Evermore Academy (Evermore Academy #3) - Audrey Grey Page 0,64

diamonds in the shape of half-moons trail from the center of her chest down to her navel.

Her ashy silver brows flick up as she takes me in, her silver-painted lips curling into a wicked smile. “If you’re going for avenging goddess of fire and sex you totally nailed it.”

I spin, marveling at the way the dress clings to my body instead of flaring outward. “I was thinking Summer Court badass but I’ll take it.”

“What’s that?” Mack asks. “Your bestie is awesome?”

She’s the one who picked out the dress, although my mother technically paid for it. “Yep.” I pop out my hip. “She’s a fashion genius.”

“Damn straight I am.” Mack gives a little bow, her generous cleavage only making me a little jealous. “That’s a fuck you to Inara if I ever saw one. She’s so going to regret inviting you.”

“Hopefully, if the universe loves me, she’ll have two reasons to regret forcing me to attend her stupid party by the end of the night.”

Mack whips her phone from her sequined Chanel clutch. “Time for a selfie, queens. We may never look this hot again.”

Eclipsa grimaces as Mack and I sandwich on either side of her. Mack quickly snaps the pic before Eclipsa can escape. “We are some bad bitches.”

“Where was my invite to this love orgy?” Ruby calls as she darts from the kitchen lugging a glass of red wine. When she sees me, she halts midair, sending red wine surging onto the white rug. “Damn, Kid. I think you just got me pregnant.”

I slip on my best mom face. “Ruby, you promised you wouldn’t drink before the party.”

“This glass of mouth-watering grapeblood is for you.” Her wings pump double time as she flies the glass over to me. “You seemed nervous and I thought you might need it.”

I’m not entirely sure how she got wine, considering we locked the alcohol up after the fireball incident, but I gratefully take the drink.

Mack scowls at the sprite. “Funny how it’s only half full.”

“How else could I ensure it wasn’t poisoned?” Ruby says with a straight face.

Mack cuts her eyes at me. “Who’s the boss here?”

“Me,” I say.

“Girl, I’m totally letting you borrow the parenting books my dads own. They have like an entire library of them. That’s how I turned out so awesome.”

I knock back the wine. The soft, fruity red goes down way too easy. Ruby’s right. I am nervous. Not about the inevitable torture that’s to come.

That I can handle.

Tonight is the night I publicly humiliate Inara, aka poke an already pissed off and slightly homicidal bear. Inara’s pride is her most prized possession. Taking that away suddenly seems like a death wish. “If anyone wants to back out tonight, I won’t be mad.”

Eclipsa gives me a hurt look. “Did you think I would let you knock Inara from her ivory tower without me? Please. I’ve been waiting for this like half my life.”

“Mack?”

“Girl, I’m your ride-or-die and I already maxed out my groceries credit card on this couture dress, plus I’m a smokeshow in this so . . .” She runs her hands down the black velvet napkin she calls a dress, showing off her stunning curves. “It would be a sin not to wear it tonight.”

My bestie’s bravery makes my heart swell. “I know a certain dragon shifter who’s going to spontaneously combust when he sees you in that thing.”

Mack swishes her hips and does a sexy dance and she’s lucky I’m not into girls or I’d propose on the spot.

I turn to Ruby. “Last chance to back out of the plan.”

“Kid, this is the Evermore party of the century. A thousand darklings couldn’t keep me away.”

With that, we cheers to our daring plan and then head out the door to the awaiting portal.

26

Inara’s birthday party isn’t like the few celebrations I went to at Amarillo High. Instead of a text with the location of a barn and promise of kegs, Inara’s invitations were made of ice, and the address is the entire floor of one of Valerian’s hotels. Once the ice invitation melted, it produced a key that I’ll need to enter the party.

Asher gave Mack his plus one key, which I didn’t get since I’m technically Hellebore’s plus one.

Each antique key is shaped like a winter woodland animal. Mine is a white tiger while Mack’s key is smaller, the top carved into the face of an arctic fox.

The portal spits us out onto a side street of Evernell, the Winter King’s playground. Bars and clubs