of us.
With so much time on my hands for the rest of the day, I decided to do a quick check-in with Lissa. In spite of myself, I was kind of curious about how things had panned out with Avery Lazar.
While Lissa's intentions were good, she'd still had some misgivings about bringing Avery along to lunch. And yet, she was pleasantly surprised to see Avery fitting in perfectly, charming both Adrian and Christian. Admittedly, Adrian was impressed by pretty much anything female. Christian was harder to crack, but even he seemed to be growing fond of her-probably because she kept teasing Adrian. Anyone who could make a joke at Adrian's expense ranked high on Christian's list.
"So, explain this," Avery said, winding linguine around her fork. "You just, what, hang around the Academy all day? Are you trying to redo your high school experience?"
"Nothing to redo," said Adrian loftily. "I totally ruled my high school. I was worshipped and adored-not that that should come as a shock." Beside him, Christian nearly choked on his food.
"So... you're trying to relive your glory days. It's all gone downhill since then, huh?"
"No way," said Adrian. "I'm like a fine wine. I get better with age. The best is yet to come."
"Seems like it'd get old after a while," said Avery, apparently not convinced by the compelling wine simile. "I'm certainly bored, and I even spend part of the day helping my dad."
"Adrian sleeps most of the day," noted Lissa, trying to keep a straight face. "So he doesn't actually have to worry about finding things to do."
"Hey, I spend a good portion of my time helping you unravel the mysteries of spirit," Adrian reminded her.
Avery leaned forward, curiosity all over her pretty face. "So it's actually real? I heard stories about spirit... about how you can heal people?"
It took Lissa a moment to respond. She wasn't sure she'd ever get used to her magic being out in the open now. "Among other things. We're still figuring it out."
Adrian was more eager than she was to discuss it-probably in the hopes of impressing Avery-and provided a quick rundown of some of spirit's abilities, like auras and compulsion. "And," he added, "I can visit people in their dreams."
Christian held up a hand. "Stop. I can feel there's a comment coming on about how women already dream about you. I just ate, you know."
"I wasn't going to go there," said Adrian. But he kind of looked like he wished he'd thought of the joke first. I couldn't help being a little amused.
Adrian was so brash and flippant in public... and then, in my dreams, he'd show that serious and concerned side. He was more complex than anyone gave him credit for.
Avery looked floored. "Man. I used to think using air was cool. I guess not." A small breeze suddenly blew her hair back, making her look as though she were posing for a swimsuit photo shoot. She gave the group a dazzling smile. All that was missing was a photographer.
The sound of the bell made them all stand up. Christian realized he'd left homework in another class and hurried off to get it-after kissing Lissa goodbye, of course.
Adrian departed equally as fast. "The teachers start giving me dirty looks if I hang around once classes start." He gave Lissa and Avery a small half bow. "Until next time, ladies."
Avery, who couldn't care less about what teachers thought, walked with Lissa to her next class. The older girl's face was thoughtful. "So... you really are with Christian, right?" Was she ever. If Avery'd seen half the things I'd seen Christian and Lissa do through the bond, there'd be no question.
Lissa laughed. "Yes, why?"
Avery hesitated, piquing Lissa's curiosity. "Well... I heard that you were involved with Adrian."
Lissa nearly stopped walking. "Where did you hear that?"
"
At Court
. The queen was saying how happy she is about you guys being a couple and how you're always together."
Lissa groaned. "That's because whenever I go to Court, she invites him too and then sends us both off to do things for her. It's not by choice... well, I mean, don't get me wrong. I don't mind spending time with him, but the reason we're always together there is because Tatiana makes us."
"She seems to like you, though. She talks about you all the time, about how much potential you have and how proud she is of you."
"I think she's proud to manipulate me. Going there is such a pain. She either completely ignores