Book Five: Chapter 79

“You didn’t look too sure of yourself after I fell,” Beth said, her voice clipped with a mixture of irritation and concern. She crossed her arms, shining her flashlight around the room to make sure no new threats were creeping in from the shadows.

Lily shrugged nonchalantly, the edges of her mouth twitching upward in amusement. “I would have kissed your boo-boos,” she said, voice playful, though her eyes darted around the dark corners, alert for any sudden movement.

Beth gave her a sharp look, tone rising slightly. “I’m asking Sofia to make you angel food cake, Lily. That’s the kind of hurt I’m inflicting.”

“Ooh, hurt me more,” Lily teased, her coat flicking off her shoulders as it vanished in a puff of smoke, though she kept the pipe in her hand, smoke curling upward lazily. “Whatever will I do if I’m forced to eat a fucking cake?” She tapped the pipe agains