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“For your information, little bird, it wasmermaidswho funded this school,” Trevor said, looking as though he was enjoying riling her up. “If it weren’t formypeople, none of you other shifters would have a shelter at all. You’d all be running scared as the vampires and hunters exterminate the lot of you.”

Ashlyn’s eyes were beginning to glow a threatening blue. If I didn’t do something to stop this argument now, we’d all be in danger of her unwieldy fire. Although I didn’t think I’d feel too bad if Trevor got a little singed.

“How about we all just agree that we owe a lot to everyone who came before us and just be grateful for this school?” I suggested in the most neutral tone I could manage.

“Very well said, Arya,” Kendall said. “Trevor, why don’t you take a walk? We’ll catch up later.”

Trevor frowned, but he clearly had too much respect for Kendall to argue any further. Without another word, he backed out of his chair and walked away.

Ashlyn was still breathing heavily as she watched Trevor exit the dining hall. “No disrespect to your people, Kendall, but some of your friends are real dicks.”

Kendall sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.

Before he could say anything to ease her frustration, Ashlyn stood up. “I think I’m gonna take a walk, too, before I explode all over you guys.” Then she stomped away.

And Kendall and I were left at the table alone. A tense silence settled between us.

“I really am sorry about my friends.” He pursed his lips, looking conflicted. “Nothing would make me happier than to see them embrace you as I have. Not that I have anything against other shifters, but mermaids might be more willing to give you a chance if you took a break from Ashlyn. I know she’s your friend, but she’s pretty unpopular with everyone. Not just mermaids. Even the phoenixes keep their distance from her.”

My jaw fell open, any burgeoning respect that had been growing for Kendall squashed beneath the boot of his statement.

“You’re seriously trying to tell me to stay away from the only person at this school who has never judged me? She’s my only friend, Kendall.”

“Look, maybe I said that wrong,” he said, shaking his head and holding up his hands. “I didn’t mean don’t be friends with her. I just meant you should branch out, is all. She’s just not the easiest person to get along with. If other students see you hanging out with more agreeable people, they’ll change their mind about you. Let them see you with therightpeople. The right person.”

“Maybe mermaids are taught to pick and choose their friends based on status, but I’m not that kind of person,” I snapped, my anger spiking. “I’m not going to snub someone just because they’re unpopular. And if that’s the kind of person you are, then you shouldn’t be spending so much time with me.”

I stood up and grabbed my tray, ready to run after Ashlyn.

Kendall grabbed my arm. “Please, don’t be mad at me. I really am just looking out for you. Man, how did this conversation go so wrong? I was actually hoping you and I could…go out some time. Like, on a...date.”

Was he really asking me out after he just insulted my only friend, and me by association? He sure had the arrogance of a prince.

“What do you even like about me?” I demanded. “You’re a prince, and I’m an outcast. You could probably have any mermaid you want. What makes me so special?”

“I already told you,” he said, an endearing vulnerability in his sky blue eyes. “You’re different.”

“And yet, you’re telling me to be like everyone else.” I pulled my arm out of his grasp. “I can’t have this conversation right now. I need to go check on Ashlyn.”

He stood up and followed me as I left the dining hall. “Arya, wait.”

I stomped to a halt and turned around.

“Would you just think about it?” he asked. “Us, I mean. I know my words came out wrong back there, but I really think you and I could be good together. Just one date.”

I looked at him for a long moment as we stood outside the arch of the dining hall. I was so done with boy drama. First I let Tobias play yo-yo with my feelings, and now Kendall was proving to be just as much of an arrogant, speciesist jerk as the other mers.

I had let myself get caught up in their weird game of tug-of-war because I didn’t want to face the loss of my mom. But I couldn’t bandaid those feelings with boys, especially when that would just lead to a deeper wound.

“You know what, Kendall? Bite me.”

I spun on my heel and ran off in search of my only actual friend in this fucked up place.

Chapter 25

Julian

Relief flooded me as I stepped off the airplane. I was a firm believer that humans and vampires were meant to stay on the ground. The sky was for the birds—and birdlike shifters.