It's long after midnight when the party finally starts winding down, although Iliya has little doubt that his classmates could keep it going until daybreak, if they were so motivated. Iliya enjoys parties but isn't nearly so energetic, and the hour finds him sitting by the poolside, trousers rolled up and bare feet dangling in the water. He holds a half-full cup of something sweet and vodka-heavy in his hands.

Cameron will find him sooner or later. Iliya isn't in any rush to leave, and anyway, he monopolized enough of Cameron's time yesterday.