this. I wanted to have his arm over my shoulders because when he did that I felt like I could handle

anything. Including this.

Instead I sagged against the wall and took another mechanical slurp of Coke.

“I’m serious,” Leon said urgently, and the commotion around the corner reached a higher pitch.

“Svetocha!” It was Kir; I recognized the voice. “Where is the svetocha?”

He skidded around the corner, and the hall was suddenly, magically empty. The older students disappeared, and I didn’t blame them. It felt like a thunderstorm approaching, or the weird calm after

the sirens but before a tornado.

Hiro was behind him, and Bruce completed the trio. All three of them stopped dead. Kir went red up

to the roots of his hair, and Hiro surged forward.

Bruce grabbed the Japanese djamphir. “Steady on, man.”

“Yes, keep him back.” Christophe folded his arms. “I would hate to have his family seek to avenge

him.”

Hiro hissed something, fangs out and lips twisting. It didn’t sound like a polite hello.

I couldn’t help myself. All the carbonation rose in my throat. and I belched. It was a nice long loud

one. But it did settle my twisting, cramping stomach. The sugar in the soda would help stave off

shock. I’d crash later, of course.

Leon actually laughed, a chuckle behind his hand as if he wanted to trap it and keep it for posterity.

Christophe smiled very slightly, but he was tense. And the aspect hadn’t left him. Hiro’s eyes had

turned an odd amber color. His short black hair stood up, and his hands curled slowly into fists before they loosened—and curled up again like he was imagining Christophe’s throat under them.

I didn’t care what they did as long I could go lie down somewhere. I was half-sick with wanting to

see Graves again.

I decided I’d better get some answers while I had everyone’s attention. “Graves. Where is he?” Because I’m blowing this town. I just can’t take any more of this.

“I don’t know.” Leon’s hand dropped back to his side, but I noticed he was placed very carefully between Christophe and the three from the Council. “I thought he was with you, Milady.”

“I haven’t seen him since . . . since gym.” That about took all the starch out of me. From one nasty

fight to another, and Ash . . .

There was nothing I could do. I just ran out of steam and stood there woodenly, the Coke half-lifted.

“Is that where you gained those bruises?” Christophe didn’t even look at me. He was too busy staring Hiro down. “Love-taps, no doubt. Where was the Red Bitch during my little bird’s sparring

practice, Kir? You are the one most likely to know, aren’t you? And Bruce. I see you’ve stopped

drinking from the vein.”