Page 131 of The Wicked

“I think so. He wouldn’t be trying this hard to run away from it if it meant nothing. I’ll talk to him—”

“No, please—”

“I’ll talk to him. I won’t tell him you’re planning—planning to leave; a decision I’m hoping you’ll change your mind on because you’re a part of this, you’re the fucking Elegant in Street. Without that one ‘E,’ we’re incomplete.”

He smiled through tear-filled eyes.

“Come here, you crybaby.”

He melted into me, burying his head in my neck as I held him close.

Eventually, we both settled properly on my bed while he dozed off in minutes. I was still holding him, staring up at the ceiling and thinking of ways to convince him to get the thought of leaving out of his mind.

But somewhere along the line, I drifted off to sleep too.

Upper was still dead asleep beside me when I woke up, so I slipped off the bed and out of the room. He looked like he hadn’t slept a wink the night before, just like me and probably Devil and the rest of us.

Walking down the passageway, I bumped into Milk, who let out a somewhat loud yelp.

“Jesus fucking Christ, Zahra.” She blew out a breath, her hand on her chest.

“Have any idea where Devil is?”

“I saw him out back from the kitchen window.”

“Thanks.” I was about to brush past her but stopped, leveling her with a firm stare. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

She blinked. “It wasn’t my secret to share—”

“We’re supposed to have each other’s backs.”

“I know, but I was—I was having both Upper’s and Devil’s backs by keeping my mouth shut, and I was havingyourback by bugging them to tell you or I’d spill, and I didn’t want you to behurt, and I also didn’t want them to be hurt too, and it just got so confusing and delicate so fast that I—I’m sorry. I should have said something.”

I chuckled, letting out a sigh. “We all suck because I would have also wanted to protect them if I were in your shoes.”

“I don’t think five people can be best friends. Because when one person has a secret that concerns another person, it’s flipping hard to keep it because you’re considering everyone’s feelings and the fucking pressure is choking.”

“I think we’re trying. And I think this whole day has been shit.”

She let out a loud sigh of relief. “I know! Dog refused to cook, so yes, it has been shit, and now I gotta bake. I guarantee a burnt dinner; sorry in advance.”

“I don’t care if it’s charcoal, I’ll eat anything, cause I’m starving. I’ll come to help soon, just gotta talk to Devil real quick.”

“Go easy on him.”

“I will,” I said, making my way to the backyard.

When I opened the door, I was greeted with golden hour sunlight and cool weather that seemed to draw me towards Devil’s somber figure, sitting on the back porch as guards walked by here and there, with cars entering and leaving the compound.

I walked over to him, sitting by his side.

I stifled a yawn as I bathed in the sunlight before looking over at him. His skin, the same shade as Elio’s, glowed under the light with a natural ease that had me comparing his eyelashes to his brother’s. They weren’t as long, but they were thick and had the same shadowing grace.

I could spot some resemblance here and there, but I looked away before said brother started plaguing my mind again.

“You look like a vampire under this light.” I broke the silence.

He scoffed a chuckle, and I caught him stealing a glance my way. “Why? Do I sparkle?”