Aarya turns around, eyes wide with offense. “Excusez-moi? I risk my life ten times over to help you two, and this is how you thank me?” she replies, and part of me agrees with her. Why on earth is Ash picking a fight with her right now, of all moments?

But Ash doesn’t let up. “If you’re going to lie, Aarya, at least try something original. I know you’re better than that rote response.”

Even in the dim light I can see her cheeks flush, and I’m fairly certain some of her anger comes from being called unoriginal.

“Fascinating accusation from someone who was working not long ago with Dr. Conner to kill November,” Aarya says, and by the way Ash’s face tenses, I can tell she’s struck a nerve.

He turns away from the shelf to face her. “Where did you go, Aarya? When November and Ines were in the Market, where were you?”

“Exactly where I said I would be,” she says, only her voice has lost a little bit of its oomph.

“No, you most certainly were not,” Ash retorts. “Try again, Aarya. I checked the east side of the Market and you weren’t there.”

As much as I try to ignore them, I can’t. I glance at Ines, who returns my worried expression.

Aarya licks her lips, leaning into the fight. “You always think you know what’s going on, that you’re so good at reading everyone. Then tell me this, if you’re such an expert on my tells, why did November understand me better after two weeks at the Academy than you did after two and a half years?”

“Are you two really having this fight right now?” I ask, anxiety lacing my words. If there was ever a time that we needed solidarity, it’s now.

“Yes,” Ash says with assurance. “We’re about to do the most dangerous thing any of us has ever done, and I want to be sure that walking into the Lion estate with Aarya doesn’t mean we’re walking into a trap.”

Anger flashes in Aarya’s eyes and this time she doesn’t bother to hide it. Ines must see it, too, because before Aarya can open her mouth and spew the vitriol we all know is coming, Ines jumps in.