By now I really should leave, get my own place in town. I have my Bachelor of Science, double majoring in biology and biochemistry. I’m on my first year of med school. Most of the other vespers are annoying little undergrads with too much time on their hands, while my course of study is going to be demanding. But staying here is convenient, just five minutes’ drive away from my classes—or a twenty-minute jog if I feel so inclined. There are showers in the Dome, and I keep a change of clothes in the legacy council chambers, so I’ve been known to occasionally do that when my schedule was so packed I couldn’t fit in a proper work out.

Besides, I am the head of Vesper Tower, and as of this term, also the head of legacies. It has a nice ring to it…and a lot of direct acting power attached to the titles. I wouldn’t want to miss out on any of the benefits. Such as getting the wyverns to throw this party. I wouldn’t want to mess my house up right before the start of school. And yes, my cousin almost punched me for it.

The wyverns do tend to have parties every Saturday, but typically, they are close doors, legacy only, and a lot easier to manage. I couldn’t have that today.

Winking at Markus, I move on to another one of my cousins, Sebastian, and his new wife.

“Hestia,” I say, grinning at the beautiful, blue-haired firecracker my cousin met and promptly married.

Like, six months later. He’s ridiculous.

“Hey, Keller!”

“You can’t call me that,” I remind her. “You’re a Keller too.”

She grins as my eyes slide to her husband.

“Bas,” I say, acknowledging him second.

“Darius.” He nods, his gaze challenging, like he’s expecting a trap of some sort.

No one likes when I make a move. No one can tell who my prey is until I let them know.

“So, an open party, huh? That’s not like you.”

I roll my eyes. “I love parties.”

“But you don’t tend to throw them. What are you up to?”

“I’m not throwing this one,” I tell him.

My cousin only shakes his head. “Whatever you’re up to, keep us out of it, yeah?”

“Cross my heart,” I promise readily.

I don’t drink much as a general rule, but tonight, I barely touch my glass, nursing my beer for a full hour, letting it go warm.

And then she gets here.

Fuck.

I down the rest of my drink in one go, and turn my back on the front of the house to gather my thoughts.