I’m opening the door to the Armory when I notice the elderly gardener working outside, near one of the six greenhouses. He has helpers, but I know the college’s steady supply of fruits and vegetables comes from his labors. Professor MacTavish walks up to him, they speak for a moment and the professor offers his hand, nodding his head respectfully. The gardener reluctantly takes his hand, shaking it gently.
That’s so sweet that MacTavish is courteous to everyone, it says a lot about his character. I’m smiling as I head into class.
“Okay, I compiled a list of all the new students,” I said, getting more comfortable in my nest of pillows. Tatiana, Lucca, that asshole Konstantin, Jun, and Meiying are all crowded into our common room. “Twenty of the incoming freshmen never made it to the island, either killed outright or seriously injured, like Ronan’s cousins, and the Board of Regents approved twelve students from the waiting list to take their places. None of themare from families you’d recognize, except for Ansel Müller from the Müller Syndicate in Berlin.”
“What about upperclassmen,” Meiying said, “have there been any new people accepted midway through the program? Maybe some special cases?”
“There’s two that I’ve tracked down,” Lucca said, “Hwan Jeong, his father is the head of one of the lesser-known Korean Jopok. He’s been placed in the Assassins division and Matt Carlson, his father is a captain in a small U.S. mob based in the Southwest. He’s in the Spy group.”
“Is there anything that ties the newcomers together?” Konstantin asked, “Any alliance that links them?”
“Not that I could see,” I said, refusing to look at him. “I think it’s worth sending to our people on the outside, I’m sure they can see patterns we can’t.”
“Agreed,” said Jun, sauntering over to our mini fridge. “You have anything good to drink?”
“Well, he held out for a full five minutes before he started guzzling the contents of your liquor cabinet,” Meiying sighed. Jun is, in fact, pouring a glass of the very expensive vodka my brother Yuri gave me for my birthday.
“You lush!” Tati said, “Anyway, is everyone else in agreement?” There are various noises of assent before everyone moves fast to get a glass of vodka before Jun drinks it all.
Konstantin…
“Have you discovered any other irregularities?”
I’m speaking to my father, also known as The Angel of Death, even though he can’t see me, my posture is ramrod straight. “No, sir. Just the names I sent you. Some of the new students are struggling here, but none of them seem to be gathering or showing any kind of connection that seems suspicious.”
There’s a moment of silence, and he chuckles. “Son, you can call meOtets, Father, you know. None of the men are listening. It’s just you and me on this call.”
“Of course,Otets,” I run my hand through my hair, smiling a little. “How is Mother?”
“Chasing after your little sisters and your brother, as usual,” he says, his voice warming as it always does when he speaks of her. “And how istvoy predpolagayemyy, your intended?”
My eyes narrow, that familiar feeling of irritation with Mariya battling with acute unresolved sexual tension taking over my brain. “Mariya is well,Otets.”
“Nothing has changed then,” he said with a tone of amusement warring with impatience. “How much longer do you intend to fight with her instead of building a relationship leading to your marriage?”
“She is a tiny demon waif!” I snarl before remembering who I’m talking to. “Truly, I am trying to be patient, she’s just…”
“I am sure, my son, that you have been nothing but a perfect gentleman and a deeply understanding fiancé?”
I’m so fucked, he put my mother on the call.“Mat',Mother! It is a pleasure to hear your voice,” I lie.
“Mm-hmm…” she says, clearly amused. “I was eager to hear about you and Mariya. Are you spending time together, getting to know her?”
The phone in my hand is slippery with sweat.“Mat',I would of course do anything you suggest-”
“Of course,” she says, her glee is obvious.
“But I have known her since she was a child, and to be completely honest-”
“Here it comes,” she says to my father.
“To be completely honest, she still acts like one,” I finish.
“You did not think she acted like a child on the train, did you?”Mat’ sayscooly, and the phone slips out of my hand.
Oh, fuck. They know. If my parents know, then Maksim, Mariya’s brother might know. And if he knows, he is going to shoot me in the face the minute I step off the plane this summer. He might already be waiting outside the gates of the Ares Academy with an AR-15.
“My son, we want your union to be a happy one,” she says, her voice a little softer. “Do not make the mistake of taking a big step in your relationship without the other things that matter. Like treating her like a lady. Spending time together. Perhaps even holding a full conversation without fighting with her.”
