Page 24 of Vying Girls

Well, she can have it. Stinging to fuck at the moment.

I give myself over to the pain, trying to keep the tears from my eyes. Why does pain make me cry when nothing else does?

Violet’s touches are gentle, perfunctory. Must have done this for Blakely a billion times. I’m going to look like Frankenstein’s monster for our lecture tomorrow.

Violet’s hands pause for a moment, then fall away entirely when a pissed off little voice says, ‘Yeah, I’ve got this. Move.’

I crack open my eyes. Black skinny jeans fill my vision, their wearer not much taller than me even when slouched.

They’re in a standoff, Skylar and Violet. Kinda looks like jealousy if I didn’t know better. Don’t think Skylar’s got it in her, but I let myself pretend. A little treat against this God-awful pain.

Violet regards me for a moment then slowly stands, dropping the bloodied rag to the floor. Her expression hasn’t changed but the air’s crackling, even with this fuzzy head I’ve got.

Skylar takes her place. No concern with her either. Her jumper rides up as she kneels, the skin there blacker with ink than not. Wonder if she ever tats herself. Will have to ask her sometime.

‘She an ex or something?’

Skylar scoffs, a scowl falling over her features. ‘Wouldn’t fuck a Savage. Fuckingpyros.’

I lift my head, finding Violet who now perches on Blakely’s thigh. They might not be together, but those two are one hundred percent fucking.

‘She’s a Savage, huh?’

Skylar hums, clearly hating the fact. Savages and Sables, the Witches and the Crows. Rival families since the dawn of time.

Can’t relate myself. Got my own family to fall out with, can’t be fucked with anyone else’s. But then these old, maybe-Mafia-maybe-not families are a different kettle of fish.

‘Kinda dumb, Nic.’ Skylar waggles the sodden cloth.

‘Telling me.’

She sits back and sighs. ‘Not much to be done about the nose. Just have to wait until it stops. And hope you don’t bleed out before then. Could be a fucking brain haemorrhage with how that bitch hits.’

I lift one shoulder. ‘Deserved.’

With her sat like that, I catch sight of the blood onherfor the first time. It’s smeared on her waist and neck, some of it looking suspiciously like handprints.

‘What mauled you?’

She looks in the direction of the cavern, where Northbound Wolves’ bassy notes still echo.

I huff through my nose, making blood bubble. ‘Even know who’s under those masks?’

Skylar smirks, swinging the bloody rag with a finger. ‘That’s half the fun.’

I shake my head. ‘Kinky bitch.’

She helps me up, guiding me to the bar and grabbing me a glass of water. I take stock of myself as I sway there, wiping at the blood on my t-shirt. ‘Were you out last night?’

‘No.’

‘How come?’

‘Wasn’t feeling it. Thirty pounds for a fucking t-shirt is daylight robbery.’

Doubt that’s the full story, now knowing her deal with Fina’s lot, but I don’t care enough to press.

‘Well, you didn’t miss much.’