Eventually, I couldn’t ignore the group texts any longer. Renata’s party at Isles of the Blessed was apparently already in full swing. In Greek mythology, the Isles of the Blessed, or the Fortunate Isles, were a winterless earthly paradise. Only the heroes who had been reincarnated three times and were judged as being pure enough to gain entrance to Elysium (the afterlife) all three times could live there. At Court, Isles of the Blessed was a nightclub. I found it odd that the queen would allow such a prestigious name to be used for a nightclub. But, as I was discovering, not much seemed to make sense here at Court.

I pulled on a black T-shirt and black jeans and let my hair fall loose around my shoulders. I looked in the mirror and my fiery locks steeled me for the performance I would have to put on for my friends. I really hated this, but what choice did I have?

By the time I got to the club, it was already packed, nearly overcrowded with wall-to-wall people dancing to the music played by the DJ. Like a neon version of the northern lights, an array of blue, acid-green, hot-pink, and gold lights swirled beneath the dry-ice smoke in time with the music.

Kris and Domenico stood out in the crowd because, even though the rest of the crowd was jumping up and down, their hands in the air, the two of them were slow dancing, ignoring the loud music and everything going on around them. My heart dropped as I realized that getting rid of my soul-mate bond was more important than ever. Before finding out my true identity, I hadn’t wanted a soul mate for selfish reasons. Mostly, I didn’t want someone I barely knew inside my head at all hours of the day. But everything had changed now that I knew I was a Stavros. During the Great Massacre, even the Hellenicus who had a click with a Stavros were killed. I knew that I could never endanger someone by having that kind of connection with them.

I immediately pushed my way over to the sweethearts. “Ave! You made it!” Kris’s heart-shaped face lit up with genuine happiness and my spirits lifted a little. Kris turned to Domenico, giving him a nod and a smile. Domenico returned her smile and left.

“Where is he going?” I asked my best friend once she turned back to face me.

“Oh, he asked if we wanted some drinks. I said yes.”

I felt a pang. Another reason I could never tell Kris my secrets: Domenico would know too. My body was an empty shell. I’d have to distance myself from Kris if I was going to keep this huge secret from her—and Domenico.

It was a mistake to come here. I should have stayed in my room at the suite until I was able to come up with a proper escape plan.