Chapter 21:
Author's note: For the next few chapters, let's pretend TOD didn't happen. Also, for the next three chapters, I should highlight that I planned this with a friend. So it isn't my usual style, but as a writer, it is refreshing to see a new perspective.

Dedication: Esha Sudhakar (Thanks, girl!)

Aelin adjusted the neckline of her dress, picked up her keys and didn't realize the dent in the door she made from kicking it with her heel. She was too absorbed in her thoughts. She had called for a girls night, which was meant for catching up and getting rid of all the excess testosterone. Too much boy-talk is never a good thing, otherwise one would end up like Ianthe or Chaol. What were they up to anyway? Aelin shook her head, she needed to focus on the matter at hand. Going out with only the ladies meant the boys would be stuck with each other. She crossed her fingers and hoped that nothing blew up.

But deep inside, she knew that was too much to ask for.

Aelin shut the glass door behind her. The fun, light music had her swaying her hips. Elide was already at their table, drinking a Christmas special coffee and looking like she had just committed murder. When Aelin caught Elide's eyes she took a deep breath. Aelin began approaching the table when a bowl of mint chocolates on the cashier's counter caught her eye. And she found herself walking to the joy of her life instead.

Manon didn't usually take a liking into the dreamlike, delusion air of upcoming Christmas, but this year it began to grow on her. As hard as she tried to resist it, she reluctantly began to understand the strange coming of love. She found herself humming to the joyous music.

"Hey girl," Manon slide onto a chair next to Elide.

Elide gave her a look.

Manon squinted her eyes and snatched Elide's coffee, "What?"

Elide smiled triumphantly, "For once the witch has a spell cast upon her."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"That's for you to figure out."

When was the last time Elide had spoken so freely?

"I can't figure this damn thing out!" Lorcan grumbled with frustration.

Dorian sighed. Rowan rolled his eyes. And Aedion shook his head. They all sat around Lorcan.

Rowan was beginning to realize that having all this testosterone in one room was a bad idea.

Dorian slung an arm over Lorcan's shoulder, which Lorcan immediately shrugged off, but Dorian ignored it, "What's the matter now?"

Lorcan got up and began pacing, "I don't understand, what are we?"

Aedion rolled his eyes again, "Use your words Lorcan."

Lorcan stopped and glared at Aedion, "I thought that after that date, we were a thing. Ya know, like a thing."

Rowan was beginning to find this amusing, he hadn't seen Lorcan this idiotic since the last time he was frantically looking for his phone, only to realize it was in his hand the whole time.

Aedion muttered under his breath, "Fool in love."

"So do you think you are in love?"

The girls had been teasing Elide for a half hour about this and Elide's face was on fire.

At the question, Elide repulsed, "No, are you crazy? It was just one date."

Aelin nodded her head, "True, you haven't acquired the hoodie yet. But when you do… the possibilities are endless."

"Can you imagine me, in Lorcan's hoodie?"

A laugh fluttered throughout Jitters cafe. Everyone stopped what they were doing as the door swung open, the chime of bells marking the Queen's entrance, and Lysandra walked in. Light reflected off her sequin dress stunningly and let's just say that her cat-eye liner was sharp enough to kill.

Aelin pointed to the bowl of candies on the counter. Lysandra saw what she meant, rubbed her hands, picked up the whole bowl and brought it to the coffee table. The waitress knew better than to interfere.

Elide took another deep breath to make her body calm down. It wasn't fear, it was embarrassing. She knew it was coming. Knew it since the moment she chose to go with him.

Aelin, always the one to break the ice bubbled, "Okay, we know you were on a date. But how was it?"

Immediately everyone leaned over the round table like they didn't want to miss a syllable. Elide could've sworn that people at other tables inched a little closer to her.

"I suppose it went well."

Manon leaned over. "How well?"

Elide was blushing, if it wasn't for her long hair she would've looked like Snow White, "Well, he took me on this riddle case. It was pretty fun and he looks to put together - for once."

Lysandra awed, "That's so sweet. The last date Aedion ever took me was a nightclub. And the time before that he took me to play beer pong. So romantic." Lysandra rolled her eyes.

"What about you Aelin? How are you and Rowan doing?" Elide eager to change the subject.

Aelin held her head up, "Well we are going on a date in two days. But more importantly, I have some good information on another competition."

If the attentiveness in the room could increase it would have.

"I was walking to biology when I overheard Arobynn complaining about having to wait outside for us 'peasants' until we finished swimming."

Lysandra finished, "So it is a swimming competition."

Elide interjected, "A swimming competition in the middle of March? It is windy and cold. Like 50 degrees."

Manon rolled her eyes, "Well our old man of a teacher likes to us torture so…"

Lysandra sighed and played with the menu, "I need more caffeine."

"Coffee, the drink of champions." Gavriel offered Rowan a cup. Dark, just like he wanted it.

But the drink of champions wasn't what Rowan was glad receiving.

"Gavriel! What brings you here?" Rowan opened the door wider, beckoning his presence.

Gavriel was the only one in the cadre, Rowan enjoyed being with. Gavriel - being the oldest, had always looked out for them. After all, who else would have?

Lorcan just smirked widely.

Gavriel sighed, Rowan sensed bad news.

"I think we should talk outside. Lorcan can come too. And I highly recommend taking the coffee because my hands are burning, and you will need it."

Lorcan got up, looking wary and nodding to Gavriel like he knew what was happening. Rowan gave an acknowledging look to his peers and was careful to shut the door behind him.

Lorcan didn't usually look this wary, and didn't enjoy being around Gavriel. But they were acting like best buds today.

Something was very wrong.

Review!

PS: This ties in with something I mentioned earlier.