked on the e-mail notification that popped up. The most recent e-mail contained a rundown on Tri-Shadows. Adeline clicked download.

“Bless you, Domino!”

About thirty minutes later, she’d read through the whole thing. As she had thought, they had few connections in the city, explaining their desire for an alliance. They hired out hackers, hit-men, and even bodyguards. But there was no doubt in Adeline’s mind about involvement in some far shadier things.

“Not that I’m one to talk,” she muttered.

Her eyes were dry from staring at the computer screen for so long, so she put eye drops in before heading downstairs. An unfamiliar voice reached her ears, coming from the lounge.

Adeline peeked into the dining room. “Hey, Mom, who’s here?”

Her mother looked up from folding napkins. “One of Jacob’s friends, Newton.”

“I don’t think I’ve met him.”

“Me either, but he seems nice.” Mrs. Killingsworth smiled. “Why don’t you go ask him if he’ll be staying for dinner?”

“Okay.” Adeline combed through her hair with her fingers and tried to pat down stray hairs as she walked away and crossed the foyer. No reason to look like she’d spent two nights in a running washing machine.

She slowed at the end of the hallway, right before the lounge. Since she couldn’t see anyone, Jacob and Newton were most likely sitting on the couches on the right. They were arguing about if putting glaze on a bagel made it a doughnut.

What?!

“Sorry to interrupt this, uh, ‘important discussion’. Mom said to ask your friend if he's staying for dinner,” Adeline said, entering the room.

“He’s staying,” Jacob affirmed. “Adeline, this is my friend, Newton; Newton, this is my sister.”

Newton looked to be around twenty, with hazel eyes and golden hair styled in a faux hawk. He’d apparently come from work because he was wearing a suit. Standing to his feet, he stuck out his hand for a handshake.

“Nice to meet you; Jacob’s always talking about you.” He smiled.

“Nice to meet you, too,” was all she could think to say. Wealthy, arrogant businessmen? Adeline could handle that. Brutal training session? Doable. Black market deals? Business as usual. Cute guys? Nope. “Well, I’ll leave before I embarrass Jacob.”

It was only a matter of time, after all.

And she needed to stay focused.

MONDAY

The sound of what could best be described as someone screaming at the top of their lungs while throwing rocks at a metal cage containing dying animals jarred Adeline awake. At five a.m.

"Stupid Sebastian!" she growled, fumbling around on the nightstand for the source of the sound--her phone. He'd switched her ringtone again. No matter how many times she changed the password or how long it was, he somehow always figured it out.

Not that Adeline never did anything in return (like painstakingly swapping every face in the photos on his phone with her own.)

Answering the call to make the ear torture stop, she snapped, "What?"

A moment of stunned silence.

"Uh, it's Will," he ventured. "Just calling to keep you updated on some things.”

"Yeah, sorry. Sebastian did it again." She hurled an innocent plush bunny into a corner, eyes glaring holes into the ceiling. "Is that why you called instead of him? And that better not be laughing I hear."

"No, no, I just had something in my throat, and I called instead because there was something I wanted to tell you personally," he explained hurriedly. "Anyway, we've got the meeting with Tri-Shadows scheduled for Friday, close to midnight, in an old cabin by the waterfront."

"You're going to scope the place out beforehand, right?" Adeline asked as she slowly crawled out from under the covers.

"Yes, though I doubt they'll try any funny stuff."

Adeline agreed. "I'll be by the compound after school to go through the reports and order requests."

"Tommy saw something last night on his rounds that he thought you'd be interested in."

"He was in the west side of the city, right?" she asked, trying to figure out what it could be. His group's main objective had been to drop off a small amount of ammunition to one of the gangs and then after that, the usual--observe and collect.

"Ryker Hapsburg paid the Craybons a visit for dinner," Will said. "Wouldn't be surprised if he's matching up with one."

Adeline grunted as she trudged to the bathroom. She wouldn't be surprised. "I guess we'll see. Tell Tommy to keep an eye on him."

"It'll be all over the news when it happens," he said lazily.

"I expect to know it first, just like always." She glowered at the tangled mass of auburn hair in the mirror, willingly the strands unsuccessfully to straighten.

"Got it. Have a good day at school!" Then he hung up, leaving Adeline to get ready.

Roughly an hour later, she was sweeping out the front door, backpack slung over one shoulder and a parfait in hand. She tossed the backpack into the rear seat of Jacob's car and slid into the front.

"Don't worry about picking me up; one of my friends is giving me a ride," she said as they started driving.

Jacob nodded, eyes on the road.

About ten minutes into the ride, Adeline put her headphones on, deciding Jacob wasn't going to talk. His eyes had remained glued to the road, jaw clenching and fingers tight around the steering wheel.

He's really concerned about the company.

The depressing piano piece playing did nothing to improve her mood, so she switched to a more upbeat song. She forced herself to quote the empty lyrics in her head to prevent thinking about anything. Yes, she needed to work on her plan, but she felt overwhelmed like she was stuck in a maze of seemingly unconnected walls that converged to imprison her.

What do the Craybons want the most? What did we have that they didn't? They care so much about their image...and image is everything. Lose face, you lose popularity, thus money and respect...it’s all downhill from there.

Adeline knew from experience just how rapidly that could happen.

Who's always in the news? Adeline answered her own question. Celebrities.

The car stopped at a red light, and Adeline studied the billboards and screens that covered almost every square inch of the city. Serena was on a massive screen, wearing clothes from some store called Your Touch. Ava graced another one with two other models.

It's been three years since I was on one of those. Not that she didn't get offers, but they were few and far between. Ava would lose it if I started modeling and doing piano concerts again.

So, of course, Adeline would have to work that into her plan. Image was everything, but it did you no good if nobody saw you.

She arrived at school a few minutes later. Jacob pulled up to the front entrance.

"Have a good day," he said, giving her a smile.

He and Will are so alike...

"Always do." She stepped out, collected her backpack, and started up the steps, turning to wave goodbye.

"Addy!" Jessica called as she waved, perched on a railing. Naomi stood beside her.

A couple of the other kids hanging around called out greetings as well, which Adeline returned.

"Want to go somewhere after school?" Jessica asked as they entered the building.

"I'd love to, but I've already got plans," Adeline said.

"Okay, cool!" She only looked a little disappointed. "Mi Mi, you and I can still go somewhere."

Naomi cringed. "Do not call me that--it makes me sound like your grandmother."

"Yeah, but..."

"Yes, we can go roam aimlessly around the mall," Naomi interrupted. "But tomorrow, I'm going to be working on a paper."

"It's not due for another..." Jessica trailed off. "Why are they whispering and looking at us?" she hissed.

Adeline didn't even look as she opened her locker. "Who cares? They're always doing that, anyway."

Ava never went anywhere without her posse of the most insecure beautiful girls, who would roam the halls acting like every other group of fakes. It used to bother Adeline, but not anymore. Popularity was a fickle thing, and not something she deemed worth fighting to keep anymore.

"Yeah, but don't you wonder sometimes?" Jessica's voice was muffled due to the fact that half of her body--somehow--had disappeared into her locker.

"No." Not really. If it's important, I know it.

"Here." Naomi tossed a pen from her purse into the locker to shorten Jessica’s daily routine of rummaging for her pen.

"Ow!" Jessica popped out, rubbing her head, pen in hand. "But I found it!"

Naomi rolled her eyes. "And here I thought I was the idiot of the group."

Adeline wasn't listening to them anymore, but the voice coming from Ava’s phone.

"To the general public, it appeared Adeline Killingsworth couldn't withstand the pressures of fame. Or perhaps she thought she could control her addiction."

It took everything in her to not slam her locker shut. As of Thursday, nobody had even watched the documentary, for the obvious reason that it played during school hours. Friday, people had started whispering when she passed them in the hallways. It was just some stupid documentary about something very real that had happened to her that, if she had been poor and nameless, no one would have thought twice about. And the fact that Ava stood there, casting sympathetic looks her direction ... that was what irritated her.

"Come on," Naomi said softly, taking Adeline by the arm and leading her away.

"Ava should be careful how she plays her games," Jessica remarked, tucking Naomi's pen behind her ear. "Drawing too much attention to your involvement in scandals could result in the opposite of what she wants."

"What are you talking about?" Naomi shot her an annoyed glare.

"She clearly wants to humiliate Addy." Jessica's eyebrows pulled together as she frowned, peeking in the pockets of her jacket and then her skirt. "But it will just make the others view her almost as an idol--she's famous, involved in scandals, in a TV series or whatever ... people are talking about her, so she's relevant." Now she was rummaging around in her bag, scowling.

"It's behind your ear," Adeline said.

"Ah, thanks." Jessica removed the pen, sticking her tongue out at Naomi, who made a face in return. "But seriously, guys, if you think about it, it makes sense."

“Yeah, it does.” Adeline chewed her lip. “See you guys in math!"

Jessica and Naomi hurried to their homeroom, and Adeline entered hers, deep in thought, voices echoing in her head.

People are talking about her, so she's relevant.

They asked me several times to do interviews, but I said no. I don't want to dig up old demons.

She blinked rapidly, realization coming over her in a wave.

***

Adeline entered the main warehouse. Any other day, she’d stop to chat with the various people coming and going or unpacking crates, but there wasn’t time. She took the spiraling stairs leading to the catwalk two at a time, nimbly weaving around the people and boxes stored there. She reached the office at the far end.

“The order requests and monthly reports are in the usual spot,” Will said from his spot behind the desk.

“I’ll look at those in a moment.” Adeline sat down in a chair opposite him. “Where’s Sebastian?”

“He’ll be here in a moment.”

“Someone call for an insanely hot superhero?” Sebastian appeared almost instantly, back against one side of the doorframe, a foot planted on the other and a hand in his hair.

“Yeah, but I don’t see him,” she said, frowning.

He made a face and sauntered over. “What do you know about hot anyway?”

“Enough to know it’s not you.”

“Shh! You’re but a child,” he said in a lilting Irish accent, adjusting his shirt. “You don’t know what you’re saying.”

Despite her best attempts not to, she started laughing, and Sebastian sat down with a smug smile.

“So what do you want to talk with us about?” Will asked.

“I’ve been thinking…” Adeline began.

“So, I’m going to stop you right there.” Sebastian leaned over, placing a finger on her lips to silence her. “Mainly because I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”

“Seriously?” She jerked away, rubbing her mouth.

“But also, this is a scientific phenomenon,” he continued, smirking.

“Shut up!” She pushed him away. “I’m trying to be serious.”

The grin vanished. “Sorry, I’m listening.”

Adeline took a moment to collect her thoughts, searching for the right words. “I’ve been developing a plan to … deal with the Craybons.”

Sebastian scowled, muttering, “And here I thought you were going to confess your love for me.”

But it didn’t elicit even so much as a grin from Adeline.

“I don’t have all the details worked out, but here’s what I’ve got. The Craybons always have to be in the spotlight, have to always be in control, and they’ll do anything to stay on top.” Adeline paused, fingers wrapping around the armrests. “They’re manipulative and ruthless.”

Sebastian watched her with hooded eyes, mouth pressed in a straight line.

“You can’t just pull off what they did to my family so seamlessly without extreme planning. And they did it almost so perfectly … I can’t help but feel like we weren’t the only ones they did this to.”

Neither Will nor Sebastian moved.

“Ever since I found out what they were capable of …” She covered her face with her hands and exhaled. “They have to be involved in more! I want someone to dig into their past and find the other people they’ve done these things to.”

“We can do that, but what exactly is that going to accomplish?” Will asked.

“Evidence, possible allies.” Adeline leaned forward.

“If--when--you find the corruptions buried there, what are you going to do with it? Use it for blackmail? Release it to the media?” That was Sebastian.

“Not blackmail,” she said, lip curling in disgust. “They deserve a whole lot more than that.”

Will grunted agreement.

“Now this part might be a little unwise of me, but just using the Alternate Demons to take them down won’t work.”

“We’re a powerful network with fingers in everybody else’s pies,” Will argued. “How could we not be enough?”

“The Craybons are good at putting on an act, and they could do it forever. And ever since they ‘took us down’, they’ve become even more convinced that they’re invincible. Alternate Demons working behind the scenes might eventually come up with something they haven’t covered, but if the Killingsworths were to start challenging them …” Adeline lowered her voice. “They won’t let that pass; they’ll do something to remove us from the picture altogether.”

Staring, Sebastian scooted to the edge of his chair.

“I’m all for justice being served, but not if it means you’ll be in danger!” he protested.

“When has that ever been a problem? I’ve been delivering, collecting, and observing in this city since I was fourteen, arranging deals and forming alliances! Danger doesn’t scare me.” More calmly, she continued, “Besides, there’s going to be danger involved no matter how we decide to do it. I’m sure the Craybons have their own group of thugs running around and doing their dirty work.”

“Phh! I’m not a thug, Adeline!” Sebastian faked offense.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been a media sensation,” Adeline said, pointedly ignoring him. “But now seems like a good time. People are talking--not just about our products--but actually about us. In fact, today’s episode of the documentary was about me.”

“You must be flattered,” Will said.

“I actually haven’t seen it yet. Or any of it, for that matter. But if the Craybons gave interviews, why shouldn’t I? Work it to my advantage, maybe accept some of those contracts I still get offered every now and again.”

“But what are you going to tell Jacob?”

Adeline’s eyes flitted away. “That I want to the interview to tell my side of the story. It’s something I have to do. If he tries to stop me, I’ll have to tell him I’m eighteen—I don’t answer to him anymore.”

Will nodded thoughtfully, brushing his hair over to one side with his fingers. “Good luck.”

Adeline sat for a moment longer before standing. She picked up the two thick manila folders lying on the desk, and Sebastian stood as well.

“We’ve got your back,” he said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

“Well, please give it back--I need that thing!” She grinned.

Sebastian’s forehead dropped onto her shoulder. Sounding like he was in pain, he gasped, “You really aren’t good at this. Please don’t.”

“Shut up, jerk!” She whirled around and hit him playfully with the folders.

In return, he flicked her ear as a wicked grin spread over his face. “C’mon, you know that you love me.”

Adeline’s eyes widened in horror as she backed away towards the door. “Dude, why are you obsessed with me?”

He rolled his eyes. “As if.”

“Look, I may not be as famous as I once was, but I still get marriage proposals from random people. So…”

Sebastian sighed. “Still in the little leagues, I see.” He waved her off. “Well, go ride your tricycle and paint with fingers paints or whatever you kids are doing these days.”

She yawned and walked away, shaking her head.

TUESDAY

“But … this isn’t mine!”

It was all Adeline could think to say at that moment, when the officerhad held up the bag filled with white powder. A bag that had come from her backpack. He grinned, his eyes blackening, face bending and folding into something grotesque. Scream stuck in her throat, she ran, the identical hallways blurring and rising and falling like waves.

Stumbling, she fell against the wall and turned, sliding down against it. She struggled to catch her breath while scanning for the officer-turned-monster.

Adeline’s head dropped, catching sight of red and white beside her. Without thinking, she picked it up. The glossy magazine was smooth and cool between her fingers. Her face was printed on its surface with a headline slapped over it that proclaimed her guilty.

There were no fingerprints on that bag! It wasn’t me! Pain spread through Adeline’s chest and she couldn’t breathe. She ripped through the pages to find the article.

“I knew she was going through some rough times. But I never thought she’d do something like this,” long-time friend Serena Craybon says. “When I found out … I was so stunned.”

Adeline slapped it shut and leaped to her feet. Even though she hadn’t had this nightmare in a while and it never played out quite the same, the same people always appeared.

Dad.

She couldn’t say it out loud.

Against her own volition, she started running towards him. His brown eyes were warm and smiling as he spread his arms out for a hug. But it was wrong--he didn’t belong within these sterilized walls.

This isn’t real, the conscious part of her warned.

The gunshot was deafening, echoing endlessly and swallowing Adeline up. Her father lurched and fell forward, landing in a crumpled heap.

Adeline screamed as a figure, gun raised, materialized at the end of the hallway. She collapsed to her knees, gasping for breath at the sight of so much blood. Digging her fingers into her temples, she closed her eyes.

Wake up, wake up, wake up!

The laugh of Joshua Craybon rang in her ears as arms clamped around her arms and torso.

“Let me go! Let me go!” she yelled.

The arms turned to sheets, tangled around her sweat-soaked body. Adeline sat up, sucking in gulps of air while tears trickled down her face. She unwrapped herself and stumbled to the bathroom for water to soothe her burning throat.

The last time Adeline had seen her father alive was the morning of the accident. It'd been just two weeks after being framed for dealing and possibly doing drugs. She’d been declared innocent, but the damage was already done--in the minds of the public, she was guilty. Her parents had tried to cheer her up with a dozen different things from ice cream to a weekend trip, but she'd declined. So instead, the two had gone for a quiet dinner.

Why didn’t I just say yes? She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, but the tears kept coming.

Authorities found the car around eleven, off of a quiet back road at the bottom of an embankment. It was riddled with bullets and the windshield was shattered.

Adeline had seen it before they removed it—its twisted frame was a scar in the peaceful woods, adorned with out-of-place maroon splatters. The story the news told was not the same one that Serena’s cold face and Joshua Craybon’s glittering eyes told. She might have been more self-focused back then...but not stupid.

Her father had enemies--that was true--but not because he owed anyone money.

Adeline swallowed and opened one of the cupboards to get a rag. She wet it and wiped her face off, trying to take the bad memories away with the sweat.

It was almost funny how much and yet how little money could buy: popularity, a prettier face, an easy way to the top … things not worth the price of never knowing who your friends really were. And loyalty and honor weren’t something you could just pay extra for.

The way the Craybons had covered their tracks was the same way Adeline had painstakingly retraced them—pay the right people the right price. It had been a slow process with many details left uncovered, but enough to keep her up at night cursing the day she’d ever trusted them, or anyone for that matter. Anyone she might have gone to for help the Craybons could easily silence. It would have been pointless. But now …

I’m not so easily dealt with.

She slammed the cupboard shut, dropped the rag onto the counter top and returned to her bedroom. The door to the hallway was open.

Adeline tensed, scanning the room.

“Jacob?” she queried.

“I … I heard a noise and wondered if you were okay,” he said.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” She continued to her bed, head down. “Just a weird stress dream. Uh, sorry I woke you up.”

Jacob sighed, no doubt crossing his arms. “It was the nightmares again, wasn’t it? Adeline, you can tell me about them.”

She flopped onto her bed and pulled the sheets up to her chin even though she wasn’t cold. “It was just a stress dream from a combination of dress shopping and an upcoming test at school.”

“Adeline, I—”

“Stop saying my name! I’m sorry I woke you up, thank you for coming to check on me. But it was just a bizarre dream and I’m trying to go back to sleep,” she grumbled.

He sighed again. “Good-night, then.” He left, pausing in the doorway. “I love you, Addy.”

“Good-night. I love you, too,” she whispered.

She shut her eyes, hoping to block out the images of her parents in those white rooms, hooked to a dozen humming machines. More scalding tears dripped onto her pillow.

***

“Is the documentary bothering you?” Jacob abruptly broke the stillness.

Adeline tore her gaze away from the view outside the car window. “No.” She frowned.

Is now the right time to tell him?

“Not … exactly.”

“What do you mean?” he pressed.

Adeline chewed her bottom lip and took a deep breath. “I was thinking about the requests from MCIN for interviews for their documentary and … and I’d like to do one.”

Jacob blinked. “I’m sorry, what?”

“I want to do an interview for The Killingsworth Tragedies.”

He stared at her. “You can’t be serious!”

“Deadly so.” Her expression remained determined despite the stormy expression building in his eyes.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” He slammed his hand against the steering wheel. “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard come out of your mouth.”

“This is something I have to do, Jacob.”

“No, it’s not!” The car sped up as he aggressively wove through the early morning traffic.

“Yes, it is!” she snapped. “I need to tell my side of the story, and I’m going to do just

that--with or without your permission.”

Jacob refused to look at her. “You’ve missed your chance anyway. They’ve filmed the whole thing.”

“Yes, but their documentary isn’t complete without an interview from at least one of us,” she argued.

He slammed on the brakes in front of the school’s main entrance, finally turning to look at her. “If you’re so determined to do this, then fine, be my guest. As you said, I’m not going to stop you.”

Adeline clenched the straps of her backpack tighter to keep from biting her fingernails . She cleared her throat. “I’m sorry, but I need to do this.”

Jacob’s pained expression deepened as he looked past her. “Then do it.” He leaned forward, tucking a strand of auburn hair behind her ear. “I’ll … I’ll be there for you.”

Adeline blinked rapidly, annoyed by the tears pricking her eyes. “That means a lot to me. Thanks.”

“What are brothers for?” He forced a small smile, reaching out to ruffle her hair.

“No! Don’t you dare!” She ducked away, opening the car door, and scrambled out.

“Bye, brat!” Jacob called, smiling like nothing had even happened.

“Shut up!” She slammed the door and the sleek vehicle zipped away.

Adeline breathed a sigh of relief. Whether he’s happy with it or not, at least he’s supporting me instead of trying to stop me.

“You’re late!” Jessica skipped down the stairs and looped her arm around Adeline’s.

“Naomi already in class?”

“Yeah. C’mon, let’s go.”

“How about a selfie?” Adeline grinned, pulling her phone out.

“Sure.” Jessica struck a pose with her arm flung around Adeline’s neck, infectious smile in place. Adeline snapped the picture and posted it to her Instagram with the caption Another school day!

The two hadn’t even made it to their lockers when a teacher stopped them.

“Adeline, I was just looking for you!” she said.

“Go on, I’ll catch up,” Adeline told Jessica.

“As you know, the annual charity fundraiser is coming up, and we’re looking for students to help us organize it. You’re not involved in any sports this year so I thought maybe you’d have some extra time to lend a hand?”

“I don’t think that’s going to work,” Adeline said, scratching the back of her head.

“It’s for a good cause and it’ll look good on your college applications!” Mrs. Castillo peered eagerly at her through her stylish glasses.

“I’m sorry, I have a lot of other things going on.”

“Don’t you think Mother Theresa had many other things going on? Yet she still found time to help the poor and needy. The kids just get more selfish with each generation.

”

Mrs. Castillo had a reputation for being pushy, and there wasn’t a single person that hadn’t eventually given into the small woman. This was mainly a result of the length she'd go to "persuade" someone to agree.

What harm could helping organize a charity do? It shouldn’t be that involved, right?

“Uh, okay. I guess I can.”

“Wonderful!” Mrs. Castillo patted her on the cheek before whirling away, already focused on the next problem. She called over her shoulder, “Oh, and Ava will be helping as well.”

Oh, what have I gotten myself into?

Shaking her head, she headed to class. She texted Jacob, telling him she had a ride home with a friend.

***

Adeline fastened her seat belt.

“So tell me about this crazy plan of yours,” Jazz said, twirling a blue-laced cornrow around her finger. The twenty-year-old African American was intimidating with her apparent lack of emotions. For this reason, she was almost always tasked with the job of collecting payments.

Adeline filled her in.

“I don’t even know what to say except that you should call them, the sooner the better,” Jazz said.

“Could you get me the number I need?”

“Sure, gimme a second.” A few moments later, Jazz had the phone number. “It’s director Vince Givondi’s business number. Technically, the public’s not supposed to have it,

but …”

“I’m not the public, so you can tell me.”

“If I give it to you, you better hang up with an interview scheduled,” Jazz warned.

“Easy. Now tell me!” Adeline coaxed, trying to keep her patience.

“Here.” Jazz handed her a tablet with all of Vince Givondi’s contact information, from e-mails to private phone numbers.

“Thank you.” She quickly dialed the number Jazz pointed to.

“Hello, Madylin from MCIN speaking; how may I help you?” a woman answered after a few rings.

“Hello, Madylin, I’m really interested in The Killingsworth Tragedies and have some questions I’d like to ask Mr. Givondi.”

There was a moment of silence. “I’m sorry, he’s currently not available, but I could take a message.”

“Alright, thank you.” Adeline paused. “Tell him Adeline Killingsworth called and would like to do an interview.”

“I … I can transfer you if you’d like,” she stammered.

“No, that’s okay. Just have him call me back when he can. Thank you for your help, and have a nice day!”

“Thank you; you too!”

Adeline ended the call, grinning.

Jazz crossed her arms, unimpressed.“You didn’t get the interview, and you just wanted to a do a casual name drop, didn’t you?”

“Uh, no I didn’t.”

In the front, Ivy laughed.

Now Jazz rolled her eyes. “Yes you did, don’t lie to me! Otherwise, you would have told her who you were at the beginning.”

“Okay, okay! Let a girl have some fun!” Adeline huffed, throwing her arms up.

Jazz opened her mouth to reply, but Adeline’s phone started ringing.

“How much do you want to bet that’s him?” Adeline grinned slyly.

“That’s not even a bet,” Jazz complained. “Of course it’s him. Now answer the stupid thing!”

Wincing as her friend none too gently punched her in the shoulder, Adeline answered the phone.

“Hello, Adeline speaking.”

“Hello, Adeline, it’s Vince Givondi. My secretary told me you called about doing an interview with us?”

She made an “I-told-you-so” face at Jazz, who remained unmoved. “Yes.”

“Unfortunately, we’ve already filmed all the documentary’s episodes. But if you were to come in this week, we would have enough time to redo the last episode,” he offered.

“Are you sure? As of today, you’re already half-way through our life stories.”

Vince gave a short laugh. “Maybe a third. But that’s beside the point. Let’s talk dates--what time are you free this week? Each episode is an hour long, so you’ll need a chunk of at least three hours.”

“Anytime after school hours works best for me, but I can make time.” Adeline gave him one of her many email addresses. “E-mail me with any more details that need to be worked out.”

“I will.”

“I can make time to do it tomorrow,” she offered. “Will that work?”

“I can make it, yeah,” Vince said over the rustling of papers and slamming of desk drawers.

“I’ve got to go now. Thank you for your time and I’m looking forward to talking to you tomorrow.”

“Thank you for your time—”

Adeline hung up, triumphant. “We’re on!”

“Pick you up from school tomorrow?” Ivy asked.

“Yes, please.”

“Oh, check this out,” Jazz said, flashing Adeline her phone screen. It was a poolside selfie of a beaming Serena and Rhyker.

“I already saw; it’s purely a power move for publicity like Will suspected.” Adeline was disgusted. “I thought the Hapsburgs were better than this.”

Jazz shrugged. “Anyway, are you coming by the compound?” she asked as the car turned onto the road leading by Adeline’s house.

Adeline shook her head. “No, not today. I’ve got an art project I have to finish and a couple other things that need to be taken care of.”

***

The anxiousness built up until Adeline couldn’t take it anymore. Painting the paper mache dragon had been a little soothing but, towards the end, became messy and frustrating. And now she was pacing the lounge, paint encrusted hands shoved into the pockets of her skirt.

The sunlight streaming through the windows was infuriatingly cheery. Adeline resisted grabbing one of the cream pillows from the couch and hurling it across the room.

Her fingers started twitching. She fought the urge, but still found herself walking across the foyer, footsteps echoing in the stillness. Doorway tucked away in the far right corner, the haven of Adeline’s earlier days awaited.

It was a small room that jutted out from the side of the house, enclosed with seamless glass walls. It was empty save for the Grand piano that sat looking towards the distant city.

Adeline cautiously approached it, reaching out a hand.

It’s been awhile.

Her finger slid across the surface of the smooth keys as she exhaled. Sitting down, she rested both hands in her lap and didn’t move. Couldn’t move. So many memories. Practicing scales over and over until her brain could no longer keep up ... playing songs for an audience of a million twinkling stars long after everyone was asleep…

Adeline started playing, notes gradually building, a symphony of sorrows cascading from her fingertips that blended seamlessly with the Moonlight Sonata.

Why did I ever stop?

Because it makes you feel things you don’t want to, she answered herself. Makes you face things you try to forget.

Stop it, Addy! Stop it!

But she couldn’t. No matter how many times she walked away, she was always pulled back by the invisible cord that seemed to wrap around her soul. This instrument understood her, knew her better than anyone. Music was the one language that had no words, yet it’d been whispering in her ear for as long as she could remember.

Adeline shook her head, breaking the trance and stopping right before the last measure as she retracted her fingers. Pushing the bench back, she stood to her feet and left the room without a backwards look. The un-played chords echoed in her ears, a promise of her inevitable return.

WEDNESDAY

“Are you serious right now?” Jessica huffed. “We’re talking about the Vince Givondi, and you couldn’t figure out a way to sneak me in or something so I can meet him or get an autograph or… or…”

Adeline closed her eyes, pinching the bridge of her nose in a futile effort to relieve the pressure building up in her skull.

“I’ll get you an autograph,” she promised. Hopefully, Ivy would have some Ibuprofen or Aspirin, or even just something to drink.

“Fine—it’s a deal!” A toothy smile split Jessica’s face as she shoved open the door marked Entrance. Despite the harsh punishments for using the wrong doors (due to it being one of the principal’s biggest pet peeves), she had continued to do so.

As her friend jogged across the parking lot, Adeline breathed a sigh of relief. The girl never ran out of energy and basically radiated sunshine; today it made her head ache more than it already did.

Wearily, she pushed open the Exit door. A rush of sneeze-inducing summer air blasted her in the face, causing her eyes to water so much she had to close them for a moment. The swoosh swoosh of cars speeding by formed a rhythmic background for the flock of crows insulting one another from their rooftop perches.

“I don’t have all day!” Sebastian called from the SUV parked at the fringe of the school parking lot.

Adeline couldn’t help but grin. She opened her eyes and started walking, grit and bits of asphalt crunching under her shoes. A familiar tingling spread from her fingers down through her legs, and she swallowed, nervous excitement racing through her veins.

I’m going to be doing an interview again. Her smile widened despite the twisting of her gut.

“ ’Sup?” Sebastian drawled when she drew closer. Sprawled across the back seat on his stomach, his head was propped up on his folded arms, eyes half-closed due to the glaring sun.

Adeline eyed him as she slid her backpack off her shoulder and swung it into the open vehicle. It landed on Sebastian’s back with a heavy thump, a pink mechanical pencil flying from one of its mesh pockets.

“Ouch!” Sebastian winced, drawing back as Adeline slammed the car door shut.

She stalked around the back of the car to the other rear door, pulling it open and sliding inside. Skin prickly at the wash of cold air over her, she tilted her head back, relishing the feeling.

“Do you have anything for a headache?” Adeline asked hopefully, grabbing one of the half-full water bottles from the cup holder.

Ivy’s slender eyebrows pulled together as she frowned. “I’m sorry, no. But your change of clothes is in the back, along with some makeup.”

“Thanks,” she mumbled before taking a gulp of water.

“It’s going to take a lot more than makeup and a change of clothes to fix all of that,” Sebastian spat, gesturing in her direction.

Adeline rolled her eyes again, something she found she couldn’t help but do when he was around. “And which one of us was a supermodel?”

He started coughing, then choking, banging his hands against the headrest of the seat in front of him, face turning red. Gasping for breath between each hoarse word, he forced out, “Key word, Addy: was.”

Adeline had the sudden urge to chuck something at him. But since that was probably the reaction he was looking for, she just huffed and glared at him.

“You were cute as a little kid, but now… Sorry, that’s just so hilarious.”

“Only you,” she remarked dryly, arching an eyebrow.

A police siren wailed in the distance, gradually growing louder. She searched for the flashing lights, but couldn’t see any in the flood of vehicles.

“Ivy, did you hear that?” Sebastian gasped, causing Adeline to return her attention to him.

Confused, Ivy nodded.

“I meant ‘Only you’ as in, ‘only you could be so stupid’, not ‘you’re the only one in my heart,’ or anything stupid like that,” Adeline interrupted. The throbbing in her temples was a full out symphony of drums, and the too-bright sun and Sebastian’s infantile behavior certainly didn’t help.

“When we get there, you’ll have thirty minutes to get prepared,” Ivy said. “And I assume you already have the list of questions?”

Adeline’s face twisted as she nodded.

“Were they that bad?” Sebastian asked.

“No, no, the first couple are just general ones about my childhood—like when I started playing the piano, what got me into modeling, why I quit ballet, what family life was like.”

Sebastian moved her backpack to the floor, glancing at her sideways. “You can’t make an interesting episode off the answers to those.”

“The other half of the questions are the…” She paused. “…personal ones—how did I feel about being framed? Did I ever consider taking drugs? Do I feel betrayed by the fact that the Craybons didn’t believe my testimony? Where was I when I received news of my parents’ accident?” she rattled them off. “Then they ask me questions about how I dealt with everything that happened to me. Like what my coping mechanisms were, how I feel about it all looking back, what my plans for the future are.”

He blinked and leaned towards her, lips pressed into a thin line. “Did you spend all night preparing?”

Adeline considered for a moment. “No, not really.”

If you don’t count reliving your traumatic experiences via nightmares despite the fact that you should be able to deal with that stuff, then no, I did not.

“But you feel prepared?” His soft voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

“Yeah. Of course.” Clearing her throat, she looked at the floor, forming patterns from the Twinkie crumbs. It wasn’t a total lie, at least. She bit her lip, wanting to ask Sebastian how he’d answer those questions if it were him. Even though he goofed his way through a lot of situations, he always seemed to know what to say when it mattered most.

But… shouldn’t she know how to handle it? She couldn’t always depend on him to solve all of her problems and this wasn’t even that big a deal. She could manage.

Sebastian’s gaze remained trained on her face, boring into her aching brain. No, she wouldn’t ask him anything.

His eyes narrowed and, for a moment, Adeline feared he’d inquire further.

Instead, he grinned, putting his hands behind his head. “Well, okay; just as long as you don’t mess this up.”

Sighing, she rolled her eyes and chucked the water bottle at him with more force than she’d intended. “I’m not going to.”

Sebastian deftly caught it and lobbed it back. “Would you please stop your feeble attempts at maiming this beautiful face? Thanks.”

She snatched the bottle from where it had landed beside her. Wrinkling her nose, she took a swig.

Now they were in the business district of the Cerulle, the part of the city Adeline could see best from her lounge’s windows. The Killingsworth Tech skyscraper loomed above the others, gray-blue sides glimmering against the clear sky. Her lips curled into a small smile at its majesty.

The car came to a stop at a light and people flooded across the crosswalk, jostling against one another and avoiding eye contact. Their near-expressionless faces held the determination of people with too many places to go, too much to do, and not enough time. Adeline chewed her fingernail, eyes narrowing.

Work, sleep, work, sleep—do everything in your power to get to the top.

It was everyone’s end goal, wasn’t it? No, that couldn’t be right.

There had to be more to this--to life, to people--than that. Her mother would say that God had a greater purpose for everyone, but...

She frowned and gave her head a little shake. Pinkie nail reduced to a stub, she shoved those thoughts away and buried her hand in the folds of her skirt.

“Feeling nervous?” Sebastian asked as the car glided forward.

“No, just thinking.”

“I wish you’d do more of that,” he said, glancing out the window.

Adeline opened her mouth to retort, but the words stuck in her throat. The sunlight flickering through the portals of crisscrossing overpasses played across his face. Since when had his jawline been that strong and his eyes so sharp? And a calculating look was etched into his striking features that she’d never noticed.

There was a sharp pang in her side, a wave of horror washing over her. How was it possible to know someone so well and yet perceive so little of them?

He turned, gaze meeting hers. What had she been thinking? The young man vanished—an illusion of lighting and her sleep-deprived brain—and Sebastian was back.

“Didn’t anybody ever tell you staring was rude?”

He smirked.

“You’re really going to need to up your insult game,” she snorted, crossing her arms and wrinkling her nose.

“I’d advise you to do the same, but you don’t even have one.”

“Alright, you two. Get out, and don’t forget the things in the back,” Ivy instructed, pulling up to the curb. “I’ll be in shortly.”

“Thanks, Ivy.” Adeline squirmed out of her seatbelt and opened the door.

Sebastian exited the vehicle and made his way to the trunk, where he retrieved the garment bag and makeup case. Adeline shut the trunk and the two walked side by side toward the building. Even though it only had forty-five floors to be compared to the Killingsworth’s seventy-nine, its curving glass and concrete sides were still impressive. Five wide steps led up to the double doors, over which Michael’s Celebrity Insider News had been engraved in golden lettering.

Sebastian opened the door for her and she nodded her thanks, noting his “Serious Sebastian face” (as he’d so dubbed it). She stifled a giggle, knowing he’d get upset if he heard it. For a moment, she almost forgot her headache, but her stomach churned as she stepped inside.

Directly to the right was the sleek metal front desk. In the middle of the lobby was a cylindrical aquarium filled with colorful plants and tropical fish, but Adeline couldn't take the time to fully appreciate its beauty.

“M-miss Killingsworth!” One of the women behind it leaped up. “The dressing rooms you’re looking for are on the third floor. I can show you to them, if you would like.”

“Thank you, I’d appreciate that.” She glanced around, trying to descreetly wipe her sweaty palms. No amount of modeling gigs, concerts, or interviews could completely erease the nervousness that always took over.

The woman smoothed her black hair, skirting around the edge of the desk and hurrying over. “I’m Eliza Dober, and let me tell you what a pleasure it is to meet you!”

Adeline shook her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”

Eliza smiled, her round eyes crinkling at the corners. “I still listen to your music; you’re amazing on the piano!”

“Oh, thank you.” She smiled, dipping her head, wondering if the woman could tell how pale she was under the warm lights.

"This way, please."

Eliza led them around the aquarium to the elevators and stairway on the opposite side. There was no music in the elevator, much to Adeline’s relief—just a quiet hum as they ascended to the proper floor.

Before the doors were fully open, Eliza had squeezed out and rushed down the hallway, her heels clacking on the spotless floor like a metronome. Even with her long legs, Adeline struggled to catch up. Not that she had to worry about getting lost—she could just follow the sound of various people calling out greetings to Eliza.

Adeline turned a corner, Sebastian close on her heels.

Eliza halted before a room with the label Adeline affixed on the door. “We have a stylist ready if you need one,” she offered as she opened the door.

“That’s okay—I can manage,” Adeline said. She bit her lip as Sebastian plowed into her, trampling the back of her shoes. No doubt he had been scanning for security cameras again, a behavior he had a harder time curbing than she.

“Awesome! Just let us know if you need anything. Someone will come and get you when it’s time to start filming.” Eliza scanned the interior before giving a little shrug. “Well, I’ll let you get ready!”

Adeline smiled and gave a little wave as the woman walked away. The moment her back was turned, Adeline knocked Sebastian away with her shoulder.

“Clutz,” she hissed.

Unmoved, he brushed past her into the room.

“I’ll be outside,” he said, placing the garment bag and makeup case on the vanity.

“Okay. Grab me something for my headache, please.”

With a nod, he shut the door behind him with a click.

Finally some peace.

<><><><>

Adeline checked her reflection one last time, taking a deep breath to calm the butterflies in her stomach. Her hair tumbled in gentle waves over her shoulders, loose tendrils framing her face. And the cherry blossom pink of her skirt complimented her skin and glowing cheeks.

Frowning, she pulled a strand of hair off the white bodice and smoothed the skirt one last time, adjusting the delicate gold choker.

All ready.

Inhaling deeply, she crossed the room and opened the door. Sebastian was leaning against the wall, studying the ceiling with such concentration that Adeline couldn't help but look up, too.

There was nothing there.

“It took you all that time and you still look like that?” Sebastian yawned.

Adeline smiled sweetly, batting her eyelashes.

“Please don’t,” he groaned, rubbing his eyes. “There’s nothing more cringe-worthy than below-average amateur flirts.”

Adeline lifted her chin. “Why do you think I try to stay as far away from you as possible?”

One of Sebastian's eyebrows rose. “Because you can’t control yourself around me?”

Her arm shot out, fist catching him in the shoulder, even though he could have easily avoided it.

With a gasp faker than the flat-earth, she covered her mouth. “I’m so sorry! I couldn’t help it.”

“I’d say you hit like a girl, but I don’t want to be sexist and insult all the other able-bodied females,” he said, eyes fixed on a spot on the wall behind her.

“You and Jacob are too much alike.”

“Hardly.”

“You’re both annoying and stupid,” she snorted, dissatisfied with his lack of reaction.

“But the ladies love us—”

Adeline jabbed his chest with her finger. “Don’t you dare wink or touch your hair.”

His blue eyes met hers, full of amusement. “Or what?”

“They’re ready for us,” Ivy announced, striding around the corner, heels clicking a rapid tempo on the smooth floor. “You look stunning, Adeline.”

“Thanks, Ivy,” Adeline said, smiling sweetly. She scowled at Sebastian, eyes narrowing before she turned away.

“I’m watching you,” she hissed.

“Who isn’t?” he called after her, laughing, as she marched down the hallway.

Serena nibbled on the mini chocolate covered cheesecake, eyeballing the colorful spread of desserts through the thickening crowd. She barely glanced at the towering ice creatures, flawlessly carved in such realism that every shift in lightning created the illusion of breathing. Even the hypnotizing movements of the aerial dancers, the skirts of their dresses shimmering and changing with the lights over the stage, couldn’t hold her attention. The food all looked so mouth-watering delicious--strawberry cake rolls, lemon macarons, thandai cheesecakes made of sweet perfection, and assorted pavlovas, not to mention the dishes on other tables that she had yet to look at yet.

Wrinkling her nose, she chomped down on her sweet, scowling. It was a bigger bite than she’d intended and now there was less to savor.

People swarmed over the bloodred carpet, their laughs a symphony of fakeness that grated on Serena’s nerves. The clink and clatter of cutlery against china took the place of her heart thumping in her ear, the rush of liquid pouring into glasses threatening to sweep her away from the thousands of eyes burning holes through her body.

The explosion of chocolate and strawberry across her tongue left an aftertaste of sawdust as she glanced at her phone. Only midnight--several hours to go before she could pull the covers over her head, stick her earbuds in and try to block out the constant gnawing of her empty stomach.

“Serena?”

Taking every ounce of will power left not to curl her lip up, she turned her attention to the slender blonde glued to her side.

“Yes?”

“Where’s Rhys? I wanted to give him my compliments and catch up.” Vivian pulled a mirror from her clutch--definitely worth at least two thousand and for once without a price tag still attached--to check her reflection.

“I’m not sure. Probably talking to friends. Would you like me to find him?” The words tasted of sour milk despite how they dripped, honey-smooth, from her mouth.

Patting invisible stray hairs flat and smacking her lips once, then twice, Vivian shook her head. “Oh, thank you, but that’s okay. I’ll find him eventually.” She smiled, but her green eyes remained empty as ever.

“Good luck.” And good riddance. Serena made a face inwardly; satisfying, but not nearly as much as it would be to speak her mind and tell people to stop treating her like a ladder they could climb.

A pause came between songs, and she sucked in a deep breath. If only this party had been any other night but tonight.

As a ripple of murmurs bled into the booming bass of the next song, she glanced up. Gradually at first, people parted down the middle, waves of confusion spreading over the crowd as a woman strode up the path cleared.

The lights changed from dragon’s eye green to scarlet, each color fading seamlessly into the other with the beat. Squinting against the lights shining on the statues frozen behind her, she just made out the high-heeled figure clad in a black dress, the diamonds on her forehead band, choker, and lace sleeves sparkling as she strode closer.

The lights flared brighter as the chorus kicked in. Hair the color of a dying Japanese maple tree rested on squared shoulders, Maya blue eyes framed by thick lashes and pink lips pulled into the straightest of lines.

How--no, why--in a million years was she here? Exactly what did she hope to accomplish? Brave and bold...but stupid none the less. What a fool.

“Oh hello, Adeline!” The skin on her cheeks threatened to split as Serena forced her mouth to imitate a smile as her hand waved of its own accord. As if this night couldn’t get any more draining, now another person had been added to the Try Not to Show How Much You Abhor This Person in Front of Cameras list.

Adeline tilted her head to the side, returning the smile and giving a small laugh. “I just came to let Rhys know how happy I am for his success.”

“You’re so sweet!” Serena’s skin crawled at the sparkle in Adeline’s eyes.

“Thank you. It’s been a while--I missed you.”

Almost too late, she clenched her jaw to keep the retort inside, despite how it made her insides burn with anger. But with so many people watching, she was not about to back down first.

Adeline moved closer, a whiff of vanilla and something spicy proceeding her. Serena had always hated the smell and even now, couldn’t help but cough a little.

Narrowing her eyes, she studied the girl mere steps from her for a moment longer. “Why are you really? We both know you’re lying.”

Nothing new for her.

“Rhys was really good in that movie.” Adeline shrugged, a small wrinkle appearing between her eyebrows as they inched closer together. Lower, she spit out, “Your family took everything. And now, it’s time to return the favor.”

Of all the things Serena had expected to come out, it hadn’t been anything close to that. She gasped, paralyzed by the venom in Adeline’s freezing eyes. They stood there, suspended in the moment between heartbeats, between inhale and exhale, the sculptors judging in silence.

Adeline turned away, shattering the spell, each step a thunderclap despite the sea of voices and Serena’s hammering pulse. Her blood boiled, anger searing through her veins and blocking her vision. Did Adeline really think she could just walk in here, threaten her and then leave? Just like that? After everything she’d already done?

“Don’t get hurt,” Serena hurled after her.

But Adeline kept walking without any indication that she’d heard, let alone cared.

Serena had never hated anyone more.

Sitting in the cracked orange chair across from Ava became excruciating. For the past twenty minutes, all she’d done was trace invisible patterns on the ceiling as she twirled her gold earring around a finger. Each clink of its delicate chain shredded Adeline’s nerves further.

“So do you have any ideas for the fundraiser since you don’t like any of mine?” Adeline pushed through clenched teeth. Not only did her head feel as though tissues stuffed every inch of her skull, but this whole charity thing had been nothing but a pain.

Ava paused mid-chew, eyes narrowing before continuing to chaw her gum. The fluorescent light hanging from the spotted ceiling tiles flickered, the growl of an air conditioner echoing through the walls.

“No.”

“Okay fine, then I’ll have Mrs. Castillo pick one from my list.”

Snatching the newspaper cuttings about last year’s charity event off the table, Adeline slapped them inside a manila folder and shoved it into her backpack.

With a sigh, Ava rested her cheek against her palm and rolled her eyes. “Stop pretending like this is super important to you.”

“Well, it’s clearly not to you.”

“Come on, we both know we’re only doing this because Mrs. Castillo can’t take no for an answer.”

Now it was impossible to keep in the frustrated growl. “It doesn’t matter why I’m doing this. But I am, so I’m going to do my best.”

Yanking her backpack from the table, Adeline dropped it by her chair and instantly regretted it--who knew if she’d even be able to pry it off the sticky floor when this ordeal finished? She glanced at Ava, who raised an eyebrow and, planting her elbows on the table, leaned forward.

“Even the school doesn’t care. Just look at the room they put us in, not to mention the fact that nobody else even showed up to this stupid meeting.” She gestured at the room in all its dust-coated, moldy glory: a floor that boasted puke colored stains older than Adeline and walls even the crusty paint hated, not to mention the strange smell of formaldehyde and ancient socks.

Adeline grimaced. “Agreed.”

Eyes widening for a split second, Ava blinked and then flopped back in the chair. It slid across the floor, creaking and groaning as though it was going to break into a dozen pieces at any moment.

“But since I’m the only one doing any work, I don’t see why I have to stay here to do it—I could do this anywhere but here. And I’ve got other things to do than sit here with you.” Standing, Adeline jerked her backpack from the floor and pried the energy drink from the table. Some of the liquid splashed out but wiping it up seemed pointless.

Ava shot up, her jaw-dropping in indignation. “You can’t just leave me here, Adeline!”

Really? Adeline clenched the can, thumb crumpling the thin aluminum as she rolled her eyes. “And why not?”

“Why should I have to deal with Mrs. Castillo?”

“Why should I have to do all the work?”

Hoisting her backpack over her shoulder, Adeline strode to the door. Due to the uneven frame and immovable knob, it was open a crack, allowing a whiff of basement air to waft in. Even though it reeked like Sebastian’s week-old gym socks in the summer sun, it was crisp mountain air compared to whatever she was currently breathing.

“C’mon, Addy, please?”

She froze, hand hovering over the knob. Water sloshed through pipes, transporting her to under a stairway, pitch black save for a sliver of light creeping under the crawlspace door. Her shoulder ached with phantom pain from the edge of a stair digging into her skin, wrist sweaty from Ava squeezing it to keep from whimpering. Serena’s muffled voice slithered through the cracks, demanding they reveal themselves this instant and explain the shattered perfume bottle on her bedroom floor.

Swallowing the memory along with the bitter taste in her mouth, Adeline flung the door open. A gust of air washed over her and her skin tingled, hair standing on end. She couldn’t get out of this cursed room fast enough.

“Addy--”

Whirling, she pinned Ava in place with a glare. “Don’t. Don’t you ever call me that again.”

The squeak of a janitor’s cart drew closer, and heavy footsteps pounded above. Ava stared with wide, unblinking eyes, lips pressed in a straight line.

“Only my friends can call me that,” she finished. Her voice echoed in the room, flat and hollow, burning into her brain.

Without waiting for a reaction or even a response from Ava, Adeline dashed for the stairs. Her vision blurred and she blinked, but it didn’t help. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and glanced down, wondering why it came back wet.

####

Adeline stopped by her locker for no reason. Hands shaking—perhaps from the caffeine—she typed in her combination and opened the door. An avalanche of mechanical pencils tumbled to the floor with a clatter, rolling in a dozen directions across the gritty floor. Fluttering after came crumpled protein bar wrappers, shiny insides sticky with residue.

“Ugh, I thought I already threw those away.” She sighed, checked the time, and sighed again. Ivy and Sebastian wouldn’t arrive for another ten minutes.

To keep from sighing a third time, Adeline took another swig of the energy drink. She crouched, gathering the wrappers and pencils within reach; no use putting in extra effort getting ones she wouldn’t use. Maybe Jessica would pick them up and stop asking Adeline and Naomi for something to write with.

Doubtful, but--

“Hey, can you help me?”

“Ah!” She leaped to her feet, stumbling back and dropping the wrappers and pencils.

“I’m so sorry,” the man apologized. “Let me pick those up.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that.” But her protest was half-hearted.

The man knelt, offering Adeline the opportunity to scrutinize him. He was around her age, probably a few years older, judging by the smooth skin and boyish look. Nothing stood out about him, from the brown hair framing his round face to the black cargo pants and Steelers T-shirt.

He stretched for a wrapper, the sleeve of his over-sized shirt sliding up to reveal well-defined muscle. Rising with ease, he stepped forward, balancing on the balls of his feet; each movement flowed into the next, chin high and shoulders back but relaxed. It reminded Adeline of her mother when she danced, twirling and flying effortlessly through the air, body one with the music.

“I’m really sorry to bother you further, but I’m looking for a Mr. Feist?”

Adeline blinked. “I’m sorry?”

The corners of his eyes crinkled as a small smile appeared. “Could you show me where Mr. Feist’s office is?”

“Oh.” She paused. “He’s probably gone home already, but we can go check.”

Resisting the urge to ask why he needed to see the history teacher, she shut her locker with a snap. She turned on her heel and started down the hallway. The man’s footsteps sounded after, so light they could have been an echo of her own.

“I’m Adeline, by the way.”

“Nice name,” he said, but he didn’t offer his own.

She frowned, debating whether she should ask him what his name was or how he knew Mr. Feist. As she turned the corner, she caught sight of him out of the corner of her eye. An intensity not present before coursed through his motions, from the way his arms no longer brushed his sides to how his shoulders inched forward, head lowered.

And then she couldn’t see him, though his eyes burned into her back and her skin crawled.

You’re being paranoid because you barely slept and now you’re guzzling caffeine. Adeline shook her head, but she couldn’t help but wish Sebastian was walking beside her.

The air conditioner kicked in, bathing her face in lukewarm air. A fly buzzed against one of the floor-to-ceiling windows, confused by the invisible wall and oblivious to the carcasses of his kind piled in the corners of the sill and overflowing the net of a spider’s web. On the opposite side of the building, a door crashed shut, and Adeline’s pounding heart skipped a beat.

Last time I drink one of these things, she thought, glaring at the neon pink and green can clenched in her hand.

“Here, it’s that blue door right by the exit.” She spun to face the man. “Since it’s closed, he’s already left, though you could leave a note.”

He nodded, glancing at the door. His eyes scanned the corners and ceilings before focusing on Adeline again.

She hadn’t been sure before, but now there was no doubt that something was off. Her gut screamed at her to get away but there wasn’t any way to do that without turning her back to the man.

“Can I leave by this door?”

What door is he...oh. The exit door, of course--the one a few feet behind her.

He only took one step forward, but the space between them seemed to shrink until they were inches apart.

Swallowing, she straightened and stared him in the eyes. Maybe he’d see her as too much trouble to bother with and leave. “Yeah.”

Glaring at him as he drew closer, she lifted her chin, daring him to try something. Even as he brushed by, so close his breath was hot on her neck, his sneakers made the faintest of taps.

It took every ounce of willpower to not jerk away as their arms bumped and the back of his hand brushed hers. Adeline’s lungs stopped working, frozen along with her limbs. Whoever this man was, he was no Jeremy Reich.

Only when she heard the creak of the door opening did she finally moved, lurching forward as she checked over her shoulder. Despite being halfway out the door, his eyes remained glued to her. The icy fingers wrapped around her heart squeezed and she gasped in pain.

Run, run, get away, NOW.

Adeline dug her toes in and pushed the floor away with all her might, sprinting across the slippery tiles. The panic clogging her throat and chest stabbed her lungs with each breath.

It took a moment to register a hand squeezing around her throat and threatening to cut off all air. An arm squeezed around her chest and shoulders, pulling her close to keep her from kicking with any force.

She screamed but only hoarse, animalistic sounds came out. The squeak of shoes and the grunting of her attacker morphed into a hellish lullaby, black threatening to consume her vision.

She flung her head back, connecting with something that gave with a crack. A jolt of pain shot across her skull and she squeezed her eyes shut. But the grip around her neck loosened, allowing Adeline to suck in precious air. As she stumbled back his balance shifted, and she hooked her leg around his and jerked.

Pulling on her shoulders, he tried to straighten himself but it was too late. He fell, Adeline collapsing on top of him. His grip loosened, and she planted an elbow in his gut and pushed away.

Somehow, she found her footing and scrabbled for safety behind the glowing red EXIT sign. She slammed all her weight against the crash bar. The door swung open easier than she’d anticipated and she pitched forward. Her stomach twisted, terror stabbing her heart and stealing her breath.

Adeline’s pulse pounded in her ears and she half-ran, half-crawled for the corner of the building. Her body moved of its own accord, muscles straining and screaming for oxygen, but she felt nothing. Her brain stalled, unable to process the roar of a distant vehicle or even the blood on her hands. Only the crunch of pebbles between shoes and asphalt remained, a timer ticking away the seconds until capture.

Get away.

Only twenty yards until she reached the front parking.

Get away.

Fifteen.

Hope flared in her chest, mixing with the adrenaline thundering in her veins. Sebastian and Ivy should be here by now, right?

But someone grabbed her shoulders, fingers digging under her collarbones and wrenching her back. Her body smashed against the asphalt and a boot rammed into her stomach, crushing the air from her lungs.

Sunlight burned through Adeline’s eyelids and the uneven pavement dug into her back. Something blocked the light and hands wrapped around her arms and under her armpits. Her eyes shot open when they hoisted her up. The world spun, knocking her off balance as it swirled into a pool of dull colors pierced by sky blue.

She stumbled, unable to keep up as they dragged her back towards the school.