Page 26 of Bonds of Starfall

Jasver. The same one that Keir had mentioned?

Rin ignored his proffered hand and said softly, "I’m Rin."

"Rin, a pleasure." Jasver gave a mock bow. "So, about those drinks?"

"Maybe another time," she said.

Jasver craned his head dramatically, searching in the darkness behind her. Rin started to look, too, but his exaggerated sigh gave her pause as he said:

"Goddamn, I see a trail of broken hearts behind you."

Liar. But maybe that was the problem.

Xara’s high laughter made Rin look away. Her first experience with flirting as a trainee, and she had an audience. What happened to the confident girl who had teased Kit about kissing? Never mind that her only kiss had been with him—a dare when they were younger, and still all she could think about.

"Do you know where the… rise is?" Rin hedged, desperate to end the conversation.

Jasver ran a hand through his hair. He seemed to sweep away her disinterest with ease. "Over there"—he pointed behind him, toward the far side of the building—"next to the bar. Trust me, you can’t miss it."

Rin nodded. "Thank you." She grabbed Xara’s hand, once more, and started toward the direction he had pointed.

"Need an escort, ladies? I’d be happy to offer my services. For a price, of course. Wait. That sounded bad. I meant just—fuck. Buy me a drink or something?"

Xara bit her lip to stifle a smile, and Rin didn’t bother hiding hers. She could see why Keir would be interested.

It was Xara who spoke up:

"Sure. I’m Xara. First year. Earthborn—and that’s all you’ll get, unlessyouwant to buymea drink."

"Well, then. Follow me." Jasver took Xara’s elbow, leading the way, with Rin trailing along, fingers entwined with Xara’s.

Was this what it felt like to belong?

Jasver led them along the outskirts of the crowd. It was thick and hot. Rin’s shirt stuck to her spine, sweat sliding down the knobs of it.

Curious eyes fell upon her, and she felt her cheeks grow warm as she looked away, attention fixed on Xara’s back as Jasver stopped, finally, at a break in the crowd.

He stepped to the side, leaving Xara and Rin to stare at what was accurately called the rise.

A huge hole was in the side of the warehouse, cracked stone clinging by thin wires, pieces wavering in the breeze of the night as neon lights flashed all around. Outside, the dark forest beckoned, leaves inky black and shadows thick.

Was the Soul Searcher out there?

Rin tipped her head back, following the sound of calls and laughter as they reverberated around her, floating down the cavernous space. She could see all the way to the top of the warehouse from here—each story, filled with bodies and lights. Jagged edges of the floor stopped harshly, and small bits of sediment fell as boots scuffed far too close to the edge.

And there, at the far wall below the towering levels of the warehouse-turned-club, Rin spotted Keir.

He lounged against the wall, a drink held lazily in his hand. The neon lights flashed dangerously over his dark skin. His eyes found Rin first, and he gave an impish finger wave before seeing who she was with. His smile faltered when he noted Jasver, then returned when he spied Xara, who tucked a piece of dark hair behind her ear.

Xara nudged Rin with an elbow. "You didn’t say your friend was cute."

Rin hummed. She supposed he was, colloquially. But she certainly wasn’t attracted to him.

Jasver overheard her. "He is," the man sighed. "Too bad he’s such a prideful dick."

That made Xara arch a brow. Rin tuned them out as Keir walked closer.

Keir sidled up beside Xara, completely ignoring Jasver, who rolled his eyes.