Layla sighs. “It’s no secret that the Lions have been killing off the very best and most skilled members of Families who won’t bow to them.”

I immediately think of Ines and how everyone says she’s one of the most skilled in our class. Maybe she has more reason to be standoffish than I originally thought. Layla, too.

“In recent years it’s spilled into this school—some students have been killed off before they even graduate,” Layla continues. “This place was always respected by all the Families as a safe space. Sure, there were deaths now and again, but nothing like this.”

“So if everyone suspects the Lions are behind the student deaths, why isn’t anyone doing anything about it?” I ask, which wins me another smile from Layla.

“Who’s going to stop them?” Ash says.

“Well, I…I don’t know,” I say.

“Exactly,” he says, and we’re all silent for a second.

“What about Aarya?” I say. “How’s she involved? I mean besides that stunt in the parlor last night, she also announced to everyone in the caf—dining hall that Ash stole her knife last week.”

Layla turns to her brother in horror. “Tell me you didn’t.”

“I didn’t,” he says, and they stare at each other until she’s convinced he’s telling the truth. Strange that he didn’t tell her that. I thought they told each other everything.

“But from what I hear, November flipped it on her by announcing the knife to everyone last night in the parlor,” Ash says. “Brilliant, by the way.”

“Thanks,” I say, and smile. “So then you think Aarya could be part of it or have a motive?”

“I’m not sure,” Ash says. “But she’s at least partially in the know, which makes her suspicious.”

“What about Felix?” I ask. “He’s a Lion, right?”

Layla nods. “If Aarya’s involved, then Felix is,” she says. “For now, I think we should pull on that thread and see where it leads, since getting near Aarya and Felix is exponentially easier than getting near Brendan, Charles, and Nyx.”

“By pull on that thread, what do you mean exactly?” I ask.

“That we follow her,” Ash says. “Try to find out what she knows.”

My pulse quickens. “We?”

Ash smirks. “You and I.”

“What about Layla?” I say, and I can hear the nervousness in my voice. Following Aarya does not sound easier than following Brendan.

“Afraid you can’t handle all that time with me?” Ash says, clearly finding the whole thing way too amusing.

I scoff. “More like I can’t handle your ego.”

He smirks. “Humility isn’t a virtue.”

“Neither is self-adoration,” I say.