idn't bring me joy. It brought me a grim sense of balance. Like s

ite in the officers' quarters. It was sparse, smelling of floor w

ted. The "Vanderbilt Meltdown" was trending,

e. He needed investors to plug the

e modest, high-necked things Julian liked. This was a slip of midnight silk, back

t the scar on my shoulder from a ricochet in

driver said from the doorway. He d

he air smelled of expensiv

ers paused. They didn't recognize me at first. I

rl asked, looking me up

Ster

don't see... oh. Are you

'm the guest of

nor? You mean Pr

es

ue, a booming voice

There s

's keynote speaker regarding 'Future Tech,' came barreling through the

it's been too long. The faculty still ta

rs started

there? Isn't that

the bar. He looked haggard. Seraphina was clinging to

glass stopped hal

hedding Seraphina

sed, leaning in close. "Did you f

I said, sipping a

Jade. You don't fit in here. These people are intelle

us. "She's one of the brightest minds I've ever encountered

inked. "E

a tone of disappointment directed at Julian. "She understood comple

ntial. Everyone has potential, Prof

ppled outw

d in, stepping up. "Jade went to

d. "Because Julian was insecure abou

t crimson. "I bui

y," I said. "

n. The auctionee

r one. A rare blue diamond neckla

ll of hate. He wanted to hurt me. He

on," Julia

oice from th

. He didn't have four million liquid. I kn

ion!" Juli

raphina beamed, squeezi

I didn't shout. I

llion,"

ane. You don't have ten million dollars. S

him dead

le who believe in my vision. Unlike you, I don'

a step

hey are bettin

weren't looking at him with admiration any

ed the gavel. "To Ms. Sterl

ay, the adrenaline

the light