“Now, where would you girls be going after curfew?”
Relief spreads through me when I see Grayson’s familiar face. It could have been so much worse.
“We’re lost,” Sora blurts.
Grayson raises a brow.
I don’t think she knows that Gray and I are friends. I snicker as he tilts his head to the side in an ‘are you kidding me?’ look.
“We’re going to a party,” I say. “Want to come?”
He keeps the serious expression for three more minutes before his lips curve into a smile.
“I could use a drink,” he says. “Ender has us all on these stupid rotations. The rebels aren’t foolish enough to attack the Forge.”
Sora’s eyes widen, surprised that he is not punishing us.
“Gray is a family friend,” I explain.
Grayson elbows me. “I had my tongue down your throat before, that hardly classifies me as just a ‘family friend’.”
Rei snorts, and Sora giggles.
Grayson guides us through the thicket, keeping us safe from the roaming enforcers. He leads us up to the exit door. Music thrums low, vibrating from an old speaker as we step onto the roof. Bodies are pressed together as the recruits unwind for the night, dancing lazily in each other's arms. There are couches stacked in the corner and several beer barrels scattered around, along with old glass cups likely stolen from the kitchens.
“Looks like we have trespassers,” Bronn drawls from a dark corner, smoke curling from his mouth.
His eyes are sharp and mocking. I haven’t seen him in a while. I wonder if he knows that his old friends are training to join Black Star while he wasn’t chosen. Aric sits in the middle, and Rigel is to his left.
I don’t know how they are enjoying themselves after what happened to Tyson. I’ve spent the past few days visiting Spider, and each time I passed Tyson’s door, his weeping cries would reach me, and my heart ached for him. The boys didn’t visit him; instead losing themselves in their strength-training and combat lessons.
“None of that,” Grayson says sternly. “The girls are with me.”
Aric looks like he wants to say something back, but he knows Grayson outranks him. He is a soldier, not a recruit, and the son of the lieutenant. They seethe, and I smirk at them as I head to the table and pour a cup of gin. I usually avoid drinking, but tonight, I want to let loose.
So much has happened during the past few weeks, and the stress of it all threatens to drag me under. Every night, I wonder if my bedroom doors will be pulled open and enforcers will march inside, dragging me to my fate.
There is so much risk involved with my role that it feels like only a matter of time until it all comes crashing down around me.
Grayson raises his cup in cheers. Sora and Rei drift away to give us privacy, approaching a group of boys. I can feel Grayson’s eyes locked on the side of my face.
“I’ve asked to remain in the Forge, but Ender is pushing to have me assigned to Division Five,” Grayson says. “I can’t stand him.”
I feel an inkling of guilt. I can’t help but feel like this is all my fault.
“Same,” I say.
“How are things with him and Mercy?” he asks. “He seemed attached to her during the engagement.”
“He knew it was me,” I say, taking another hearty sip of alcohol to burn away the memory of that night. “He knew all along.”
“What?” Grayson asks, confused. “How?”
I shrug. “He’s smart.”
Grayson curses under his breath.
“He is obsessed with you, Vee,” he says. “It frightens me.”
