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I do myabsolutebest and fail in the attempt not to watch Nadia leave the tent, all huffy and pissed off.

Just how we like her, my wolf says, his tongue lolling.

Mentally, I flick him on the nose and he laughs wolfishly, turning and darting off into the wilderness of my soul.

Grace and Shayne sit down, Rose sneering at them like they’re very dirty street cats who have interrupted our date.

Which is probably what she actually thinks.

“Hi!” Grace says, smiling at Rose. “I started to introduce myself last night but didn’t get a chance to -”

“Yeah, we’re good,” Rose says, turning slightly away and dropping the conversation like a dirty rag, clearly implying that the introduction endedpreciselywhere she wanted it to.

“Well, I got to know her for both of us,” Shay says, overly cheerful and beaming around at all of us. “And can I just say – what a treat for everyone involved!”

We all look at her, kind of shocked.

“Our Rose is a peach!” Shayne says, so sweet, giving her a beautiful smile.

Rose’s brows rise at this unexpected praise.

“I mean, a very rotten peach,” Shayne continues, guileless, tilting her head to the side. “With a mushy bruise on the bottom, justcrawlingwith maggots –“

I can’t help it - I burst out laughing. Grace does too.

Rose just rolls her eyes and stands sharply, grabbing her tray. “Cole,” she says, glaring at me now. “Make the arrangements. We’re going tonight – I haveworkto do and I’m not going to have it interfered with just because you have some newpets.”

She bares her teeth at Shayne and Grace and strides away.

“My name is GRACE!” Grace calls, cupping her hand to the side of her mouth and ensuring that Rose can hear. She doesn’t turn back.

I sigh, watching her go, shaking my head as guilt begins to turn in me.

“Don’t do that, Cole,” Shayne murmurs, sitting back in her chair and lifting her cup of tea to her lips.

“Do what?” I ask, lifting my eyes to her.

“Feel allguiltyabout it,” Grace says, pouring her milk into her cereal. “She was being a brat. And that is thenicestword I can use – one that I have chosen because I am in agoodmood today.”

“Yeah, but I shouldn’t have laughed,” I murmur, putting my elbows on the table and leaning against them. “I’m a public figure, an extension of the crown. My reactionsmatter. I have to be more unbiased – I can’t celebrate when someone gets their ass handed to them. No matter how much they deserve it.”

“That is very responsible of you, Cole,” Shayne says, nodding sagely. “And also very dull.”

I grin, liking both of these new friends very much.

“All right,” I say, narrowing my eyes. “On to less dull subjects, then.”

They both perk up at this, grinning at me.

“Dr. General Amir let something slip last night,” I murmur, looking suspiciously between them. “So, spill. Who are all theseguysknocking on Nadia’s door?”

Both Grace and Shayne grin wickedly, turning to look at each other.

“What’s that?” I ask, pointing a finger between them. “That look – I don’t like that.”

“Sorry Cole,” Grace says with a sigh, turning back to me. “Our mouths are sealed in the name of female friendship and pinkie swears.”

“Which we will obviously break,” Shayne says, leaning towards me. “For a price.”