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I’m not related to Yelena, but our fathers have been best friends since they were here at Knightsblood, so we basically grew up like first cousins. I can’t say I’m thrilled that she’s dating and obviously completely smitten with Achilles Drakos. I mean yes, he’s the golden boy of campus—top of our class, captain of the football team, head of Para Bellum. But…well…

Let’s just say game recognizes game. I don’t think Achilles is a me, or a Bella. But there’s definitely more than meets the eye under that golden mask.

Whatever, though. He clearly makes Yelena wildly happy and treats her like a queen.

Arianna smiles as she walks past me, grabbing a mug from the cupboard and pouring herself a coffee.

“Really, I don’t mind. I’m always down for a quality girls' night in. And I think Yelena’s gotten really used to sleeping with someone else in the bed. And with Wren being gone…” She shrugs.

Wren is another one of my “not-cousins”. Her dad, Bane Antonov, is also in the group of school friends that includes my dad, Uncle Nico, Galina Nikitin’s father Roman, and Yelena’s dad Nero. She’s also Yelena’s suite mate here at Morvaine…or was.

Wren ended up in the ER the night of that Reckless party at The Garrison when my dear wife drugged me and smiled while I got the shit kicked out of me by Adrik. Turns out Wren’s got a bit of problem with alcohol. But instead of pulling her out of college, her parents have her living down the hill in Hawthorne Hollow now, at Laz Kislev’s place. He's another of my dad's old friend group.

Arianna sighs happily as she breathes in the aroma from her mug, then glances at me.

“So, you came back for the Morvaine Special Blend beans?”

“That, and I think there’s gotta be something in the bylaws of The Order that say how long the club’s leader can be missing in action before they get replaced.”

“There isn't.” She winks at me. “I checked when Yelena mentioned it’d been four weeks without so much as a postcard from you.”

I chuckle. “Are people looking to fill my chair?”

She chuckles. “Maybe some rumblings. I was going to suggest Cenzo, but then…I dunno… Two Barones in a row starts to feel a bit dynastic.”

I chuckle. “Jude it is, then.”

Ari’s nose wrinkles. “Yes, why not put a cold-blooded, Machiavellian-leaning sociopath in a position of power. What could possibly go wrong?”

I snicker into my coffee.

Then I look at her.

Fuck it.

“Actually, Ari, since you’re here, I was hoping I could talk to you about something.”

Her mug pauses halfway to her mouth as her eyes meet mine.

“That sounds ominous.”

I take a deep breath.

“It’s about Bella.”

An almost imperceptible change comes over her. A slight tightening of her jaw, a rapid blinking of her eyes.

“What about her?”

I lean back against the counter.

“You two are old friends.”

Arianna just looks at me.

“That's not a question.”

I exhale slowly. “No, it isn't. Look, I’m not trying to pry to be a dick or anything. I’m just trying to understand.”