Aria’s POV
"So THIS is the new place!"
Sophie burst through my apartnt door like a small hurricane. Suitcase abandoned in the hallway. Eyes wide. Head swiveling in every direction.
The apartnt was tiny. Really tiny. One bedroom that Lina and I shared. A kitchen the size of a closet. A living room that was barely more than a couch and a TV stand.
It was nothing compared to what Sophie was used to.
"I know it’s small—"
"I LOVE IT!"
I blinked. "You... what?"
"It’s PERFECT!" She spun around. Arms spread wide. Nearly knocked over my lamp. "It’s cozy! It’s cute! It’s totally YOU!" She bounced onto my couch. Tested the cushions. "And this couch is actually comfortable. I expected worse."
"Thanks. I think."
Lina tugged at my hand. "Mommy, can I show Sophie my toys?"
"Go ahead, baby."
She grabbed Sophie’s arm. Started dragging her toward the bedroom.
"I have a unicorn! And a bunny! And a dinosaur that Uncle Cassius gave !"
"Uncle Cassius?" Sophie shot a look over her shoulder. Eyebrows raised. "The handso healer guy?"
"He’s just a friend."
"Uh-huh." That tone. I knew that tone. "Sure he is."
They disappeared into the bedroom. I could hear Lina’s excited chatter. Sophie’s exaggerated gasps of amazent at every single toy.
I leaned against the kitchen counter. Let out a breath.
My phone buzzed. A text from Cassius.
*Still on for dinner tonight? I can bring food.*
I typed back quickly. *Yes. Sophie’s dying to et you.*
*Should I be worried?*
*Probably.*
Cassius arrived at six.
He’d brought enough food to feed an army. Containers stacked in his arms. The sll of roasted at and herbs filling my tiny apartnt.
"You didn’t have to do all this," I said, taking so containers from him.
"I wanted to." He smiled. That warm, gentle smile. "It’s a special occasion."
"It’s just dinner."
"It’s your first dinner in your new ho. With your best friend visiting." He set the remaining containers on my counter. "That’s worth celebrating."
Sophie appeared from the bedroom. Lina on her hip.
She stopped dead.
Stared at Cassius.
Her mouth actually fell open.
"Um." She blinked rapidly. "Hi."
"You must be Sophie." Cassius extended his hand. "Aria’s told so much about you."
Sophie took his hand. Shook it once. Kept holding it.
"She... she has?"
"All good things." His smile widened. "It’s wonderful to finally et you."
Sophie’s cheeks turned pink.
Actually pink.
I’d never seen Sophie blush in my entire life.
"Yeah." Her voice ca out higher than normal. "Sa. I an, likewise. I an—" She cleared her throat. "Nice to et you too."
Cassius gently extracted his hand. "Should I set up dinner?"
"Yes!" Sophie released his hand like it had burned her. "Dinner! Food! Great idea!"
He headed toward the kitchen. Sophie grabbed my arm. Yanked toward the corner.
"Aria." Her whisper was frantic. "ARIA."
"What?"
"You didn’t tell he looked like THAT."
"Like what?"
"Like THAT!" She gestured wildly in Cassius’s direction. "All tall and silver-haired and gentle-eyed and—" She fanned herself. "Is it hot in here? It feels hot in here."
"Sophie—"
"Your wolf friend is WAY too handso!" She hissed. "You should have warned ! I would have worn sothing cuter!"
"You look fine."
"I look like I just got off a train! Because I DID just get off a train!"
"Sophie—"
"Dinner’s ready!" Cassius called from the kitchen.
Sophie straightened instantly. Smoothed her hair. Pinched her cheeks.
"How do I look?"
"Like soone who’s lost her mind."
"Perfect. That’s my natural state."
She marched toward the table. Head high. Shoulders back. Like she was walking into battle.
I shook my head. Followed behind.
This was going to be an interesting dinner.
---
We squeezed around my tiny table. Cassius had brought way too much food. Every inch of surface was covered with dishes.
Lina sat between Sophie and Cassius. Already grabbing for the mashed potatoes.
"So, Cassius." Sophie’s voice was carefully casual. "Aria tells you’re a healer."
"That’s right." He passed her a plate. "I run a clinic near the eastern border."
"How fascinating." She leaned forward. Chin on her hand. "Tell more."
I watched her. This was the Sophie I knew. The one who could charm anyone. The one who knew exactly how to work a room.
But there was sothing different this ti.
The blush hadn’t faded.
She was actually nervous.
Cassius talked about his work. His patients. The satisfaction of helping people heal. Sophie hung on every word. Asked follow-up questions. Laughed at his jokes—even the ones that weren’t that funny.
"I was thinking. You and Sophie probably want so ti to catch up. Just the two of you."
I frowned. "What do you an?"
"I could take Lina for a few days." His voice was gentle. Careful. "Give you a chance to show Sophie around without worrying about napti schedules."
"Oh, I couldn’t ask you to—"
"You’re not asking. I’m offering." He smiled. "Besides, Lina and I have fun together. Don’t we, little one?"
Lina’s eyes snapped open. Suddenly very awake.
"Uncle Cassius!" She bounced in her seat. "Can I really stay with you? Can I? Please?"
"If your mommy says yes."
She turned to . Those big black-gold eyes. The most devastating puppy dog look I’d ever seen.
"Please, Mommy? I miss Uncle Cassius’s house. "
"Baby, I don’t want to bother him—"
Sophie kicked under the table.
"Ow!"
"Say yes," she mouthed.
Another kick. Harder this ti.
"OW!"
"Well..." I looked at Sophie. At Cassius. At my daughter’s hopeful face. "I suppose a few days wouldn’t hurt."
"YAY!"
Lina launched herself at Cassius. He caught her easily. Laughing. He stood. Lina in his arms. "I should get her ho before she gets too excited to sleep."
Sophie stood too. Smoothing her dress.
"Well, Cassius." Her smile was almost shy. "It was really nice eting you."
"Likewise." He shifted Lina to one hip. "Perhaps we’ll see each other again before you leave?"
"Oh, definitely." Sophie’s blush returned full force. "I an—I’d like that. If you’re not busy. Maybe I could... visit? See your clinic? Or just... hang out?"
She was rambling. Sophie never rambled.
Cassius smiled. That knowing, gentle smile.
"You’re welco anyti."
"Great!" Her voice cracked. "Cool! Aweso! I’ll... I’ll do that!"
I walked them to the door. Hugged Lina tight.
"Be good for Uncle Cassius, okay?"
"I’m always good."
"Uh-huh. Sure you are."
She giggled. Waved at Sophie. Then they were gone.
The door closed.
Sophie whirled on .
"ARIA."
"What?"
Sophie grinned. That dangerous grin I knew so well. "I found us the PERFECT place to go tonight."
"Tonight? Sophie, it’s late—"
"It’s not THAT late. And I did research!" She pulled out her phone. Started scrolling. "There’s this place. Super exclusive. Very exciting. Everyone in the territory talks about it. I brought outfits! And masks!" She was already dragging toward her suitcase. "It’s apparently a mask thing. Very mysterious. Very sexy."
"Masks?"
"Yes! Look!"
She pulled out a garnt bag. Unzipped it with a flourish.
Inside were two dresses. One black. One deep red. Both absolutely stunning.
And beneath them, two masks. Delicate. Beautiful. Covered in intricate designs.
---
An hour later, I barely recognized myself.
The red dress hugged my body in ways I’d forgotten clothes could. The makeup Sophie had done made my eyes look smoky. Mysterious. The mask covered half my face, leaving only my lips and chin visible.
I looked... dangerous.
"PERFECT!" Sophie clapped her hands. "You look absolutely incredible!"
She was wearing the black dress. A silver mask. Her blonde hair tumbled over her shoulders in waves.
We looked like we were going to so kind of secret ball.
"Are you sure about this?"
"Positive! Now co on. The car’s waiting."
We headed downstairs. A sleek black car waited at the curb. Sophie slid in first. I followed.
"Where to?" The driver asked.
Sophie checked her phone. Show an address to the driver.
I watched the city pass by outside the window. The streets got darker. Less polished. We were heading into a part of the territory I didn’t recognize.
My stomach started to tighten.
The car slowed. Pulled to a stop.
"We’re here," the driver announced.
Sophie bounded out. I followed more slowly.
The street was dark. A few streetlights flickering. Shadows everywhere.
And ahead of us, a building. Industrial. Intimidating. A line of people waiting outside.
My heart started pounding.
"Co on!" She grabbed my arm. Pulled forward. "Don’t be scared! It’s going to be fun!"
We walked toward the entrance. Past the line of people. Past the bouncer who nodded at Sophie’s mask like it was so kind of password.
And then we were inside.
The noise hit first. Loud. Primal. The sound of shouting. Cheering. Sothing raw and violent echoing off the walls.
My blood ran cold.
I knew that sound.
I’d heard it before.
My eyes moved upward. To the sign hanging above the entrance we’d just co through.
The letters were huge. Glowing. Impossible to miss.
**THE PIT.**
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