Page 6

“What’s outside?” I glance out the windows, but can’t see anything because it’s already dark.

He sets down his second drink and looks over. “The guest house, a ball court, yard games, and even more food.”

“More food?”

Bash gives me his crooked smirk. “Yeah. You want even more?”

I shove him. “Are you trying to say I’m eating too much?”

“I’d never say any such thing.”

“Right.” I grab his arm and drag him outside. Small lights line the house and fence, giving everything a magical glow. A group of people are in the ball court, tossing a green ball and roaring with laughter each time someone fails to catch it. Several long tables are filled with finger foods and drinks. On the lawn, a group is playing some kind of ball game that seems familiar but I can’t remember why. Probably something I knew as a kid.

I seriously hate that I can’t remember so much stuff. Why didn’t Mom fight to stay here? She knew Tiberias was actually my dad. Hades, he knew it too. But he still let me go. I had to grow up on land, hiding my true nature and feeling like a freak.

My parents suck. Who does that to their own daughter? Drake may have been a jerk and a workaholic, but at least he didn’t lie to me. Except about seeing Middlebrooks. And kidnapping Bash and Halen.

Fine, he sucked too.

“You okay?” Bash is staring at my hands.

They’re glowing green, that’s how angry I am. “Yeah, fine.” I let go of him and head toward the tables. Instead of grabbing something to eat, I take a drink. I don’t even care what it is. I just down it, not wanting to think about any of my parents or a legendary queen I may or may not be turning into.

“Easy there.” Bash lifts a brow.

I ignore the bitter taste and the burning down my throat as I empty the bottle. “I’m fine.”

“That’s what you keep saying. Are you sure, though? I mean, you haven’t talked about the fact that you killed your dad.”

I glare at him and grab another bottle.

He takes it from me. “Maybe we should do something else. Want to go back to dancing?”

“I’d rather go back in time,” I mumble.

“What was that?” He leans closer.

“Nothing.” I snatch the drink and down it faster than the first. It does take the edge off. Kind of.

He frowns. “Maybe coming here wasn’t the best idea.”

“It was your idea.”

“Yes, but—”

“But nothing.” I glance around, my gaze landing on a group of people circled up off to the side of the guest house, then head over.

Bash catches up. “Maybe we should talk.”

I turn to him. “You bring me to a party and you want to talk?”

“Seems like you might need to.”

“Nope.” I plop into an empty seat with people on either side. Bash sits across from me and won’t take his eyes off me. I ignore him and focus on the guy telling a scary story. All that’s needed is a campfire, but obviously that wouldn’t work in the water. Part of me wants to try.

I can feel Bash staring me down, but I focus all the harder on the ghost story. The guy suddenly claps his hands, I jump. So do half the people gathered around listening. From the corner of my eye, I can see Bash is still watching me. I continue ignoring him.

A girl starts telling a story. I think she’s one of Earwyn’s friends, but I’m not entirely sure. And I definitely don’t care. Just want to get lost in another tale.