LOGINI can hardly believe it. Before my friends can say anything else, I squeal and throw my arms around them both, jumping up and down. Liam and Brian and the twins are the one major thing I’ve missed dearly since leaving Bo’Arrocan, and to find that they’re finally considering living in Ordan full time
“On schedule, believe it or not,” I reply. “The Bo’Arrocan branch is finally running smoothly, and the Ordan location just graduated its first class of seniors. Six of them got full scholarships to prestigious art schools.”“That’s amazing, Iris.” Alice squeezes my arm. “You’ve created something tru
IrisFive Years Later…“Fifty years of marriage, and they still make each other laugh like that,” Arthur says, appearing at my side with two glasses of champagne. He hands me one and clinks his against it, and we watch as my parents twirl on the lawn, my mom throwing her head back at something my fa
“Gee. Thanks,” I manage to laugh weakly. “I’ll see you all next week.”“You most certainly will not,” Arthur, Hunter, and Alice all say in unison, making me roll my eyes.Outside, Arthur’s car is waiting, parked haphazardly half on the curb. He must have driven like a maniac to get here so quickly f
IrisEight months later…“And that’s why the colors on this side of the color wheel are considered ‘cool’ colors,” I explain to the class of children sitting in a semicircle around me. “They remind us of water, ice, and the sky.”I’m demonstrating on a large color wheel chart when a sharp pain rips
And through it all, Augustine’s breathing grows slower, shallower.Then, quietly and calmly, she goes.Her hand turns limp in mine. The steady beeping of the heart monitor flatlines. The doctor steps forward, checks for a pulse, then shakes her head.“Time of death, 10:47 AM,” she says quietly.I br
IrisArthur blinks at me once, twice, and then a third time just for good measure before he says, “You really want to bring lawyers into this?”I fold my arms indignantly. “You’re the one who decided to bring arrest into it. And don’t even get me started on taking a DNA sample from my son without my
“Next!” the security officer calls out.“Miles, buddy, it’s our turn,” I say gently, holding out my hand. “Come on, let’s take our shoes off. Remember how much fun you had last time we did this? Getting to walk through the big scanner?”Miles suddenly stops, his big eyes turning as wide as saucers a
IrisI’m frozen as the car barrels toward me. Frozen in space, time, body. The driver is slamming on the brakes, the air filling with the sound of tires screeching, but there isn’t enough time for the car to stop before it hits me.All I can do is wait, bracing myself for impact. And all I can think
“I did it because I love your work,” he says calmly. “Iris, sit down. You’re drawing unwanted attention.”I scoff, refusing to sit. “Fuck your attention. And I’m calling bullshit, because if you even understood the nature of my work, you would have known better than to use your wealth and status as







