Chapter 81

Mia

We’re standing in the middle of the pack’s training clearing, surrounded by sweaty warriors sparring like it’s the freaking Olympics. I swear, if one more guy with a six-pack walks by shirtless, I’m gonna forget why we’re here.

“What now?” Lily mutters, looking around like a lost tourist.

I roll my eyes and elbow her. “We find Vanessa. She’s always hanging out here in the evenings, doing…goddess knows what.”

Lily shrugs. “Sounds shady?”

I ignore her and start scanning the area. And then I spot Vanessa, sitting in a corner with a group of her cool kid squad, laughing and chatting.

“There,” Lily says, pointing at them.

“Alright, let’s do this.” I adjust my jacket, take a deep breath, and plaster a fake smile. “Let’s go.”

We walk over, and the second we’re within earshot, Vanessa and her friends all stop talking, turning their heads toward us like we just interrupted something important. The looks on their faces? Pure disgust.