Staggering to the bathroom, I retched violently. Holding on to the sink for support, I breathed in and out several times to calm my angry stomach. After washing my hands, I grabbed the smudgy bathroom mirror and angled it toward my face. Staring back at me was a pair of swollen, bloodshot eyes, pores so enlarged my face could have been mistaken for a colander, and a complexion paler than death.

Splashing some water on my face to cool off, I reached for a drinking glass and filled it with water. I had not realized how thirsty I was until the water touched my lips. Through my foggy mind, images from the dream flashed across my mind.

That look on Adrian’s face right before he’d pushed me through the door was off. His expression had been blank, but there was relief in his eyes—as if he had done the right thing, like it was meant to be. My mind spun and I felt dizzy. Everything was fuzzy, and I staggered back to bed. I hadn’t even been drinking last night, so why did I feel like I had the world’s worst hangover?

Chapter Six

“Avery Zosime Montgomery, you have to wake up now!”

My head screamed in pain at the sound of my mother’s voice. As sleep left me, my body felt sore everywhere.

“I assumed you were responsible enough to get yourself out of bed in time for the Court-mandated activities.” She ripped the blankets off me and stalked away grumpily.

I forced myself to stand and walk to the bathroom. I quickly got into the shower and allowed myself a moment to relax as the hot water and the scents of lavender and rose washed over me.

“You have ten minutes to clean yourself up and be in the dining hall, or you’ll miss breakfast entirely.” My mom yelled from the other side of the door.

I shut the shower off and reached for the towel. As I got dressed, my mind replayed my argument with Vlad. How could he choose work over Kris? When Kris had first told me that her brother wanted to become a lawyer, I assumed he would work here in the Court. But he wanted to serve in mainstream society’s courts, not under Hellenicus law. I wanted him to chose the latter—he’d still be around for Kris’s first Gathering, but I’d see even less of him. A win-win situation, in my opinion.

The door of the suite clicked closed, which meant my parents had left for breakfast. At least I wouldn’t have to eat with them. Maybe Kris was still in the dining hall? As I thought to text her, I realized I had no clue where my phone was. I’d had it at the stupid after-party, and when I went outside with Adrian. I rushed around the room, searching for it—no luck. I was out of time, and there was no way I was missing breakfast. My love for food always took precedence. I grabbed the map Dad had given me and headed outside.