Page 11 of Thorns of Death

Feeling exhausted—from physical exertion and multiple orgasms—and smelling like him, I hoped for a way to sneak past everyone’s rooms and into my own so I could have the morning to myself.

And re-evaluate what I had done. I sighed. What a fucking shame not to have one more night of Enrico. That had to be better sex than all my alien romances put together, and the fucker was married. Un-fucking-believable.

I pulled my key out of the secret compartment built into my dress. Thank God for Reina and her clever and practical designs that made me still look gorgeous. When I went to slide it into the keyhole, the door swung open, revealing a very pissed-off best friend whose eyes flashed like a thundering sky.

“Where have you been?”

I groaned. Wearing nothing but a tank top and shorts, Reina had her hands fisted on her waist and her eyes narrowed on me. Her heart-shaped face was framed by wild, golden curls that fell down her lower back. Her face free of makeup and her hair loose, she looked even younger than her twenty-one years. It reminded me of our boarding school days, except she was always up for parties back then. That was before Amon. This version of Reina was the result of Amon.

It made me want to strangle the man.

“Oh, hey,” I greeted her sheepishly, hoping she couldn’t see the markings of wild sex on me.

My best friend—incredibly beautiful and caring to a fault—was a do-gooder. And right now, she had nothing but worry on her face as she took me in, her eyes roaming all over me. She tended to concern herself with all of us girls, but I knew she was a subtle rebel. Although after what had happened with Amon, she hadn’t been the same.

I kept waiting for the old Reina to come back, eager to see her bright smiles and carefree self appear. But as days, months, and years passed, I’d started to think we’d never see that version of her again.

“What is it with all of you disappearing one by one last night and then strolling in one by one at dawn?” My eyebrows shot up my hairline. Did we all get some last night?

“Phoenix too?” I asked.

“Yes, her too,” she grumbled. “I was worried sick.”

“Sorry. Is everyone sleeping, then?” God, I hoped so. I needed to take a shower, crawl into bed, and sleep for the next twenty-four hours straight. I had a solo performance tomorrow, and I couldn’t afford to fall asleep midway through.

“No, we’re having a family meeting.”

Oh boy.

“Are you sure that’s necessary?” I asked. Reina screwed up her little nose in response and gave me a “what do you think” look. I sighed tiredly. “All right. Let’s go have this family meeting.”

I kicked off my heels by the door as a relieved breath slipped through my lips. My feet were killing me. Instead of hitching a cab, I’d walked the ten blocks in an attempt to clear my head. It may have been the most amazing night of my life, but morning had brought the bitter truth to light.

It turned out I wasn’t the last one laughing.

“You coming?” Reina glanced over her shoulder, flicking me a curious look. Probably because I stood like a statue staring into the wall.

“Yeah.”

I followed her barefoot into our living room. We found Raven, Phoenix, and Athena sitting on the couch all huddled together and still wearing the same outfits from last night. At least I wasn’t the only one who’d done the walk of shame today. Well, except for Reina.

“Okay, we have to establish some rules,” Reina announced, while signing at the same time. She sat on the round ottoman by the window, her back to it. Sunrays flickered against her hair, casting hues of gold and making her appear like an angry angel. “I was up all fucking night worried about you four. I messaged you, attempted to track your phones. I almost called the police.”

“Gosh, you are taking this mother thing too far,” Raven muttered around a yawn. “We promise, next time—if there is one—we shall send a message in the middle of sex to ensure you know we’re safe.” She made sure to sign her declaration for Phoenix’s sake.

Athena and I choked out a strangled laugh. At least we knew Raven had gotten laid.

“Can you imagine?” Athena muttered, stifling a yawn. “Please pause your ejaculation, I’ve got to send a message to my friend to let her know if I die, it’s from an orgasm. Not a slit throat.”

Another round of snickers followed.

“Stop it, all of you.” Reina used her sternest voice. It was as if she’d lost her sense of humor overnight. “I’m not asking for anything so drastic. But a text letting me know you’re hooking up would have been nice. You left me all alone, and then seeing—”

She cut herself off, her eyes widening a bit. Whatever had her upset must have happened last night.

“I’m sorry, Reina.” I signed the words, my voice a whisper on my lips. I sat up straight and really looked at her. “Tell us what happened. Something—or someone—clearly upset you. We want to help.”

She shook her head, blinking hard. Her shoulders slumped. She was too innocent for the heartache that always seemed to go her way. The past few years had been hard. She was the sunshine of our group. She loved hard, played hard, and was usually the most hopeful.