A

wo day

ight thing?" I asked, stopping

rls' night out, insis

t she'd practically dr

e found ourselve

r rather, forced me into a tight red

a gross understatement. My sixth sense was

my ears ring. Though Sasha was with us

Aria had already ordered drinks, a

wards me "Take this," she said "Forget all your pr

d took the g

r feet, a sudden burst of energy propelling

nd soon joined a group of guys who'd been blatantly ogling her since our arrival. They surrounde

over, making sur

redibly b

e was enjoy

my tongue, a stark contrast to the sweet

un, or just study

y mind, pulling me

ing a bl

ul, strong, and a

reveled in life's chaotic joy, who c

atched the craziest schemes, th

was

ns ago. The vibrant, extroverted girl h

he heart of every party now found solac

allowed by the crowd, or wand

ability I rarely allowed myself to feel. I was a ghost in my o

all alone like a grandma?" Aria

en what should I be doing?" I a

more fun than you!" Aria teased, tr

ded places," I replied

alone, either, a small v

beside me and taking my hand. Her eyes

, your life, with me someday. We've known each other for three year

"You know my name, my work, where I live, who I live

on't see me as your best friend?" The softness in her eyes, illumi

ere I

, and she began to pull her hand away. I gr

hat. Like a sister

know how to explain things. But I can promise you, wh

ked, a flicker of

elaxed, a wave of happiness washing ov

'll react, after hearing my truth, my ga

, the darkness that clung to me,

from my seat with an urgency that belied her playful tone. "Come now

er own hands finding my waist, and sw

d my lips, a sound that

rred, mimicking a low, husky male vo

hed in amusemen

ng with mischief. "Wanna go out for a drink?" She

sound that felt foreign after so

round playfully, then pulling me into a b

like Men," I said,

fixed on something over my shoulder. A flicker of unease dance

ering through the main entrance. Their presence

with his styled hair, clean-sh

ished elegance, a gentleman with a

o hold ancient secrets, messy black hair that framed high cheekbones and sharp, angular features, all contributing to an inten

ntly. They were Aria's

sin. The second, Nester Volkov, a c

vil himself, Kabir La

The targets