“I’d be careful with that one. She seems to be hiding something.” Miss Lee looked down her pointed nose as she tilted her chin up. “Take warning.”
“Shouldn’t all women come with a warning label?” I laughed, hiding behind the truth of her statement. Selenewashiding something, and I wasn’t about to share what that was. Miss Lee was an old, sweet lady, and she was very knowledgeable. I wasn’t surprised she suspected something even though Selene didn’t have a strong scent or multiple scents of each element.
“Just be careful. Enjoy your night.” Miss Lee nodded and walked away.
I glanced at the cups that annoyingly lacked handles. Getting them to the table without magic wouldn’t be possible.
“Can I help with those?” David walked up next to me.
“Please.” I nodded, thankful for his offer. I had doubted his character, but he was always friendly. Still, something about him bothered me. It wasn’t that he didn’t say anything about himself. I didn’t, either. But something bugged me.
We brought the drinks back to the table.
“Aww! Thanks, Ender and David!” April beamed at the sight of the drinks and reached for two of them, handing one to Vivian.
The blaring music and everyone’s conversations started to pound against my eardrums, urging me to seek quiet. On top of all the decorations and that fact that the gym rarely held this many students at once, it was overwhelming. The impulse to leave was strong, but what I really found myself desiring was to be alone with Selene.
It didn’t take long for Sydney to convince everyone—everyone but Selene, David, and me—to go dance. I had asked Selene to join me for one slow song, but there was no persuading her.
“Do this many students always attend?” David asked.
“This is my first time attending.”
“It is?” Selene’s gaze drifted from the dance floor to me and I nodded.
“It is very cool.” David glanced up at the snow that fell from the dark ceiling.
“Have you been to anything like this at your old school?” Selene asked David.
He shook his head. “I didn’t get the option to attend something like this.”
I didn’t ask questions, not wanting to overstep. Selene didn’t comment either. We all had our background, and that story was ours to share if we wanted to.
“I don’t bite.” David smiled. “Whenever I mention something about my past, everyone goes quiet.” He paused before asking, “Can I confide something with you both?”
We nodded and David leaned across the table. “I know you’ve heard the rumors about me, specifically the one where I may have offed my parents. I’m actually here because the council sent me. I was deprived of any training during my childhood and was a fire mage orphan—not because I did something to my parents, but because I never knew them. The council believed Fives Academy would be the best location for me because of this. Head Trainer Murphy meets with me multiple times a week. These gloves are enchanted to help contain my magic so I don’t accidentally burn things.”
“The council made you wear enchanted gloves?” Selene’s brows knitted together.
“Yes.” He shrugged. “It was a part of my agreement.”
“That’s rude,” Selene said and I agreed. The gloves were almost like nullifying cuffs.
“It’s truly fine.” He waved his gloves in the air for emphasis. “They provide a sense of security, and I don’t mind them. They also add fuel to the rumors—apparently.”
“Couldn’t they have made ones that weren’t leather? They sent you to a school where it’s usually hot and sunny,” I said.
“They could have given me snow mittens.” He laughed and held out his covered hand, catching a snowflake.
“Touché.” I took a sip of my punch. “I hope that your training helps. Trainer Murphy is excellent.”
He nodded. Maybe that was what bugged me about David. He was friends with Selene. Could he be a potential danger to her if his gloves came off?
Chapter Twenty
Ender
Thebassofthemusic beat through the gym as students danced. It felt like hours had passed by, but one glance at the clock told me I was wrong.
