“What?I’m just saying.”Raven shrugged, and smirked when Wren smacked her arm.
I leaned against the kitchen doorway with my coffee, doing my best to blend into the wall.This wasn’t my battlefield.The women had taken over the clubhouse to plan Eden’s graduation party, which was still two weeks away, and I was smart enough to stay the hell out of it.
Bell and Calla were scribbling notes like this was a final exam, while Clove sat cross-legged on the rug with a glue gun plugged in, muttering to herself about centerpieces.Carnie paced in and out of the kitchen, already muttering about toppings for the mac and cheese bar.
Total bedlam.
“Wendy, are you writing this down?”Alice demanded.
“I’m not writing downtwenty-five tables,Alice,” Wendy snapped back, waving her pen.“That’s insane.”
“It is not insane-”
“Mason!”
Mac’s voice cut through the noise, sharp enough to make me flinch.
I turned toward the hallway to see Mac headed toward me.
But this time, she wasn’t alone.
A girl walked in behind her, lugging a bag that looked like it weighed more than she did.Early twenties, long braid over one shoulder, jeans and sneakers, smile bright but cautious.Her eyes flicked over the chaos like she was trying to memorize every detail.
“Everyone,” Mac called and clapped her hands.“This is my daughter, Star.She’s going to be helping us catalog footage, assist with interviews, and keep files straight.That way I can focus on directing instead of paperwork.”
The room actually went quiet.For about three seconds.
Then Alice barreled forward, streamers bouncing, and eyes wide.“Well, aren’t you adorable?Do you know how to use a glue gun?”
Star blinked.“Uh… yes?”
“Perfect.Sit next to Clove.”Alice shoved a roll of tape at her and pointed to the floor.
Mac stepped in.“Alice, she’s here to help me-”
“Help comes in all forms,” Alice interrupted.“And right now it looks like tape.”
Star hesitated, then laughed nervously and dropped her bag.She lowered herself to the rug beside Clove, tape clutched in her hand like Alice might snatch it back.
Wendy shook her head.“She’s going to scare her off.”
“She’ll survive,” Mac said dryly.“Star grew up with me.She’s tougher than she looks.”
I smirked into my cup.Yeah, the girl was going to need all the toughness she could muster if Alice had already claimed her.
And then I saw Adley.
She’d been sitting at the end of the bar, sunglasses pushed up on her head, fiddling with a roll of tape while she half-listened to the circus around her.
The second Star sat down looking like she was in over her head, Adley stood.She smoothed down her shirt, rolled her shoulders back, and walked over like she’d been born for this exact moment.
“Don’t let Alice scare you,” Adley said, crouching down beside Star.Her voice was warm, teasing.“She looks like she’s about to set the world on fire with streamers, but she’s harmless.Mostly.”
Star laughed.“This feels like… I don’t know.A circus.”
“That’s because it is,” Adley grinned.“Welcome to the Fallen Lords.Streamers, glue guns, and Carnie yelling at anyone who walks into the kitchen.Rule number one- never argue with Alice about decorations.Rule number two- if Carnie’s cooking, stay out of her way unless you want a wooden spoon thrown at your head.And rule number three…” She leaned in like she was sharing a secret.“…Always keep wine close when Raven starts talking.”
“Iheardthat!”Raven barked.
