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“We were wrong,” Adrian said, jumping right to the point. “They weren’t sayingmaiden.”

One of Daphne’s sculpted eyebrows rose. “What is it?”

“Midén.” Adrian repeated the word we’d heard exchanged upon every entry to that house.

Daphne didn’t even blink. “Ancient Greek. Means zero. Could also mean nothing or neutral.”

Adrian took a breath so deep, I could see his chest rising in my peripheral vision. “Yes, I know. I was hoping you could provide some insight on how that could be connected to this conspiracy. It doesn’t implicate Juno the same way.”

Daphne’s eyes narrowed. “Maybe. But we knew that, didn’t we?” She breathed in and some thought popped into her mind. “Zero can often mean consistency or steadiness. The idea that it is the middle point between two sides.”

“I’d like you to do some more research before we start banging down doors,” Adrian said. Daphne nodded crisply, shooting me a questioning look. It was clear she wanted to know if I was there. What I saw. “And Persy,” he said, looking at his sister. “I want you to check everyone in Prometheus for tattoos.”

Persy looked at him, raising a dark brow. So in contrast with the bright tone of her hair. “I won’t force anyone. But I’ll ask.”

Adrian nodded, silently agreeing with her. “Fine.”

The tone in his voice made me nervous, made my instinct to help flare. I reached for him, my hand landing softly on his forearm. Adrian shook it off like it burned him, flying off the desk.

He went to the far side of the room, closest to thewindow.

Farthest away from me.

“Adrian,” I said, a clear question in my voice. He looked at me, sliding me an intense, almost pleading look then turned wordlessly back to the window. Staring out of it with his hands in his pockets and his back straight.

It stung. Fuck, it stung. Daphne shot me a look, but I ignored it. I was too busy staring at Adrian, waiting for him to either apologize or explain whatever the fuck that was. If I wasn’t supposed to touch him or comfort him in private, fine.

But he needed to tell me that. He didn't get to shrug me off in front of our friends like that.

The room went silent for a second, everyone contemplating what to do next.

I had an idea. One that I would have offered with a soft hand a minute prior, but now came out biting in the face of Adrian’s dismissal. “Friday,” I reminded the room. Everyone knew what I meant.

Persy let out a short chuckle, light and bright. “You know bringing Adrian is probably going to cause a stir, right?”

“I do. That’s what I want,” I said directly to her. I could feel Adrian’s eyes on me, burning into the side of my face.

“Are you sure?” Adrian asked, the words roughened, like his throat was constricting around them.

“I’m sure. You’re my boyfriend.” The reminder was more of a taunt than anything. “You should come with me.” And that felt like a dare.

“Reyna,” Daphne said. “This is the biggest night of the year for your family. Are you sure?”

I nodded, still feeling Adrian’s insistent stare on me, commanding me to look at him from across the room. “My mother asked to meet him. Over dinner. This is giving her that.”

Adrian let out a short breath of laughter. That finally got my attention, my eyes finding him right as he leaned against the window, his arms crossed over his chest. “That’ll go over well.”

“Our family’s pride can take the hit,” I returned. “Besides, this is barely about us anymore. It’s more of a human thing than anything.”

“Honey,” Adrian said, warning in his tone. The endearment made my back snap even straighter, like turning my spine to cold steel would chase away the warmth that word elicited. “It’s called the Romulus Gala.”

“A nonfactor.” Adrian’s brows rose in challenge. Fine, I could issue one myself. “You’re my boyfriend. You’re coming with me.”

This timeboyfriendwas a threat. A reminder of our agreement and what would happen if he tried to falter.

Adrian came an inch off the wall, like he was going to stomp towards me and wrap his large hands around my neck. It disappeared as fast as it came, his casual stance returning. He ran his hand over his jaw, something I was learning was his tell for needing to regain control.

“All good over there?” I asked, intentionally needling him.