The one time they decide to not off the person who scored last—there’s no justice left in this cruel world.
Drex nudged me with his elbow and grinned. I tried to give him a thumbs-up, but I couldn’t get my hands to cooperate, so I held up three bent, trembling fingers.
We both grimaced.
“You all have two hours to study, until nightfall,” Augustus snapped, scowling at where Drex was touching me with his elbow.
“As you know,” he continued, “as a reward for surviving this far, you get a taste of what Sparta has to offer. A symposium is held monthly at the Dolomite Coliseum. So we’ll be attending tonight after your study session.”
Didn’t they say there would be food there? Bless up.Tears of relief filled my eyes as my empty stomach cramped painfully.
The room erupted in whispers of excitement.
“SILENCE,” General Cleandro roared.
You could hear a pin drop.
Augustus narrowed his dark eyes at me, then smiled at the rest of the room. “You will return to this academy by dawn tomorrow morning. Then you only have one more day of class before you see your mentors.”
Shoulders slumped.
“But if you don’t make it back by dawn,” Augustus warned, “then you’ll be a presumed defector, and I’ve been ordered to personally hunt you down and eliminate you.”
Well, that escalated quickly.
Also—tempting.
Should I take the second option?
“All right. Good work, everyone.” He clapped his hands. “Go study.”
Groaning, bones creaking and joints popping, the seven of us slowly ambled to our feet.
Gravity was a cruel mistress.
General Cleandro left the room, muttering something about using the shitter. I wasn’t exactly sure, and frankly, I didn’t want to know.
“Alexis—stay back in the classroom,” Augustus called, smile slipping off his face. “I’d like to have a word with you.”
I closed my eyes and swallowed a scream of frustration. The warmth of the library was so close.
Great, he’s going to kill me.
“Yes, P-Professor,” I whispered, face warming with embarrassment as the other initiates left and I walked over to the blackboard. Something about stuttering in front of Augustus made me feel like the biggest fool.
Poco chittered, perched on his shoulder, an obese floof of gray and black.I hope Fluffy Jr. is doing okay.
I stared at the racoon as I waited for Augustus to speak, too much of a coward to make eye contact.
“Look at me,” he ordered, smooth voice deepening into a snarl.
My head snapped up.
Soulless black eyes narrowed threateningly and held my gaze. The scar across his cheek was an angry shade of red.
I struggled to breathe under his intense scrutiny.
The scent of ozone and electricity filled the air, sharp enough to sting but warm enough to be slightly intoxicating.
