Professor Dal nods. “We go over them in depth next semester.”
I look back at the scythe.I’ll take good care of it, Medea,I promise. “So it’s really mine?”
“It is,” he says. “And I suggest you familiarize yourself with it as quickly as you can.”
“Okay. I’ll find someone else to spar with.”
“I would be more than happy to train you, you know.” He steps in closer, his hands closing around my own, which are still gripping my scythe. A flame seems to spring to life inside me, heating my entire body, making me breathless once more. “You deserve the best, and now that Blaze is gone…” he takes a deep breath, his molten gaze so intense that I don’t even feel grief at the mention of Blaze’s name. “I can make you into a formidable weapon, Addy. A weapon so great and terrible that none would dare cross you.” He strokes my face again, his touch soft and gentle, but his hand is trembling a little.
“I’m not sure I want to be terrible,” I whisper, my skin prickling. The desire for him is still there, burning hot, but beneath it I feel uncomfortable. He’s staring at me with a fevered, almost fanatical look that I don’t like.
Professor Dal seems to notice my change in mood, for he quickly steps back, an understanding smile on his face. “Of course you don’t…I got a little carried away with my choice of words. Terrific would be more accurate.” He smiles proudly. “And you’re going to get the chance to show everyone how terrific you are very soon.”
“Soon?” I ask, startled. “What do you mean?”
“Yes.” He beams. “I’ve gotten special permission to take you on your first mission next week.”
17
“Are you guys still awake?” Kaia whispers in the dark.
“I am,” I reply, and roll over, pulling the blankets with me. We went to bed about an hour ago, and I thought I was the only one of my roommates still awake.
“Me too,” Gertrude says. “I can’t sleep.”
“I don’t need much sleep,” Cass says. She’s been sitting at the foot of my bed, readingLord of the Ringsfor what has to be the thousandth time. “But even I’m feeling more anxious than usual.”
“Solis.” I hold my hand out, conjuring a small yellow ball of light, giving off just enough of a glow to illuminate the room. “I keep thinking about him.”
“Me too.” Kaia’s voice is tight. “And I don’t understand how he just disappeared. He has to be—shit, I don’t even want to say it.”
“I know,” Gertrude agrees. “But if he is dead, then aren’t we in danger too?”
I shift my gaze to Cass, who’s the only person other than Maxon who knows what we do.
“I’d think so,” Kaia says quietly. “And is walking together really going to prevent us from being…I don’t even know what it is we’re being. Kidnapped? Murdered in cold blood? Shoved through a portal? All three at the same time?”
“You’d have to be shoved through the portal first,” Gertrude says matter-of-factly. “If you were murdered first, there would be nothing left to push.”
“That’s comforting,” Kaia deadpans. “Ughhh, I’m never going to be able to sleep. And then I’ll be crazy with anxiety waiting to get offed.”
Gertrude gets out of bed and pulls the bottle of whiskey from her closet. “Works better than a sleeping draft.”
“Oh, thank goodness.” Kaia sits up and swings her legs over the side of her bed, taking the bottle from Gertrude. She downs a mouthful, stops for air, then takes another swig. Coughing, she gets the water glass from the table and picks it up. “Dammit, it’s empty.”
“I filled the pitcher before bed,” I remind her, and hear the sound of her pouring water into her glass only a second later.
“Give me like one more minute for this to hit and I’ll be feeling better.”
Gertrude adds a splash to her empty water glass and sucks it down. “Want any, Addy?”
“No thanks,” I say, though I’d actually love nothing more than to down a shot or two and let the whiskey lull me to sleep. I’m tired, having used a great deal of my energy fretting today. But, like my friends, I know it’s going to be a long night.
“And now I have to pee,” Kaia sighs. “Which means you have to come with me, buddy.”
“Ugh.” Gertrude sets the bottle down. “But that means leaving Addy alone.”
“She has me,” Cass points out. “I’ll keep watch tonight if that’ll make you feel better. I can patrol the halls.”
