It had been less than twenty-four hours since I was expelled from the Underworld Detection Agency, and though I wanted to be haughty and over it, I felt a profound sense of longing, as if I had been evicted from my childhood home. I attempted to convince myself that what I was missing was the free and unlimited access to Post-it notes when the doors slid open. Nina was slumped against the back wall, her shoulders sloped. Her usually pouty pink lips were pulled downward in a full-on frown so severe that even her eyelashes seemed to sag a little. “Neens, what’s wrong? You look like a pitiful little puppy.” She blinked up at me when I spoke and brightened slightly, stepping out of the elevator. “I’ve been looking all over for you.” “Didn’t you hear? I’ve been banned.” Nina’s eyebrows rose a minute amount. “Banned?” “I’m surprised Sampson didn’t tell you.” Nina crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Sampson shouldn’t have to tell me, Soph, you’re my roommate and my best friend.
