Cassie studied her bookshelf, eyes narrowed in thought. The old history book about the first signs of Radiant activity in America? Nah, not right for the occasion. The realistic fiction novel with a hint of mystery? She didn’t know if they would like that type of book. The fantasy of dragons? No...
That’s it! Her hand latched onto The Art of War, pulling it from the shelf. This copy was new, not like the worn one she’d bought from a library sale, which slanted over on her desk. She’d been given it a few years back, and it was one of those things where you didn’t want to say you already had it, so you just smiled politely, left it in your room, and never touched it again. Perfect.
She heard people walk inside downstairs and froze momentarily. They’re here! Moving quickly, she plopped the book in a glittery gift bag she’d picked up earlier, then stuffed pink tissue paper all around it. Cassie grabbed the bag and headed down.
“Hey!” she said excitedly when she reached the gathering, trying to show only happiness, as if she hadn’t been told she was the murderer of her own spren hours earlier, as if yesterday hadn’t been the most disastrous prom night to ever occur. “Congrats, you guys! This is so awesome. Here, this is for you two.” Hoping her grin wasn’t too much, she held out the sparkling bag to Ax, thanking the stars that gift bags weren’t hard to throw together last-minute.
@Sherlock Holmes @everyone else