Page 27

Cozy.

Yeah, that’s the last word I’d use to describe us.

“We aren’t—” I sigh, biting my tongue. I don’t think she’ll believe anything I say about my relationship with Rowan, so I focus on Haze instead. “Please Avni, this is really important. Who is supplying Trist with Haze?”

She shrugs. “I have no idea. All I know is what Trist told you. He doesn’t tell me anything.”

“And you haven’t seen anything? Overhead anything?” I push.

She smiles, something sly and practiced. “What’s in it for me?”

I swallow. Of course, we both know nothing comes for free in Senna, especially for people like us.

“What would you like?” I ask.

“Can you give me his head on a stick?”

My eyes widen and a careless laugh leaves her. “I’m joking,” she says.

But I don’t think she is.

“There’s nothing you can give me. Nothing I need anyway.”

I wonder what Trist has over her. Is that why she’s with him? He probably does. That’s how it usually works. Avni and I were never friends, but for the first time in years it feels like speaking to someone other than Halle who I understand.

“I don’t know who is supplying Trist, but I do know that a few nights ago, he was supposed to meet someone at Blue Lily. Unfortunately, they never showed.”

I frown. Blue Lily is in Flower District, a few streets from this studio, and this is all Snake territory. Why would Trist be meeting someone frequented by members of The Snake?

My heart pounds against my chest. “Do you have a name?”

She shakes her head. “He’s never referred to them by name around me, but if you’re half as smart as you think you are, you’d notice we’re in Snake territory, and why would Trist be doing business up here?”

My hands clam up, my mind sifting through every possibility because if Avni is right, then Rowan has a huge problem. “Are you sure?”

Rowan and his brothersareThe Snake. From the lush historical neighbourhood of Queen’s Peak down to the bustling industry of Sying Peak, The Vasilyevs have lorded over the long-standing clan for almost a century with little to no rebellions.

The Snake does not deal in drug trade but if this is true, someone has a different idea, and the Vasilyevs have no clue.

“It’s the only thing that makes sense,” Avni says. “The Scarlet Ravens are not powerful enough to pull something like this off or to get a footing on this side of the river without The Snake picking it up. Whoever brought Trist into this has alreadycreated a tight network of sellers that won’t reveal their identity and jeopardise whatever it is they are planning to do.”

I curse under my breath. I don’t want her to be right, but it’s the only theory that makes sense. Whoever is behind this has managed to stay hidden behind guys like Trist because they don’twantto be known. If they were a Raven, they would have paraded it, boasted about their newfound power over The Snake.

My mind shifts to the person behind the emails. Where do they fit into all of this? Why do they want to find the person behind Haze?

“What are you thinking?” she asks.

“Nothing,” I lie. “Thanks, Avni. I need to go.”

She frowns. “I’m guessing I need to keep this little meeting a secret?”

“That would be great. Thanks.” I start to walk away, but a question pops up in my head. “Why are you with him?”

Avni is attractive and I think she’s smarter than Trist realises. I’m curious about her, even though I know I shouldn’t be.

She frowns, looking past me to see if anyone has started looking for her. “Trist? Why are you with Rowan Vasilyev?”

I flinch without meaning to. I have no idea how to answer that. The basic response would be that I needed his help, but I know that’s not it entirely. A small part of me was curious. I wanted to see him again and now, after Spirito, I know it was a terrible idea.