“I got a call from the office; they need me to prep for a trial.”

“Can’t someone else do it? This is her first Gathering.” Kris would never tell him, but I knew that she’d be crushed.

“She has Mom and Dad here. She doesn’t need me.”

“Of course she does!”

Second to me, Vlad was the closest person to Kris. She relied on him for advice and guidance. And he knew how important a Hellenicus’s first Gathering was—it was literally a sacred ritual. A once-in-a-lifetime thing. Family members were always there to provide guidance through what was often the weirdest month of an Awakened’s life as they adjusted to becoming a full-blown Hellenicus and learned to manage the heightened emotions of being imbued with the power of clairaudience. Even my unloving parents were here for me. I couldn’t understand why he was being difficult.

“Kris needs your support; you’re her brother. There’s some stuff that she would never talk to your parents about—you know that! You’ve been through this!”

“Avy, stop.”

He stepped away from the tree. I had to say something that would stop him from leaving. “Adrian’s here. That’s right, you heard me, the brokenhearted Adrian Ambrosia is here—even after he swore never again. He actually cares about his sister, so he’s putting his own shit aside to be here for her. Why can’t you do the same for Kris?”

“I’m a law intern, Avy. I don’t have the luxury of taking off work for a whole month. I could lose my placement. Work is important to me. And, as I said, Kris already has you and our parents.”

“Vlad.” My voice caressed his name in a way that it never had before. “I know you’re a good, caring person. I know how much you value your work, but I know you love Kris more than anything. That she is the most important person in your world.” My sincerity surprised even myself. Despite what a jerk he could be to me, he would die for Kris. “This is the most important event in her life. Please find a way to stay. I’m sure you can sort something out with your work. This is once in a lifetime. She needs you.”

He stood quietly, considering my words. After what felt like an eternity, he shook his head adamantly. “I have to go. Tell her I’m sorry, Avy.”

“Tell her yourself. You’re the worst! How can there be anything more important than your own sister! I thought you at least had a heart when it came to her. I hope you enjoy your internship knowing that you’ve sacrificed Kris’s happiness.”

Walking away, I only managed seven steps before my legs buckled underneath me. Cold stone hit my cheek. Through the chill of the windy December night, Vlad’s voice called out, using that nickname I despised. I tried to get up, but there was no power left in me. All I could do was roll onto my back. My insides were on fire, my stomach roiling. I looked up at the night sky; the clouds above were in chaos, mimicking how I felt. Something was very wrong.