“I need to speak to her,” Grayson says. “It won’t take long.”
“Visitation hours are—” Ender begins.
“We heard you the first time,” I say impatiently. “We’ll keep it quick.”
Ender folds his arm across his chest. He’s not wearing his jacket, only a black, snug shirt that highlights his broad chest and reveals his arm tattoos, swirls of black ink twist around his flesh. I wait for him to walk away and give us some space, but he remains rooted to the floor. Seconds pass, and it becomes increasingly clear that he doesn’t intend to leave us unsupervised.
I’m not sure why there is so much hostility between them. An altercation likely occurred during the rescue mission that rubbed them both the wrong way.
I grab Grayson’s arm and drag him a few feet away. Boots thud behind us, and when I glance over my shoulder, Ender is closer. He pauses, folding his arms behind his back and staring disinterestedly at the ceiling,pretendinglike he isn’t stalking us.
“What is wrong with him?” Grayson whispers. I’m sure with Ender’s sharp hearing, he doesn’t miss a word.
“I don’t know,” I respond. “He’s always up my ass and is insanely suspicious about me. I wouldn’t be surprised to find out he watches the cameras in my bedroom.”
“There are cameras in your bedroom?” Grayson asks, brows furrowing in concern. “Why are you in Block A. It’s restricted to high-level officers. I had to call my father to get me temporary access for the day.”
“I can’t exactly speak about it.”
“Speak about what?” Grayson asks.
From his confusion, it is clear he doesn’t know about Ender’s elite unit, Black Star. He’d flip out if he learned I was training alongside a bunch of Gifted and that I signed a contract that said I could die during the program.
Ender is right there, so I can’t speak a word.
“Are you involved in something dangerous?” he asks. “I can help you.”
“No.” I shake my head. “I’m fine. Enough about me, how have you been?”
I touch his jaw, feeling the rough prickle of hair. Grayson always spoke about growing a beard, saying that it would “make him look distinguished.”
“Facial hair growth? I didn’t know you were capable of this.”
Grayson flicks my nose.
“You like it that much, huh?” he teases.
“No,” I protest. “You look like your dad.”
Grayson winces. “You’re foul for that.”
I giggle.
A throat clears loudly, and our heads snap back. We almost forgot Ender was still here. He doesn’t seem pleased by our conversation. Grayson is so easy-going, I have to assume Ender is to blame for this feud.
“I don’t have all day,” Ender bites out. “Come on, Warrick.”
“But we’re not doing anything together,” I say. “My schedule is clear until later tonight.”
“Now.”
I sigh when he takes a menacing step forward.
“Bye, Gray,” I say.
I wrap my arms around him, and he bends down to whisper in my ear.
“I’ll come find you when I can,” he says.
