Page 85 of The Stone Secret
“Are you expecting anyone?” Selas asked Orix.
“You know I don’t bring my guests here,” Orix said on his way to the stairwell. “I’ll see who it is.”
Taz appeared as if out of nowhere and padded after him, his personal feline shadow.
I finished loading the plates into the dishwasher and wiped the countertop.
“What’s your plan for the evening?” Prasan asked.
“Shower then bed with a book.”
“You can join us for a movie if you like.” He smiled kindly. “We have a few on tape here.”
It had been too long since I’d watched a movie. “What do you have?”
“You can take a look. Romi built quite a collection.” He winced.
“It’s okay to talk about him. We’re going to get him back.”
His warm brown eyes shone with an echo of my confidence. “Yes, we are.”
“Cameron.” Orix stood at the stairwell door. “It’s for you.”
Huh? “Me?”
Prasan frowned. “Who is it?”
“Come and see,” Orix said in a sing-song voice.
I followed him down the stairs to the entrance hall to find it filled with my friends.
“What are you guys doing here?”
“We came to see if you’d like to come to a party,” Ginia said with a cheeky smile.
“We have parties here?”
She leaned in and stage-whispered, “A secret pre-exam party to let off some steam.”
“La, la, la, can’t hear anything,” Orix said, turning his back on us.
“Absolutely not,” Prasan said, bristling. “Cameron needs her rest before—”
“Chill out, mother hen,” Orix said. “Don’t you remember how it used to be? This could be the last time they get to blow off some steam before the actual cadet exams.” He grinned at me. “Go, have fun.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Prasan looked seriously concerned.
“It’s the last time everyone might be together,” Selas said from the metal staircase. Touron’s head whipped up, his gaze fixing on her in an expression that looked almost like adoration. “After the cadet exams, not everyone will be here to celebrate,” she finished.
There was no real choice here. My friends had come to get me, and I was going with them. “Let’s do this.”
CHAPTER34
Goyles didn’t get intoxicated, but we didn’t need to be tipsy to let loose, as I was witnessing right now.
The lower floor of the dorm had been turned into a club. Colorful lights whizzed about the room, and music blared from some unknown origin. Cadets and initiates danced or stood chatting and drinking from gray plastic cups. Several omegas had joined in the fun, each surrounded by males eager to get their attention.
Evelyn stood to one side with Master Raffi, her sharp gaze keeping track of her wards.
