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It seemed that Hunter was back to his cryptic warnings, and Alex had no idea how to interpret his words. But although she wasn’t sure what she was supposed to look out for, she would follow his advice and stay vigilant. And as for his comment about the backpack items, there was no way Alex would be able to hide the heavy book under her curve-hugging dress. Hunter’s words had to have meant something else.

She finished changing and stumbled back to her classmates, mentally cursing the inappropriate footwear.

Jordan wolf-whistled when she came into view and Alex was glad it was getting too dark for her blush to be easily seen. Theattention her arrival brought—from everyone—made her feel beyond uncomfortable.

“So…” she said awkwardly. “Are we going or what?”

“Wait, I have to fix your makeup,” Skyla insisted, and Alex saw she was just finishing up with Pipsqueak.

Following orders, Alex sat down on the trunk of a fallen tree while Skyla removed her ‘ambushed princess’ look and reapplied the cosmetics. Then Skyla twisted Alex’s hair up and pinned it softly behind her head, letting a few errant wisps dangle free to frame her face.

While undergoing her makeover, Alex was aware of the others whispering amongst themselves, but she couldn’t hear what they were saying. She was relieved when Skyla said she was done, and Alex left her to pack up while she rejoined the others.

“What is it?” Alex asked, noting the hesitant, guilty and determined looks on their faces.

“We think it’s a good idea if some of us remain behind, just in case we need a backup plan,” Tom said. “Since the waiters are a good cover and I’m the only musician, we’ve decided that we can probably get away with sending just two guests in. We’re thinking Declan and Pipsqueak should go, while you and Skyla remain behind.”

“What?” Alex asked loudly. She indicated to herself and Skyla who had just joined them, “Don’t we get a say in this?”

“Alex, can I speak with you in private?” Jordan asked.

“Jordan—”

“Alex,” he said firmly, motioning for her to follow him.

Once they were out of hearing range, he looked apologetically at her. “It’s not you, it’s Skyla.”

“What do you mean?”

“You know what she’s like,” Jordan said. “Her head’s in the clouds ninety-eight percent of the time. She’s harmless but she’salso unreliable and we’re worried she’ll be a liability. We need someone to keep an eye on her, and since you’ve already had to do so much over the past two days, we figured you should be allowed to sit this one out.”

“I don’twantto sit it out.”

“Please, Alex,” Jordan begged. “You can see why we don’t want her in there, can’t you?”

Alex glanced over to where the others were standing and could just make out their silhouettes in the dark. Skyla was sitting on the tree trunk, polishing her nails in the limited light, while everyone else stood tense and ready. Her voice carried over to them, and Alex cringed when she heard her ask if they would get to dance at the party.

“I do understand,” Alex admitted. “But I just wish I didn’t have to be the one to babysit her.”

“I know,” Jordan said softly.

She followed him resignedly over to the others and listened while Tom explained to Skyla that she and Alex would be remaining behind.

“But that’s not fair!” Skyla exclaimed loud enough that they had to shush her. “I’m all dressed up and beautiful—I should be allowed to go! Don’t you trust me?”

The girl’s eyes were filling with tears and Alex realised that it was up to her to intervene. “Skyla, don’t you see? You and I have the most important mission tonight. If something goes wrong for these guys, it’ll be up to us to complete the task. They’re only leaving us behindbecausethey trust us so much.”

“Really?” Skyla asked, sniffling quietly.

“Really,” Jordan said, playing along.

“I guess that’s okay, then,” Skyla said, standing taller. “Don’t worry, we’ll look after you if something goes wrong. We’ve got your backs.”

Alex released a breath and reached for Skyla’s sparkly pink ComTCD as Declan handed it over.

“I’ll keep you updated on what’s happening,” he promised.

“Thanks,” she said. “Now, you should all get out of here. And Tom, don’t forget your banjo-thing.”