Page 62 of Kiss Me Like I Didn't Kill You

“Let’s talk about what you did to us,” Octavia presses, her voice rising. “How you threw everything away like it meant nothing. How you used us—”

Adelaide leans back in her chair, cutting her off. “You never did understand the difference between strategy and betrayal.”

“And you never understood the difference between loyalty and selfishness,” Octavia snaps back, striding forward before I step in quickly, positioning myself between them.

“Octavia, stop,” I say, placing a hand on her arm.

She shrugs me off. “You think I’m going to just stand here while she parades in like nothing happened?”

Adelaide says nothing. But her gaze flickers, barely, toward me.

It’s quick, almost uncertain, but it disappears just as fast.

Piper sinks into the corner of the sofa and exhales, pulling out her phone but not bothering to look at it. She’s there, yet not really, silent, detached, her thoughts clearly elsewhere.

“Enough,” I say finally, pressing a hand to my temple. “Both of you need to calm yourselves and attempt some semblance of civility, because soon we’ll be confined together in a house for several days. Whatever grievances linger between you, settle them now.”

Octavia gives a light shrug, her tone flat. “Can’t do that.” There’s the faintest hint of apology in her voice, though her eyes betray not an ounce of it.

Adelaide exhales softly, then turns to her. “Your sister’s right,” she says coolly to Octavia. “We’ll need to manage without bloodshed for the next few days. Let’s call it a truce.”

“A truce?” Octavia repeats, her laugh short and scathing. “No, but thank you for the offer.”

“Look, I understand—”

“See, that’s the problem,” Octavia cuts in, her voice sharp. “You don’t understand. Because if you did, you’d know better than to let the Ferrum Syndicate set foot inside our academy.”

Adelaide gives her a look I can’t quite read, her jaw tightening. “That wasn’t my decision,” she replies evenly. “The Thirteenth Circle’sleaderordered it.”

Octavia lets out a low, incredulous sound, but Adelaide speaks before she can.

“Look, I’ll stay out of your way, and you’ll stay out of mine. I’ll temper my attitude as best I can.”

“Oh, finally something true,” Octavia snaps. “Good. At least we agree, you are a bitch.”

Adelaide almost flinches at the bluntness, but she masks it quickly.

“Octavia,” I warn, giving my sister a pointed look.

“What? She said it first.”

I exhale, forcing patience. “She’s trying to end whatever this feud between you two is.”

“Only for the trip,” Adelaide interjects smoothly.

Octavia huffs. “Ah, and here I was thinking you were finally ready to make peace, and perhaps even ask for forgiveness.”

“I don’t need to ask anyone for forgiveness,” Adelaide replies, her tone cool. “And I care far too little about your tantrums, or whatever it is that’s made you so unhinged.”

“There she is,” Octavia spits, her eyes flashing. “The real Adelaide. What you did broke me… but of course, you couldn’t care less.”

Adelaide’s lips curl into a mocking smile. “You could drop dead and I wouldn’t.”

“Don’t say that,” I warn, glancing between them. “You know that isn’t true.”

Adelaide rolls her eyes. “The pacifist speaks. Life doesn’t work that way, Ophelia. Wake the fuck up.”

She rises, smoothing down her jacket. “We’re leaving tomorrow morning. My jet’s prepared, be downstairs at seven sharp.”