“With the Council’s permission, I would like to have custody of Zizi until the situation calls for a different solution. Captain Surin Woo and I will vouch for his safety, but I alone will take full responsibility of his actions during this time.”
Lowering his eyes, Ash bowed like he was asking for permission. But Rui caught the satisfaction in his expression. He had the Council eating out of the palm of his hand.
Surin didn’t look happy about being dragged into Ash’s scheme, but she inclined her head.
“If the Head of the Council has no objections?” the Councilwoman said.
The shadow of Song Wei replied, “None.”
“In that case, consider this matter closed for now. Keep us informed of any new developments. You are all dismissed.”
The screens flickered, turning black.
Ash swiveled around to face Rui, Zizi, and Yiran. All three stared back, expressions varying from suspicion to disgust to anticipation.
He clasped his hands together. “Ah, my precious little ducklings, it’s time to bring you back to the nest.”
40
Rui
An inauspicious chill in the air heralded an early winter. As light receded, an ominous pall fell over the city, and the days were getting darker by four.
Clusters of Revenants popped up all over town. Even though the Exorcists were dispatchingmostof them, Rui knew the Hybrids were the real issue. The public was still kept in the dark about their existence, but the news headlines shifted in tone, questioning the aptitude of the Exorcists, demanding answers for the spike in victims.
Back at the Academy, the old rumor about Hybrids resurfaced, only this time, the whispers in the hallways were taken more seriously. Whenever Rui was within earshot of a conversation, she’d bite her tongue, turn away, pretending she knew nothing. The secrets inside her festered, a different kind of infection.
She stared out at the sun setting over the horizon of water now, as she sat on the bench by her favorite spot on campus. Waiting. Restless, she picked up a pebble and flung it into the sea. It made a sad plop, and she felt worse. She wondered if it was because this place reminded her of her encounter with Ten.
Her own hubris had resulted in their deal. Thinking she could do anything; thinking she could do everything by herself. But she was still no closer to finding Four or taking her revenge. And she was still without magic.
Rui stared at her hands, clenching and unclenching them. She’d tried to channel her magic time and again. But no matter how hard she pushed, she came up with nothing. None of that strange blue fire either. She was still damaged.
Maybe something worse than damaged.
The sound of familiar footsteps turned her head. Rui looked up at the tall boy who was bundled in a thick gray hoodie and leather jacket.
“Hey,” said Yiran, turning his cashmere baseball cap around.
“Heard anything new?” Rui asked immediately. They’d taken to meeting here, sometimes sitting together in silence, sometimes talking about anything and everything. Maybe the empathic link had something to do with it, or maybe it was because they shared both history and secrets, but his presence made her feel less alone and their connection felt stronger than ever.
“Nothing much,” Yiran replied. “They’re increasing the frequency of Night Hunts again, and there’s some talk about recruiting cadets for missions.”
Rui bit her lip. “Anything about him?”
“Only what we already know. He’s been on Hunts, but they’re still mostly having him assist the healers. He hasn’t called you yet?”
She shook her head. She wasn’t counting on it. “I think they took his phone away,” she said. “The number’s been disconnected.”
Yiran removed his cap, running his fingers over the fabric. “Look, Rui. Zizi made a choice. He decided to protect us. Just... respect that. He wouldn’t want you to worry.”
“No one asked him to protect us,” she said, stubborn.
Yiran shrugged. “I don’t see the point in being angry with him.”
But Rui wasn’t only angry with Zizi for striking the bargain with the Guild Council alone, she was mad at herself for standing by and letting him make that sacrifice. “You don’t understand how much he hates the Guild,” she said. “He must be miserable right now, working for them and being ordered around by Exorcists.”
Yiran looked like he was about to argue, but he shrugged again and put his cap back on. “The wizard can take care of himself.” He took Rui’s hand and pulled her up from the bench. “Come on, I want to show you something—a surprise. But first, I’ll buy you a mint-chocolate ice cream cone.”
