Chapter 10

She always loved catching me at my worst.

Always had to show Kyle.

Said it made me look "real and adorable."

Every single guest had their phone out.

Recording this whole thing.

Lyra slipped back behind Kyle.

Her own phone aimed right at me.

I caught the smirk.

She knew. She knew exactly how stupid I looked — standing there in my ceremonial robes, holding this hideous, cursed-looking thing like an idiot.

Kyle pushed the amber higher. His voice dropped. Urgent.

"Selene, come on. Lyra even got you a gift. That's her apology."

"The Elders are watching. Everyone's watching.

Isn't this literally everything you've ever wanted?"

Apology.

I looked back down at the statue.

He genuinely could not see it. How cheap it was. How ugly it was.

I almost laughed.

But a tear came out instead.

They both saw it. They probably thought I was happy-crying.

I closed my eyes.

I raised my hand.

And then the whole room just — exploded.

Thick, slimy liquid and silver glitter shot out from every direction, all at once.

All over me.

My face. My hair. Everything.

White confetti floating down around me like I was at a funeral.

It was all over my gown. Soaked in. A complete disaster.

Every flash in the room went off at once.

Kyle shot Lyra a soft, adoring look. Then turned back to me, grinning.

"Selene, we lost at Truth or Dare, you can't actually be—"

WHACK.

I moved before I even thought about it.

My hand came down hard across his face.

The Bonding Amber flew out of his grip and skidded into the corner.

Lyra screamed at me. "It was just a joke! Who do you think you are, hitting Kyle?"