Ari POV

The table went silent, murmurs and whispers filling the room, the sound level rising like the ocean in a storm. To my right, Hyperion was frozen, staring at the red liquid in his cup. To my left, Aalto looked around the table, a panicked look on her face. Of course, she was panicked; she could see the tainted cup.

You can't make poison without water, can you?

She scanned the table, eyes faintly glowing through the tears that threatened to break through. A tear fell, splashing silently onto her plate as she looked at me. The table was silent, everyone's breath hung in the air.

"Ar-"

She didn't even get to finish her sentence. Her voice cut off, bright blue eyes widening in fear.

"Now, now, Aalto. Let's keep our tongue, shall we? Wouldn't want to spoil the fun for everyone else?"

Aalto glared, her light blue eyes twinkling with the dying candlelight. She blinked, turning back to her plate with the iciest stare. Her jaw tightened, breaths slow and steady. She looked like she would- and could- snap someone's neck with no hesitation. It was dangerous to make her angry, but dangerous in the way a storm on the ocean is. Beautifully violent.

"And now we wait..." Aeron mumbled under his breath. I glared up at her. It was like fae didn't even care that someone was maybe moments away from dying.

"So, you're just fine with the fact one of us is about to die?" I said. I didn't mean for it so be so mean, but I guess it came off that way because I saw Pri flinch back slightly.

Aeron's fists clenched on the pearly white table cloth, their green eyes narrowing. "I've seen too much death, I can't be expected to react to all of them, now, can I?"

I shook my head, looking around at everyone else. Their eyes were darting between me and Aeron. "I doubt you've seen more death than any of us. Anyway, that gives you no excuse to be so apathetic."

Hyperion looked like his eyes were about to burst out of his head from laughter he was holding back. Darcy too, was fighting to stop himself from smiling. I guess it was something I wasn't in on.

"Oh, death and I are old friends, we've danced together so much." Aeron spat.

"Well, I guess you're here because you're longing to dance with them some more, aren't you."

Hyperion offered Darcy and Tsuki some popcorn, which they gladly accepted. Aeron stood up, slamming his hand down on the table. I copied her action.

"You know nothing about what I did to get here, do you? You're here because you wanted for nothing, I'm here because I lost everything." Her eyes flashed with tears. Whether they were of anger or sadness, I may never know.

"Uhm... guys..."

"Oh, if you lost everything, Mr Sob Story, then why don't you just fuck off. Go live your perfect life with Archaeology over there and leave the rest of us to clean up the mess you caused." I shot back.

"I don't feel so good-"

I watched in horror as Pri collapsed, blood trickling from the corner of her lips. She fell into Aeron, who stared in fear.

My gaze shot to Evangeline, who watched as the group pf emperors shot up and went to aid Pri. A soft smile carved its way onto her lips. She had that glint in her eyes thR I had seen so often in those who wanted pain and suffering.

"Well, this is fun." She smiled.

Aeron was still frozen, staring at the person who lay dying in her hands. Hyperion was shaking them. Darcy slapping their face. They stayed immovable.

Tsuki whipped out a book, flicking through it before landing on a page. "Look. 'The creator, artist, lover of the ocean will die in nature's arms. The last breath stolen by the darkness, professing to she who they love.' Guess we found the artist."

Pri looked up, smiling, despite their body convulsing in agony. Blood bubbled at the corner of their mouth. "H-hey."

My sword was in my hand as I looked over. Alfie stood by my side, the only one, beside me, out of us 8 who hadn't gone to Pri's side. We stood half way between them and Evangeline.

"A-Aalto..." their voice was dangerously quiet. Darcy had stopped slapping Aeron, Tsuki was flipping through another tome, this one purple bound with a wooden cover.

"Yeah?" Aalto's voice wavered. She looked up at me, tears in her eyes. Even crying, she still looked beautiful.

"I... I love you..."

Pri smiled, before her head turned away, body falling limp and eyes empty. Aalto looked empty, lips slightly parted.

Aeron shook himself, realising what had just happened. "Well..."

She lay Pri's body down, closing the eyelids for a final time. "...shit just hit the fan."

I knew what they meant. It was a code.

I rushed to Evangeline, catching her off guard. I swung my sword towards her and hit it against her arm. Lucky her, it was armoured.

"Darc, Peri." Aeron grabbed their arms, dragging them out. Caspian shouted Aeron's name but fae didn't hear.

She was too busy running.

I think they've always been running.

(Well, shit just hit the fan.)