“Mercy,” I say suddenly. “Can she come?”
Gray sighs. “Unless you want to explain it to Ender—no.”
“Can my friends come?” I ask.
“You want me to wrangle you more day passes?” he asks.
“It would make me very, very happy.”
He shakes his head with a reluctant smile.
“You do know how to twist my arm.”
I know he said we can’t bring Mercy along, but I refuse to celebrate our birthday without her. It wouldn’t feel right.
Besides, I have an idea. One that I’m certain Grayson won’t like.
I packed a few dresses on the off chance we’d manage to sneak out of the Forge for a night of debauchery. It was wishful thinking since only the Gifted were granted day passes to leave the grounds, while the Commons were not afforded the luxury.
“You look hot,” Sora whistles, leaning against her bunk.
“You’re one to talk.”
She’s wearing a slinky black dress that suits her. Rei stands in the corner in a pair of leather pants and a corset that makes her breasts look otherworldly. She looks beautifully dangerous.
I went with a blood-red dress that stops just below my ass. My hair spills down my back, and my lips are painted the same shade as my dress.
Gray waits outside the building, the engine idling low. He’s leaning against the truck with his arms crossed, but the moment he sees me, his posture straightens. His gaze drags down my legs. Flint is already in the front seat.
“Behave,” I warn.
Grayson lets out a short bark of laughter, eyes glimmering. “No promises.”
We settle into the car. I wait until we’re on the road to speak. I lean between the seats, staring at Grayson. I poke his ear.
“We need to make a pit stop.”
“For what?”
“We need to grab my sister,” I say. “I’m not celebrating without her.”
Gray exhales hard.
“That was not the plan. We’renotbreaking into the Commandant’s heavily fortified residence to kidnap his wife.”
“But it’s my birthday,” I say, pouting. “And she would make me very happy. Come on, Gray. Don’t be a spoilsport.”
“She has a point,” Rei adds. “Itisher birthday.”
“And think about the story,” Flint says eagerly. “How many people can say they broke into Ender Vale’s house and lived to tell the tale?”
“I could get demoted,” Gray mutters. “My father will kill me if we’re caught.”
“I’ll sweet-talk Sullivan,” I promise. “I always do.”
Gray studies our faces, four against one; he’s outnumbered, and he knows it. He sighs loudly and dramatically.
“Fine,” he says gruffly.
