Under fluorescent lights.
In anatomy lab.
“On Rowan Greaves.”
fifteen
Olivia clears her throat.
The sound is small, but it lands like a weight. She steps behind the podium at the front ofOmega Nu Epsilon, shoulders squared like she’s holding something that wants to crush her.
Normally, I hate these meetings. They steal time I can’t afford to lose, especially when they’re not on our usual Sunday slot. A Friday afternoon meeting means something went wrong.
My muscles still ache from last night. Deep, animal soreness. And my mind hasn’t caught up with the fact that Ellis is gone.
Or why Apollo saved me.
Heat crawls up my neck at the memory. I shove it away. I don’t have room for that yet.
My cheeks burn thinking about coming in front of him…and all thoseBetas.
“It’s with pride,” Olivia says, voice steady, “and a veryheavy heart that I bring you the Greek Games announcement.”
The room quiets. The kind that presses in on your ears.
“This was meant to be a victory speech. And it is.Omega Nu Epsilontook first at Thriller Thursday.” She pauses. “But it’s hollow.”
My stomach tightens.
“Ellison Williams, one of our sophomores, was hurt last night…and she perished from her injuries.”
The girls gasp, at least the ones who didn’t know. It scrapes through the room, grating against my nerves. Even worse? Half the room cranes their necks to watch my reaction.
What are you all staring at, bitches?I want to scream. But I bite my tongue.
Hurt.
That’s the word we’re using.
My chest aches as I lift it for a deep breath. Olivia and I discussed it and decided to keep the details to ourselves. She and I know what happened. But the final pathology report will come later.
I need to find Rowan.
“There’s also a bittersweet note.” Olivia glances down at her papers, then back up. “Things were dire last night. Neck and neck withIota. Until the final moments.”
Her gaze finds me.
“One sister broke through. Alone. At great personal cost.” Her voice softens. “The Thursday Triumph award goes to Scout Lee Turner.”
The applause sounds sad. Or maybe I’m projecting it. I stand because it’s expected and walk forward on legs thatfeel borrowed. The weight of Ellis being gone hits like a truck, and I sob, reaching for my other friend.
Olivia holds me and rubs my back, letting me grieve. “I got you,” she whispers.
I blink back the rest of my tears and swipe my nose. She presses the glass trophy into my hands. It’s cold. Heavy.
“It’s not much,” she murmurs. “But if you need?—”
“No,” I say quietly. “I don’t.”