It’s been a long eight months since I last saw Gray. There is so much we need to talk about.
Ender watches Grayson with a murderous gleam in his eyes.
It isn’t until the doors finally seal shut that he vanishes down the corridor.
Why the hell did he make it seem like he was taking me somewhere?
I will never understand that man.
There is a bouquet of white lilies on my desk when I enter my bedroom. I pick up the small white card and snort.
Sorry, you got kidnapped. But I’m afraid you still have to attend morning training tomorrow.
Love Spider
Spider has grown on me like a bad rash. I found him unbearable at first, mainly because he attacked me out of nowhere, but I understand he was testing me for this place. He wanted to make sure I would survive.
A knock sounds on my door, and I unlock it, surprised to find Rei and Flint standing outside.
“We heard what happened, and we wanted to check on you,” Flint says.
I glance at Rei suspiciously.
“Can we come in?” Flint asks.
Rei hovers awkwardly by the door. Part of me can’t help but wonder why she’s here. We are allies on the field, but that hardly makes us friends. I doubt we can be anything more than cordial after what she put me through during my first few weeks here.
I step aside for them to enter. Flint takes the chair near the desk, and Rei sits at the edge of my bed. Even with her shaved head, she still looks beautiful and fearsome. It’s quite annoying that she can look so good with all her hair shorn off.
“What happened?” Flint asks.
“Rebels targeted me to get to the High General, and Knox came along for the ride,” I say. “Ender and the others came torescue me. It’s a good thing I was with Knox, or Vale might not have bothered showing up.”
“Knox was priority one, apparently,” Flint admits. “But he’s known him longer. They are the closest in their unit.”
“Makes sense,” I say. “I wouldn’t expect him to stick his neck out for me.”
“Isn’t he your brother-in-law?” Rei asks.
I shrug. “He’s not the familial kind. Barely tolerates my sister.”
“Training wasn’t the same without you,” Flint says. “Spider put us through the worst obstacle course when he got back. Broke a couple of arms and a few ribs.”
“Of course he did,” I said. “He’s a little psychotic.”
“A little?” Rei asks. “He’s certifiable.”
I snort, and a small smile crosses her face.
We spend the next few hours sitting over a board game that Flint smuggled into the Forge. Our personal belongings were searched upon our arrival, and only those deemed necessary were accepted into the military facility. I’m surprised Flint got away with this, but I’m not complaining. It’s nice to do something normal for once.
Flint wins five times in a row—twice against me and the rest against Rei—before Rei ends up scattering the pieces in anger, which makes me double over in laughter. I’m annoyed that he keeps winning, but her temper definitely beats mine.
Poor Flint.
“You both are sore losers,” he mumbles, collecting the game pieces from under my bed.
“Let’s play another game next time,” I recommend, for his sake. “Before Rei kills you.”
