Page 100 of Dance of Thorns

But I no longer secretly worry that the mysterious threat was Bane.

And the more I read straight from the inner depths of my friend’s mind, the more I’m coming to realize an uncomfortable truth:

Bane wasn’t the villain of their story.

I think that might have beenLark.

I’m pretty sure I remember her taking meds for run of the mill anxiety. But I can’t recall if there was more to it. I reached out to Melinda the other day to ask if she remembered what meds Lark was on, but her response was a mix of cluelessness and maybe a little discomfort to be talking about the dead that way.

She’s like that.

I even texted Chiara about it, and wenevertalk. But she was so young when Lark died. She couldn’t remember anything.

So now I’m left with more questions, and an uncomfortable, jarring reality.

The villain isn’t the villain at all.

And the girl I thought of as my other half and my best friend in the world might have beenfarmore troubled than I ever dreamed.

“Fucking.Sadist.”

Val is waiting for Evelina and me when we emerge from the changing room after an especially grueling rehearsal that ran late for the gala showcase the Zakharova will be doing later this year. Madame Kuzmina put me through the fuckingpacesfor my piece fromGiselle. Evelina and Val, meanwhile, have been getting grilled as a duo ever since our Stalin-esque Artistic Director decided they’d be dancing the “Seduction” Pas de Deux fromCarmen.

It's slightly amusing casting, on the face of it. The piece is supposed to bedrippingwith steamy, sizzling sexual energy. Meanwhile, Val is in a committed relationship with a man who happens to be Evelina’sbrother. And Evie is, well…

Evie.

You can’t say the word “penis” in front of her without her going beet red.

The two of them are like siblings at this point. They probablywillbe siblings—well, siblings-in-law—if Val and Roman get married, which is almost certainly happening.

All this is to say, their ultra-sensual dance is going to be not only a showcase of their dance abilities but also a feat of acting prowess.

“You two looked good out there today,” I say honestly.

I mean, any awkward dynamic aside, Val and Evie are bothverytalented dancers. Val’s somehow able to channel his normally chaotic, excited-puppy energy into pure grace on stage. And Evelina, as sheltered and innocent as she is, becomes the epitome of feminine sensuality.

Sadist though she is, Madame Kuzmina nailed the casting of this.

Evie blushes, smiling at me. “You think? I dunno…” She blushes deeper as she darts a look at Val. “I mean…it’s a little awkward, with all the…you know…”

“Sexyvibes?” Val grins at her, waggling his brows. I giggle, but poor Evie groans, burying her face in her hands.

I elbow her affectionately. “You’re doing great. Don’t get all in your head about it. You looked flawless today.”

She grins at me. “Thanks, Dove. It’s just…a little weird, I guess.”

“Why, because I’m boning your brother?”

I roll my eyes, trying not to giggle as I turn to glare at Val. “Could younot?”

“No, I couldn’t,” he sighs. “It’s impossible for me to stop boning Roman. He’s justwaytoo hot, and hisass?—”

“VAAAAAAAL!” Evie groans, turning scarlet.

I sigh, shooting him a warning look. “You know what I meant,” I grin. “Quit messing with her.”

He winks at me. “Fine…I guess.”