For over a minute, none of the girls said a word. Not after what theyād just seen.
"I think Iām traumatized," Ivy was the first to break the silence. "I need a drink." She took a few steps before throwing her hands in the air. "We donāt even have a damn drink!"
Lila stood. "Give me a minute."
She vanished and returned moments later with a bottle filled with some strange blue liquid. Before Ivy could even comment, Lila had already poured her a glass.
Ivy eyed the drink skeptically. "Is this even safe?" It would be foolish to assume Lila had just pulled a random bottle from the heavens. This had Fae concoction written all over it.
"Yes, itās safe for humans. And perfect for the kind of uncomfortable situation we find ourselves in," Lila said, urging her to try.
Well, whatās the worst that could happen? Itās not like sheād dance until her feet blistered and her heart gave out. Right? Sheād read all about humans and enchanted Fae food. But Ivy chose to believe she hadnāt done anything to provoke Lila. Kind of. Hopefully. Whatever.
Ivy tilted her head back and downed the shot, only to groan seconds later as it hit her like a lightning bolt to the brain. "God!" she gasped, then laughed. "This is insanely strong, yet tastes perfect at the same time. I donāt even know how to explain the feeling."
"I need one too," Violet said.
"Same," Daisy echoed, clearly convinced after Ivy had just served as their very brave, very dramatic test subject.
Minutes later, the girls sat slouched on the sofa, half-drunk drinks in hand, staring blankly into space. No one dared bring up what they had just watched, each waiting for the other to speak first.
Daisy had already shut the laptop and put it away. Goddess knows she couldnāt stomach a second more of that unexpected horror.
And, unsurprisingly, she was also the first to break the silence. "You do know this is going to be intense, right?" Her question was aimed directly at Violet.
Violet downed the rest of her drink in one go, put the glass away and, and finally replied. "Yeah, itās going to be explosive. That wasnāt the secret we were hoping for, but itās massive, and more than enough to finally put Elsie in her place."
"I know Elsieās a terrible person," Ivy said hesitantly, "but I suddenly feel kind of weird. Like, uncomfortable putting her secret out like that."
Before Violet could speak, Lila jumped in, saying with a fierce voice. "Elsie wouldnāt hesitate to do the same to the princess if she got the chance. Oh wait, she
already
did. Donāt tell me youāre having second thoughts." Her narrowed eyes bore into Ivy with enough heat to make her heart stumble.
"O-Of course not!" Ivy laughed nervously.
"Good." It was just one word from Lila, but it was enough to send shivers crawling down Ivyās spine. Damn that Fae was terrifying.
Eager to deflect the attention off herself, Ivy asked, "So... Elsieās a lesbian?"
"I wouldnāt really say that," Daisy replied thoughtfully. "I think sheās experimenting. And with the Alpha Kingās rule in place to keep her away from the cardinal alphas, this is her way of scratching that itch without technically breaking the rules."
"So sheās bi?"
"Bi or not," Violet said firmly, "this little fix of hers just handed us the perfect ammunition. Elsie Lancaster is going down on Sunday. No questions asked."
And to that, the girls nodded in agreement.
Suddenly, Violet stood up. Facing the girls, she said, "This has become more than just a revenge plan. Itās a revolution. And if it gains the momentum weāre aiming for, then itās safe to say, not just the cardinal alphas, not just Elsie, but the school authority is going to be gunning for us. If they find out..." Violet didnāt finish intentionally, letting the implication settle in the air.
If the school traced it back to them, there was no doubt theyād be expelled. Maybe someone like Ivy had parents wealthy enough to secure her future elsewhere. But for girls like Daisy and Violet ā well, not anymore, she was a Fae princess nowāthey all had something to lose. Lunaris Academy was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a better future.
In one word, Violet was giving them a chance to back out before things escalated.
She waited. And it was no surprise when Daisy stood up first.
"I just spent hours of my life scouring through Elsieās secrets and now have an image of her ass permanently imprinted on my brain. What makes you think Iād back out now?"
"Iām just saying, itās not too late." Violetās voice was soft, but serious. If push came to shove, Daisy would be the most affected.
"Well, bring it on, bitch. We started this, and weāre finishing it together, come what may. Weāre a pack now. And what pack member abandons its Alpha?"
"What?" Violet blinked, startled at the sudden proclamation. She glanced at the others as if to silently ask,
Did you all just hear that?
But Ivy stood up with a smug smile. "Yes. We are the Rogue Pack. And weāve got a bitchy Fae princess as Alpha, a multi-skilled, smartass nerd ā"
"Iām not a nerdā" Daisy protested.
"Donāt ruin my grand speech," Ivy cut her off immediately. She took a dramatic breath, chin raised. "We have a smartass nerd. The helpful, sassy aristocratāme." She gestured proudly.
Daisy groaned in exasperation.
"And then," Ivy continued, "our ruthless protector and Fae guardian as beta. What more could we ask for? We are the perfect Rogue Pack!" She beamed.
A slow smile crossed Violetās lips.
Then it was Lilaās turn. She shrugged, nonchalantly. "I guess we just have to be careful, then. Weāre all in this. Moreover..." Her voice turned chillingly casual. "I could always eliminate anyone who tries to cause trouble for us."
"No killing, Lila. Like ever." Violetās command was immediate.
Lila pouted in annoyance. "Youāre just as soft and stubborn as the Fae queen."
At the mention of her mother, Violetās throat tightened. She still needed answers about the woman who birthed her but Lila had never been forthcoming.
Before she could dwell on it, Lila chimed in loudly, "So weāre really doing this."
"Yes. We are."