When the song was finished, Jane said, “We’re still waiting for more people. They’re bringing up the gifts. They’ll be here in a bit.” Everyone continued to sing—but this time in Greek—to stall while we waited.

I peeked at the clock; it was two minutes until midnight. As if on cue, right when the Greek version of the song finished and the minute hand of the clock passed twelve, the door swung open. Vlad and Adrian walked in carrying gifts, which they placed on the nightstand before coming over to my bedside. Vlad went to my right and Adrian to my left. They each held one of my hands and wished me a happy birthday. And that was when it happened. It was like the sound of a pin dropping. No, it was more like a door being opened. Now that I’d heard it in my head, I knew why it was called the click.

I looked up at Adrian and Vlad. They both looked like they’d heard it too.

What is this?

Montgomery, is this happening?

Birthday cake and candles forgotten.

The two guys stared at me and I didn’t know where to put my eyes because I hadn’t expected this to happen. I didn’t want this to happen. But the gods, once again, ignored my wishes. Maybe they’d known my plan to burn down Zeus’s precious tree. Perhaps this was their way of punishing me for even thinking about doing something so drastic. My eyes found my best friend, who was looking between the three of us, confusion all over her face. “Could one of you please explain what the hell is going on?”

Then, before I could answer, both Vlad and Adrian said, “Avery and I just had a click.”

Now everyone’s eyes were on me.

Jane blew out the candles on my cake and set it down on the nightstand beside my gifts before ushering everyone out of the room, leaving me alone with Vlad and Adrian. Jane closed the door behind her, giving me a sheepish look as she did so.

Not knowing how to proceed, I fix my gaze straight ahead, not looking at either of the guys standing on either side of my bed. “Okay, look, having you two in my head is really weird.”

What? Why don’t I hear her thoughts in mind? Isn’t this supposed to be a two-way bond?

“Who just thought that?” I asked.

Adrian looked at Vlad, then turned to me and raised his hand. “I did.”

Are you able to read my thoughts, Vlad?

Vlad answered with a curt nod.

“Okay.” I scratched my head. “Vlad can hear my thoughts?”

I tried to send another message to confirm. Well, this is awkward.

Vlad nodded his confirmation. “You think that this is awkward.”