Dahlia's POV
"Cupcakes."
The word was so mundane, so innocent, but coming from Ariana's mouth it felt like a death sentence. It was a memory from the Gala, the last thing Gina had been obsessed with before the black oil took her.
"Run," Nate hissed, the word barely a whisper.
He didn't look back to see if the lady in the gold dress was real or a phantom. He just grabbed Aidan's hand and started moving.
I didn't need to be told twice. I hoisted Axel higher, he felt like a lead weight, his glowing palms pressed against my neck as I grabbed Ariana.
I expected to hear the rustle of silk behind us, or the screech of something that used to be a Luna, but there was only the sound of our own panicked breathing.
We walked for what felt like hours, moving through the shadow-places Nate knew. We avoided the open ridges where the Elders' blue lanterns flickered like vengeful stars in the valley.
