“Just the way she watches him,” I say. “And the way Charles always seems like he’s trying to win favor with Brendan, almost like someone would try to impress their girlfriend’s popular older brother.”

“Nyx and Brendan are as close as any two allies can be. So you’re not that far off. And Charles is always trying to ingratiate himself, but more importantly, he wants to ingratiate his Family. He tries too hard, if you ask me.”

I can hear in Layla’s voice that there is something she’s not saying about the whole situation with Charles, but I’m not sure I should push her, since this is the most open she’s been with me yet. She’s not gushing or anything; she’s mainly telling me things about people she doesn’t like, but it’s a good start.

I lean back in my chair and attempt to casually take in the room. Only in doing so, I accidentally make eye contact with Aarya. She’s near us on a couch, sitting with Felix and Ines. Aarya is looking far too pleased with herself, Felix is doing his best to appear annoyed even though it’s obvious he thinks she’s amusing, and Ines is drawing on a sketchpad.

“So…November,” Aarya says, and elongates the words for dramatic effect. “I heard something very interesting.” She’s using her American accent tonight, and her eyes sparkle with mischief. She projects her voice so that the people around us can’t help but listen. “Can you guess what it is?”

Layla tenses next to me.

“No, but I have a feeling there’s no way to avoid having you tell me,” I say.

She laughs and leans back into the couch, like she feels certain she has everyone’s attention and wouldn’t want it any other way. “You’re fun. I’ll give you that. Way better than most of these pompous know-it-alls,” she says, and looks at a table of four girls, who avoid eye contact with her. “Now where was I? Oh yes”—she slaps her knee—“what I heard about you.” She pauses to draw out the reveal. “You, Miss November, were out last night after curfew. Very naughty, if you ask me.”

The entire parlor turns to me as if on cue. Shiiiiit.

To my utter shock, Layla scoffs. “Good one, Aarya. Nice presentation. You must be really bored these days.”

“Well, now, you’re covering for her, Layla? How did you ever manage to let someone get on your good side that quickly? You must be slipping.”