Seven Black Diamonds (Seven Black Diamonds #1)(46)

“Lily?”

She paused, and Alkamy added, “That’s Creed’s shirt. Please don’t make things more complicated than they need to be.”

And as much as Lily wanted to reply, she didn’t know exactly what to say, whether she should point out that she didn’t take orders or attempt to say that she didn’t want Creed. The first was true, but saying it would be tantamount to admitting the latter, which despite her best efforts was quickly becoming a lie. So Lily opted for silence.

A few hours later, Lily woke to the sound of crying outside her bedroom door. The air smelled like someone had left a campfire burning, not the kind of smoky scent that worried her, but combined with the weeping, it was enough for Lily to investigate.

After stumbling to the common room, she found Alkamy sitting there with none other than Violet Lamb. The crying was coming from Violet, whose expression suddenly was anything but sad when she spied Lily in the doorway. In barely more time than it took to wipe the tears from her cheek, Violet was standing and glaring at Lily.

“So, you’re the new roommate.”

Like Alkamy, Violet was the sort of beautiful that made it difficult to deny her heritage. Even in the small bit of sunlight that came through the window, Violet’s vivid red hair recalled living fire. Her skin was like twilight, and the contrast of the seemingly living flames of her hair and the shadowed hues of her skin made her every bit as stunning as Alkamy.

The words tumbled from Lily in her half-asleep state: “How does anyone believe that you’re not fae-blood?”

Violet lifted one brow in an aristocratic query.

“Seriously, Zephyr and Creed might be able to pass, but you two?” Lily flopped on the empty chair, too emotionally drained to once again go through the whole do-I-admit-I-know game. She tucked her feet under her and said, “Lilywhite Abernathy. Missing member of your group, daughter of crime lord, exceedingly bad at social etiquette.”

Violet turned her gaze on Alkamy. “Forget to mention something?”

Alkamy shrugged as if she was utterly nonplussed. “I said I had a new suitemate.”

“You didn’t say that it was her.”

At that, Alkamy giggled. “Admit it, Vi. You wouldn’t have let her sleep, and it was more fun to be surprised, wasn’t it?” She nudged Violet with her foot. “If you’d stopped to see any of the boys, you’d know.”

Violet shook her head and turned her attention back to Lily. “So, Zeph’s imaginary girlfriend finally graces us with her presence.”

“Vi!”

“It’s fine, Kamy.” Lily didn’t look away from Violet as she spoke. Much like the daughters of Daidí’s business associates had always done, Violet was assessing Lily, determining where she ranked, deciding if she was worthy or a threat or simply dismissible. “Violet is just embarrassed that I heard her weeping.” Lily paused and met Violet’s gaze. “Or is it a protective thing?”

“Protective. I don’t do embarrassed.” Violet stood. Flashes of fire seemed to hover like lightning in her dark brown eyes for a moment as she stepped in front of Alkamy, who sighed.

“Good.” Lily nodded once. “So far, they all seem like they could use a bit of protecting. I haven’t met Will or Roan, but these other three are all a little reckless.”

Violet’s entire posture shifted. Lily thought she might even see hints of a smile that was quickly dismissed before Violet asked, “What’s your affinity?”

“I’m earth and water,” Lily offered the half-truth with a yawn. Eventually she might need to let them all in on it, but not yet.

Alkamy glanced at her questioningly, but she didn’t add “and air.” That moment of silence told her a lot about Alkamy, and Lily was grateful.

“So are you okay then?” Lily risked. “The crying earlier . . .” She let her words trail off in an invitation.

Violet shifted. “Always. I am always okay.”

“There was an incident,” Alkamy said softly. “A shopping mall in York burned last night.”

Violet’s defensive posture told Lily more than she wanted to know, but she still asked, “You?”

She tilted her head, chin jutting out, eyes narrowed. “We all get orders, Lilywhite. Everyone must do things for the cause.”

Before Lily could reply, Alkamy added, “It was either this or Roan. Vi took it on so he didn’t have to.”

“He would’ve,” Violet said quickly. “We’re obedient to our orders. Roan would—”

“I’m not judging either of you.” Lily met her eyes. “I wasn’t raised to obey the Queen of Blood and Rage, but I’m also not going to hate you for whatever you think you have to do.”

“You’ll have to do it too. Now that you’re here—”

“No. I’m not hers,” Lily interrupted.

Violet started to say something else, but at the touch of Alkamy’s hand on her wrist, she closed her mouth.

The easy flow of words didn’t resume. Violet had just committed murder, and from the looks of it she felt guilty. She’d done it to protect one of her friends from that very guilt. Like the rest of the Sleepers, Violet was someone Lily could respect.

Resolved, Lily stood and announced, “I still need to meet Will and Roan. Let’s get breakfast and then you can take me to meet them.”