“I’m going to open the windows,” I stated, and, not hearing any protest from either of them, I walked over to the glass arches and tried to find an opening latch. Once I did, I wriggled it free and the frames sprang open, bringing in a sudden gust of music and laughter from the remaining guests. The party was still in full swing below. We were high up, so I couldn’t see too much till I forced my True Sight to kick in. Then I could see the dishevelment of those remaining. I smiled to myself as I watched two fae chasing one another around the dance floor, adults behaving like children. As I leaned out further, I felt a wave of hunger running through me—not for food, but the strange and powerful energy that had been radiating off the fae all evening.
No one will notice if I just take a bit…
I tried to never syphon off someone without them knowing. It was a strict rule in our house never to use the other members of The Shade like that without them knowing, and the same would apply here. Of course, in the privacy of our home it was different. We would all syphon off one another if needed, but we had to be courteous; no one would borrow my energy before I had exams, or Phoenix’s before training.
But who will know?
I closed my eyes, ignoring the thoughts. It was just instinct, and it could be overcome. Thankfully, Aida groaned again, and the desire to feed was cut off abruptly.
“Do you need more water?” I asked, before noticing her still-full glass by the side of the bed.
“No,” she moaned. “Shut the window though, I’m getting cold.”
“Aida, it’s boiling out there and in here—if you’re cold you’ve definitely got a fever!”
I made sure she was covered in blankets, but when I went to feel her temperature, she didn’t seem overly hot. Next, I moved over to Vita’s bed. Her face was starting to bead with perspiration, and the blankets had been thrown aside.
“Vita, are you okay?” I ventured, hoping I wasn’t going to wake her. Her eyes were closed, but were moving rapidly beneath her lids.
“Mmm,” she murmured. “I’m fine—just need to sleep it off.”
This was starting to get weird. It wasn’t food poisoning; I knew that much. I began to make my way toward the door. I was going to get their parents and Corrine. Clearly there was something seriously wrong with both of them, but it was something that Corrine could no doubt sort out in a second.
Field
After getting lost in the maze about a hundred times I finally located the exit with my mom—we’d lost all sight of Grace and Lawrence in the process. Dad was waiting by the exit, rolling his eyes in amusement.
“Really, it took you that long?” he asked us both archly.
“Mom wouldn’t let me fly!” I laughed. “I’d like to see you do any better—without supernatural abilities, of course.”
“Yeah, tough guy,” my mom teased. “You can talk big, but you would have been just as lost as we were. I’m pretty sure there was jinni magic being used…I heard that the Oracle managed to create a similar experience in Nevertide.”
That made sense. No wonder Hazel had refused to join in. I could imagine that a Nevertide maze would haunt anyone for a long time.
“Did you find Vita?” Mom asked.
“I did. She was in the observatory. Curious kid, that one,” he remarked, looking pleased.
“Good,” Mom replied. “Now, will you please escort me to our room? I am absolutely exhausted and I am not waiting around for this party to end, because I think it’s going to be dawn before it does.”
“Of course,” Ben replied. “What are you going to do, Field?”
“I’m going to find Sky and the rest of them, and then do the same. I’m tired.”
I said goodnight to both of them, and made my way back to the place that I’d last seen them. They hadn’t gone far. Phoenix was gone, but the others were there, and they’d been joined by Jovi. There weren’t any fae girls to be seen, but they were all looking pretty pleased with themselves, draining glasses of some strange pink concoction that fizzed like soda when they placed it to their lips.
“Anyone ready to call it a night?” I asked.
“Already?” Rock cried. “The night’s just begun. The party’s just getting started!”
I sighed, rubbing my brow. I wasn’t going to be the one responsible for breaking up the merriment, and it was probably best that I just left them to it. It was most likely that they’d want to sleep outdoors anyway. I had a room waiting for me—one I was meant to be sharing with Maura.
“I’ll come,” Jovi replied sleepily. “I’ve had enough. See you all in the morning.”