A biting wind comforted me in my solitude. I’d gotten so lost that I was on one of the covered, open-air sky bridges. The pillar sat in shadow, and I dropped my head into my hands. Nothing made sense. Could he have drowned? If he had, why not tell us? And why would the others not remember him at all?
Images of shifting shadows and blood flashed behind my closed lids.Was I crazy?I was beginning to think you’d have to be crazy to come to a place like this. But I’d never done something like this before. Conjuring an entire person? I laughed at the absurdity of it, tears falling down my cheeks.
“Everything alright?”
A voice, deep and smooth like dark chocolate, but gentle like a mist.
My head snapped up.
He was a few feet away. Dark hair fell loosely across his forehead, his dark gray eyes watching me with a hint of concern from behind dark lashes. His features were gently angled as if he’d been chiseled from stone, shadow brushing his cheekbones.
When he saw me, a flicker of surprise flashed across his features, his eyes focused on mine a moment longer than seemed casual, but it vanished as quickly as it came.
“Um, yes,” I blurted, wiping my cheeks quickly. “I’m sorry. Am I not supposed to be here?”
I risked another glance and regretted it instantly. Of course he had to be beautiful. It should’ve been illegal for men thisbeautiful to sneak up on you. Especially in a hallway that was public and clearly where confused young women found suitable places to cry.
I tried to think of anything that would clog the waterworks. Chickens. Bananas. Chickens eating bananas, B-A-N-A-N-A-S.
There.
Slipping into a fixed expression of composure, I looked up.
This man wasn’t only attractive, he was impeccably dressed. Tall and lean, he wore a slate shirt with a collar unbuttoned at the throat, and a black vest traced with red thread. An intricately designed raven was embroidered on the upper right side.
“Oh no, it is fine. You looked like you might need some help,” he said, running his hand through his hair and glancing behind us like he was uncomfortable. Perhaps he didn’t want to be seen with me. His accent reminded me of Roslyn’s—was he from the same place?
“I was looking for Commander Everson,” I said, quickly.
“Oh,” he said with a hint of disappointment. “He has probably retired for the evening, but if I can do anything, I would be happy to help.”
I frowned. I couldn’t exactly launch into how everyone had forgotten about Cody, and I might be losing my mind. Not to this guy. I’d have to wait for Everson.
“I could use some help getting to my dorm,” I admitted, realizing I had no idea where I was.
Pity flashed in his eyes, and he smiled, small and quick, like it didn’t come easily to him. “Sure. You are one of the new Initiates, then? I can take you there. Come on.”
He held his hand out for me, slowly, like he was unsure about it. My cheeks grew warm as I took it, feeling guilty for holding up his evening. Warmth flooded my hand when he helped me to my feet, static shocking me when I let go. I stared at my feetin disbelief. What was that? How did I let someone find me like this, and on top of that, someone like this guy.
I sighed internally. That spark, though. It was odd. He was attractive and making me a little nervous, but that wasn’t what was odd about it. This feeling was different—it wasn’t only within me, it was everywhere. When I glanced at him, his jaw was tight, and his eyes darker than before. He’d felt it too.
It thrummed like earlier—subtle, but there, like a slight ringing in your ear. It’d been growing stronger ever since the tasks began, but now I could feel it.
“Come on,” he said, his voice low. “I will show you the wing where the dorms are.”
I stared at the raven on his vest as we walked.
“What does the raven mean?” I asked.
“It’s a symbol of my allegiance,” he said.
I raised an eyebrow. “Allegiance?”
“It represents a faction—there are several,” he said. “You will start to see more than just the raven as you spend more time here.
“So, your allegiance lies with a raven?” I asked, my nervousness making me braver than I felt.
A scowl set in features. “It most certainly does not.”
