Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

Hearing this, Yvonne just stared at Susanna, completely speechless.

Seriously, could someone please explain what goes on in Susanna's head? Move an entire mountain? Did she think she was some kind of American folk hero, like Paul Bunyan or something?

And besides, that mountain wasn't blocking anyone's way. Why waste the effort?

Yvonne rolled her eyes. "If you've got that much muscle, why did Star need to call me to chew you out?"

"Seriously—if you're that strong, who at Black Gate could give you trouble?"

Susanna blinked. "Wait... that actually makes sense."

"So what am I supposed to do about the mountain?" she asked, still confused. "If I'm not moving it, then what?"

Yvonne gave her a look-the kind you give someone when you start to wonder if they left their brain at home. She'd thought anyone who could be friends with Star had to be sharp. Clearly, she'd been wrong.

"We're going to get across," Yvonne said. "No tools, just swim over and then climb up from there."

Susanna's jaw dropped. "Swim over? Without tools? That's way too far! What if there are sharks?"

Ever since she'd seen that whale a few days ago, Susanna had developed a serious fear of the ocean. It was deep, dark, and full of things with teeth.

Yvonne just grinned. "Sharks? So what?"

"Yeah, sharks!" Susanna shuddered, remembering the cold dread in her stomach. Sharks were terrifying. People died to sharks.

Yvonne's smile widened mischievously. "Then... kill it."

Susanna gaped. "Excuse me?! You expect me to kill a shark? More like the shark's going to eat me!"

"Scared?" Yvonne asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Can I choose not to be brave?"

But before Susanna could protest any further, Yvonne just shoved her off the dock and into the cold, salty water. Susanna surfaced, spluttering and feeling utterly doomed.

"As we left Cybele Island," Yvonne said, not missing a beat, "two groups came ashore. One of them was your brother Dan's people."

Susanna spit out a mouthful of seawater. "He's not my brother. I've told you a million times—I'm an only child. My mom only had me."

Yvonne shrugged. "Whatever. Point is, they're here to kill you."

Susanna went quiet. The danger suddenly felt all too real, like she was caught in the eye of a storm.

"Time's ticking, Susanna. Get going."

With a resigned sigh, Susanna started paddling toward the island. From here, it looked close, but the cold water bit into her skin, and the salt stung her eyes. For someone who'd spent her life pampered and sheltered, this was pure torture.

Back on shore, Chloe dragged a lounge chair over for Yvonne, who sat down as someone handed her a glass of champagne.

Chloe glanced out at Susanna, a glimmer of a smile on her lips. "She's already less afraid than before."

"Her body's getting stronger," Yvonne agreed, "but her brain could use some toughening up."

Chloe looked startled. "How do you even do that? Some things just can't be fixed."

"When she gets back, ask if she knows anything about computers."

Chloe nodded, understanding what Yvonne was getting at. Heading to Black Gate was dangerous-and Susanna's real opponent was going to be someone from the Mumay family.

"Mr. Miguel sent Lincoln to Black Gate," Chloe said after a moment, glancing at Yvonne.

Yvonne raised an eyebrow. "Looking for Lacey?"

Chloe nodded. "Yep."

Yvonne laughed. "Well, that settles it. Once Susanna leaves here, she and Dan are officially enemies."

Susanna's place in Hull's heart was

anything but ordinary. With Lincoln headed to Black Gate, there was no

doubt that Dan's move to Cybele Island-and even his motives were already known to Hull.

And every time Dan was mentioned, Chloe couldn't help but feel Yvonne wasnoveldrama

getting the short end of the stick.