Malachi, Jim, and I took turns patrolling the perimeter so that we didn’t leave our group of friends unguarded. Raphael had texted during dinner to say that Henry had regained consciousness, and I was hoping he’d slipped him out of the hospital by now. I was also hoping Henry would be able to tell us what happened—and maybe the location of the Mazikin nest. I circled the ballroom with my phone in my hand, waiting.

As the hours dragged and nothing bad happened, apart from the agony of having to watch Laney and Malachi slow dance, which, thankfully, they only did once, I actually found myself getting impatient. Had Clarence’s threat been a total ruse? Had the Mazikin changed their plans? And if they had, what had that text—Tonight we won’t be so gentle—meant?

I returned from my final perimeter watch just in time to hear the announcements for prom king and queen—Ian was king, as expected.

And Laney was queen.

Her face lit up, but then fell as she looked at Tegan, who I’d thought would have a lock on it. But Tegan only gave Laney a sly smile and shooed her away, making me wonder if she’d stuffed the ballot box. Levi and Jillian were named prince and princess. I stood behind Malachi’s chair and watched as the four of them were crowned on the stage and descended to the dance floor. They seemed … right where they should be. The angel-kissed, ready to go on and have fabulous, happy lives. It didn’t hurt to watch as much as it felt disconnected somehow, like I was already a step removed from this place, from these people.

Tegan and Jim got up to join, followed by Greg and Alexis, leaving Malachi and me alone at the table. It was Jim’s turn to patrol, but he deserved a break, and he looked so happy with Tegan in his arms that I couldn’t hold it against him.

Warm fingers brushed over mine, and I looked up to find Malachi standing next to me. He held out his hand, but the look in his eyes was surprisingly uncertain.

“I’m sure Ian wouldn’t begrudge me one dance with you,” he said quietly.

“Would Laney?”

He sighed. “If I thought it was improper, you know I wouldn’t do it.”

“That was an amazing nonanswer,” I mumbled as I watched my hand rise without my permission and take his.

And then I was in his arms, and it overwhelmed my circuitry, making the rest of the room go dim around me. I missed being that close to him, at least, during a time when we weren’t trying to kill each other.