"Huh. I could have sworn I saw a shoelace trailing behind you," Ariana said, lifting a shoulder as he picked up his tray. "Maybe it was one of the other waiters."
"I'll keep an eye out," he said in a friendly way. "Enjoy the party, miss."
221
"Thanks. I definitely will," she replied.
Especially if you go where I'm hoping you'll go right now, she added silently.
Sure enough, the waiter hooked a left and headed toward Tahira and her friends. A few people grabbed canapes from his tray along the way, but there were plenty left when Tahira reached up to select one from the tray.
"There are no peanuts in this, right?" Ariana heard her ask, just as she'd been doing all night. "Because I am deathly allergic."
"No, miss. No peanuts," the waiter replied.
Ariana was surprised by the lump that formed in her throat as Tahira brought the hors d'oeuvre to her lips.
This has to happen, she told herself. It's the only way. She threatened you. Threatened to expose you. And once she's gone, you, Kaitlynn, and Brigit will all sail through and into Stone and Grave. This is the only way to protect yourself and to make sure Kaitlynn gets everything she wants.
Tahira popped the canape into the gaping maw of her mouth and crunched down. Almost instantly, her eyes widened and her hand went to her throat.
"Tahira? What is it? Are you choking?" Zuri cried.
Tahira shook her head wildly. Her hair tumbled free from its updo as she shoved her bag at Rob. "Pen . . . EpiPen."
The people around them started to back away in fear and disgust, forming a small circle of open floor around the trio. Ariana endeavored to swallow but found that she couldn't. She could hardly watch this, but she also found that she couldn't look away.
222
"Oh, shit. She ate peanut," Rob said, fumbling into her bag. He pawed through it as Tahira lurched forward, bent over at the waist. "It's not here!"
Tahira's eyes bulged. Clearly, she could no longer speak. People in the crowd were murmuring, alarmed. Ariana heard someone ask for a doctor. No one moved.
"What?" Zuri cried, clinging to her friend's arm. "It has to be! She always has it!"
"You think I don't know that?" Rob dropped to his knees and dumped the purse out on the floor. "It's not here!"
Tahira's knees hit the floor and Zuri let out a strangled cry.
Ariana closed her eyes and turned her head, her throat tightening. What was wrong with her? This had to happen. Why was she being so dramatic?
"Omigod! Help!" Zuri screamed. "We need a doctor! Someone help!"
Ariana took a breath. It was always difficult to watch someone die. Even those people who deserved it. Of course she was upset.
But this was necessary. They had all been necessary.
"Please! Please, help her!" Zuri cried, tears streaming down her face as Tahira choked and gasped. "Call nine--one--one!"
Finally, a few people shoved through the crowd. A wiry gentleman with white hair raced forward and grabbed Tahira's wrist, checking her pulse. Ariana held her breath. She found she didn't know what to hope for.
"An allergic reaction?" he asked.
"Do something! She can't breathe!" Zuri cried.
"She needs an EpiPen," Rob said, getting up from the floor. "Does
223