Tatiana looks even more upset than I feel. She really is the kindest, sweetest friend.
“Oddly, I feel better,” I said. “I know what I’m working with. It’s good.” I nod firmly, trying to sell it. “I’m okay. I’m going to bed.”
“Let’s talk tomorrow,” she calls after me. I force a smile before shutting my door.
In a way, once I had my realization about Konstantin, everything became easier. I still don’t talk to him. If I’m required to answer a question in Combat class, or in conversation when we’re with our friends, I do. There’s no need to continue the drama. Or the gossip. I just don’t look at him, I won’t get near him. He doesn’t own me yet.
“If you keep that ‘fuck you’ expression going, your face is going to freeze into a scowl that could make children cry.” Athena bumps my shoulder. We’re heading to the Armory for our firearms lesson. At least I have the obscenely gorgeous visage of Professor MacTavish to look forward to.
“Thank you for your kind concern,” I said sourly.
“What happens if Konstantin tragically dies in his sleep or something?” Athena asks casually, “I mean, no weapons-related tragedy, just… a pillow over his head. Do you get to be Bratva Babe in Charge?”
I’m going to hell for laughing, but I do anyway. Athena, in her harsh, sort of awful way, is attempting to cheer me up.
“I need to smile more? How’s this?” I bare my teeth at her like I’m a wolverine chasing down a rabbit.
She eyes me critically. “Less murderish.”
“Yeah, I’ll work on it,” I agree.
“So he’s still being a misogynistic prick?”
“I don’t… let’s not talk about it,” I said, walking faster.
“You wounded his fragile male ego after saving his life in front of the entire school,” she persisted, “like it would besomuch better if you left him to die so you could make sure Lucca’s team won. Plus, I'll bet he was scared shitless when he realized that you could have run into thepoútsos,the prick who tried to kill him.He’s got a lot of testosterone-based anxiety going on.”
“Where did you get your psychology degree, Dr. Dukakis?”
Athena shrugs. “I know men. Especially the stupid ‘I’m in charge’ types. I have four brothers, all of them are fools. You’ll meet the youngest, Stefanos next fall, he’s already been accepted to the Academy.” She pauses, her amused expression turning grim. “Unless someone tries to kill him first.”
“So your family believes there’s a group going after the heirs, too?” I ask.
“Too many people have been killed to not believe it,” she said. “It’s like they’re picking off the low-hanging fruit.”
“Wow, way to be blunt about it, woman!” I said.
“Yes, but I’m right,” she says unrepentantly, “the most powerful people in any of our organizations are well-guarded. But the younger siblings? The cousins, any of the constellations of relatives in any organization aren’t really protected much. How many bodyguards did you have?”
“One,” I agreed, “maybe two when the family was under a serious threat.”
“But what’s the point here?” She said, “Sure, you’re destabilizing the families a bit, but this is taking a ridiculous amount of manpower to do this. It’s not like they’re going after the titans in our industry, so to speak.”
We stand aside as three laughing freshmen, push the doors open to leave the Armory. From the ugly undertone of the laugh, I’m guessing it’s a dirty joke. Or a murder plot. This is the Academy, after all.
Their grins fade a little as Athena fixes them with her most terrifying sneer. “Move it. You’re in our way.”
They’re all big guys, but they’re not stupid. One even holds the door for us. Looking back for a minute, I notice they’re just standing there, watching us. Not smirking or leering. Just… watching. I move a little faster, catching up with Athena.
Chapter Twenty
In which Konstantin realizes that yes, he is such an asshole.
Crying on the Bathroom Floor - Muna
Konstantin…
Six weeks later and everything is bugging the shit out of me.
