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planted a kiss on my cheek. Though his lips barely touched my skin, it stung so hot and sharp I felt like I’d been branded.
    In a flash, he disappeared, leaving me standing alone on that stone patio, in the center of a circle of fire. The sounds of cheers and noisemakers wafted from the party. Dazed, I rubbed at my aching arm, bringing it back to life after being in his death grip. I shook myself out and leapt over that low flame, running, until I found my way out of the maze, up those steps, and back inside to the safety of so many strangers.

4. Boom
    I didn’t stop running until I had made it all the way back to the great hall, where the sound of applause fluttered out from the ballroom to the end notes of “Auld Lang Syne.” It didn’t occur to my legs to stop moving until I felt myself slam right into someone’s chest, my face landing flush against his white cotton dress shirt. His arm latched on to mine. Around us, party guests flowed from the direction of the ballroom, chattering spiritedly, wishing one another a Happy New Year as music cued up. I righted myself, murmuring an apology. My hand flew to my angel-wing necklace for comfort.
    “Haven! Whoa! Just the girl I was looking for,” Connor said, laughing. “This is your roommate, Sabine. Sabine, Haven.”
    “Hi! So great to finally meet you!” The raven-haired girl with delicate features threw her arms around me. She wore a simple black slipdress and heels that made her my height.
    “Hi.” I tried to sound normal. “Great to meet you too. I—”
    Connor seemed to spot someone across the way. “Hey, man!” he said over my shoulder, with a big wave, then looked at the two of us again. “Have fun. Happy New Year. I’ll catch you guys later, okay?”
    “See you later!” Sabine said. I just smiled. I was still catching my breath and struggling to regulate my heartbeat. I wanted to sit down, or lie down, or just disappear and forget about the Prince and Lucian and whatever else might be coming for me.
    “He’s totally hot, right?” Sabine whispered conspiratorially, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
    “Definitely not a bad-looking guy.” I had to smile.
    “Have you seen some of the other RAs? Eeek. Trolls. No, that’s terrible. Bad Sabine.” She shook her head, scanning the crowd as she sipped from her hurricane. “But, let’s just say . . . we’re lucky.”
    “Agreed.” I chuckled. “No complaints here for sure. So . . . how were the beignets?” I worked hard to manufacture a tone far sunnier than I felt. “Thanks for your note and all. By the time I got in, it was late so I figured . . . But that was so nice of you—”
    “Omigod, don’t worry about it. But they were to die for.” She grabbed my forearm to drive home the point. “I have to go back. We’ll have to go tomorrow. Or maybe they’re still open later tonight—Café Du Monde, do you know it?” Sabine seemed a little like a flirtatious, female Dante. She possessed a warmth I appreciated, especially at that moment. She was petite like me, but with jet-black hair, porcelain skin, and a willowy frame. I felt more athletic these days, stronger, though I don’t know if I looked to others as hearty as I felt in my skin. And, of course, right now, I was feeling more than a little fragile and powerless and . . . scared. I tried to lose myself in simple conversation.
    “I don’t know it. It’s my first time in New Orleans.”
    “Anyway, they were amazing. So you’re from Chicago? I love it there, my—” she launched in, but was quickly interrupted.
    “Hey, there you are. What happened to you?” Lance asked, appearing at my side.
    “We’ve been looking for you, like, everywhere!” Dante said. He downed the last of his drink. I wanted to send them messages with my eyes, but there was no way to communicate what I had just been through.
    “Oh, hey, yeah, so this is Sabine, my roommate,” I said, ignoring Lance’s question. I made the introductions and