Bloomer

14. An Uninviting Party

The only thing worse than a noisy house, is a quiet one after an especially unpleasant argument.

Clove and Adeline say absolutely nil on our trip up the stairs, and I use the silence to think of a reasonable explanation for why Miss K invited me to her powwow. I wouldn't be lying if I said she wanted me to get to know Della, and Bastian is mostly to blame for Della's bitch fit. I can't think of a single reason to bring up the 'M' word. I just need to focus on not giving myself away.

The two of them watch me from Clove's bed as I take a seat in a chair. I squeeze my hands between my knees, trying to calm my nerves. I'm buzzing like a nest of hornets, and my skin is red hot, a bad symptom to have around people with fever phobia. Thank Goddess they're keeping their distance. Anyone daring to tread too close will have their toe hair curled for them.

"I guess Della isn't happy about you moving in on her turf, eh?" Clove inspects her fingernails without glancing up, not even when I look at her. I really don't want to get on her shit list. Being on Della's is bad enough.

"I'm beginning to see why you two don't get along," I say. "She hates my guts, and I don't even know why."

Liar.

Clove snorts. "Don't feel special. She's a beast to everyone. What I'd like to know is why she was yelling at Bastian. I thought he would be the one to go all scavenger on her."

"He called her ugly."

Both girls bust out laughing, and Adeline stands to fix her hair in the mirror, lessening the tension a smidge.

"Bastian gives me the creeps." she says, as she adjusts her bobby pins. "I don't know how Della can sleep with a man with such a hideous scar."

"Don't be so shallow, Addie," Clove says. "No one snarks on you for your preferences. Besides, I don't think Mr. Bandana and the Princess of Darkness will be hooking up any time soon. Della's temper reached new heights today. I've never heard her shout at him like that."

Heather walks into the room and clears her throat. "I hate to break up the party, but three gents just walked in. Who's on deck?"

"That would be me," Adeline says. "Let's see what's on the menu tonight."

She strolls out to the balcony and abruptly turns around, her heels clicking on the wood floor as she runs back to the mirror. Her breathing is labored as she yanks the bobby pins out of her hair and arranges a few ringlets next to her cheeks. Then she opens Clove's top drawer, pulls out a tube of lipstick, and coats her mouth with a layer of pink that could put a petunia to shame.

"I guess you spotted one you like, huh?" I try not to sound shocked at her excitement.

"It's Bastian's first mate," Adeline says, as she smacks her lips. "He really gets my blood pumping."

She doesn't have to mention his name to get my skin crawling. What could she possibly see in a filthy lowlife like Rake?

Clove walks over and swipes her lipstick from Adeline, tossing it into the drawer. "You only like him 'cause he's just as kinky as you are. You shameless hussy."

Adeline's mouth curves into a smile and both girls erupt into laughter. Then, without warning, Clove grabs my arm and hauls me out of the chair.

"Come check out these guys, Ivy," she says. "There might be one just right for you."

You have got to be kidding me.

My stomach quickly ties into a knot, the kind they use to hang people. I really don't need more drama right now. Will Clove accuse me of faking if I tell her I don't feel well? It isn't a lie. I send my magic to its quiet place, which is difficult with Clove's mega grip on my arm. At least she hasn't said anything about my skin burning her. She probably just thinks I'm nervous, which I am. I smile at her, taking a second to collect my thoughts. If I'm going to stay at the house of sex and magic, I will have to face the music sooner or later. But whatever Clove's opinions are about the right guy for me, I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, it isn't Rake.