Daph stood and walked to her window, looking down at the gardens below. Jaya gave her some space. After a long pause, she turned around and looked Jaya in the eye. “I’m so sorry she’s coming after you. I never thought—I’ll take care of it. I’ll tell Alaric we need to come clean.”

Jaya’s shoulders sagged in relief. “Really?”

Daph smiled a small, sad smile. “Really. It’s about time anyway.” Her eyes got misty. “I’m so sorry you got dragged into it, even a little. I know Caterina was probably not very nice to you about it. I feel like absolute shit, you know? I wish I could just stop, just walk away from Alaric.” She sniffled. “Do you know how many times I’ve told him I want to tell Caterina? Or begged him to?”

“So why haven’t you, then?” Jaya asked, not unkindly.

“He’s always got some excuse, you know? Either he’s stressed about some test or Caterina got bad news from home or…” She shook her head and dabbed at her eyes with a napkin. Looking right at Jaya, she said, “Haven’t you ever lied for someone you loved? Even if it meant hurting someone else?”

Jaya felt herself still. “Yes,” she said finally, when she’d found her voice again. “Yes, I have.”

Daphne Elizabeth gave her a watery smile. “It sucks, and I feel so totally weak, but… this is it, though. This isn’t fair to you now, and I never wanted anyone else pulled into it. It’s over; one way or another, we’re going to tell her.”

Jaya nodded. After a pause, she said, “Thank you.”

Grey

It was Saturday afternoon, and Grey and DE were headed back to the main building from the library. Grey had just returned a few books and was meeting Jaya in the lobby so they could take a car to the jeweler in town together. He had no idea what DE was up to tonight; he hadn’t asked. She’d basically just latched on to him when she saw him, which, strangely, he didn’t mind too much for a change.

Winter was definitely here; they were both huddled into their jackets as ice-edged wind cut at their faces and ears. DE typed furiously on her phone, probably talking to Alaric. Bits of her brilliant red hair showed from under her pale green beanie. “So, Grey,” she continued, looking briefly at him as they walked. “I think it’s pretty clear that Jaya’s buried an arrow from her bow deep into your heart.”

Grey snorted as he tucked his hands into his coat pockets. “If she hits anything, it’s only by accident.”

“What?” DE asked, confused.