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“Show off,” I mumbled, unable to hide my smile.

She laughed too, and in the quiet study, the sound seemed to echo off the walls.

The wooden doors creaked open, and Voiler stepped inside. She made eye contact with us but immediately looked away.

“Hey,” I whispered to Ashlani. “Should we ask her to come sit with us?”

Ashlani’s mouth tightened. “Trust me,” she started. “She doesn’t talk much. We’re better off on our own.”

“I think you’d be surprised.”

I waved my hand in Voiler’s direction, grabbing her attention. “Hey, Voiler! We’re practicing a bit of natural magic over here if you’re interested in joining.”

And I’m in desperate need of your help.

Ashlani groaned, and I shot her a warning glare as Voiler hesitantly made her way to our table.

“So,” Ashlani started as Voiler sat down, hanging her bag over the chair behind her, “you and Lanson, huh? I can’t say I’m surprised. He’s had a thing for you since day one.”

Voiler’s eyes widened.

My mouth fell open. “Ashlani!”

“What? Everyone can see it! Right, Voiler?”

“Um.” She glanced frantically between us. “He does smile at you quite often.”

I rolled my eyes. “He does not.”

“Not when the angel’s around, anyway. He’s jealous.” Ashlani flipped her hair over her shoulder.

“Really? Did he tell you that?” I tried to seem uninterested, but she could see right through me.

“He didn’t have to. He gets all tense and angry when Wolf’s around. He’s always asking about you when you’re gone. Hells, I’m surprised he hasn’t asked you to move into his own bedroom after Ryder killed his roommate.”

My stomach dropped at the mention of Ryder’s name, but I forced myself not to flinch.

“What’s it like being roommates with a fallen angel?” Voiler interrupted. “I mean, you two must talk, right?”

I shrugged. “We don’t say much. He keeps to himself.”

“Oh, please.” Ashlani leaned forward even more, dipping her chin. “He’s gorgeous, and he follows you around like you’re his. I can see why Lanson’s so jealous.”

A flush rose up my neck. “He’s not—”

“What? Gorgeous?”

I leaned back in my seat, defeated. Ashlani and Voiler both smiled at me. “Enough about this, please! We have more important things to discuss here.”

“Fine. Are you two going to the ball tonight?”

I groaned, tossing my head back. “I told Lanson I would go with him, though I’m not sure how drinking and dancing will help any of us pass the Transcendent. I need to focus on summoning magic, not socializing with the other students.”

“What about you, Voiler? Are you going?”

She pursed her lips and shook her head, her jet-black hair falling in front of her face. “Dancing isn’t my thing. I’ll be catching up on sleep and trying to heal some of these bruises.” She lifted her arm for emphasis, showing off the blue and purple.

“I’m jealous,” I sighed. “Maybe I can hide, too, and nobody will notice.”