“No way,” Marcus said immediately. “I’d betanythingthe Warden has the phone lines tapped. I won’t put my family at risk by contacting them. Chances are, you’ve already put us in danger by telling your dad.”
“I was careful with my words,” Ava assured us. “I didn’t tell him anything the Warden doesn’t already know— didn’t mention demigods or anything. Daddy gave me strict instructions that until he finds proof, I can’t stir the pot. We have to stay put until my parents figure out how to prove what the Warden is doing here, so they can get us out.”
“I’m not talking to my dad,” Kallie said with a huff. “I can get out by myself, withouthishelp.”
“Kallie, this is more important than a personal grudge with your family,” I growled. Having a king on our side would sure help us right now, but Kallie refused to talk to him.
“We can’t stay put!” Kallie burst. “That puts us at risk.”
“If we try to break out, we’ll be caught!” Ava argued. “Thatputs us at risk even more. Think about it. Which kids are disappearing? Which ones don’t have family who care enough to ask where they’ve gone?”
It hit me immediately. “The kids in Cellblock 9.”
“Exactly,” Ava stated. “I bet thereisno Cellblock 9. It must be a code for the experiments.”
I thought of all the people I’d seen being dragged away to Cellblock 9, never to be heard of again. I should’ve felt bad for getting Digger sent there, but I didn’t— not after the way he treated Ava.
“If we get caught trying to escape, they’ll take us straight to Cellblock 9, and experiment on us,” Ava pointed out. “It’s too risky.”
“Fuck, you’re right,” Marcus groaned.
“Whatever experiments they’re doing there will expose us as demigods,” Ava added.
Marcus scoffed and joked, “I guess I’m safe then.”
The three of us gave a collective sigh. Even Rishi, who sat in Marcus’ lap, growled.
“You know that’s a lie, man,” I said.
“I admit I did some stuff above my pay grade during the Darke Games, but I’m not as powerful as any of you,” Marcus argued. “I did that stuff to survive. I can’t replicate it now.”
“You’re only shit at magic because you think you are,” Kallie told him, obviously annoyed he didn’t see his own potential.
“You have power from all five of your coven’s Casts,” Ava reminded Marcus. “Ofcourseyou’re a demigod. The Warden probably suspects it, too.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s why you ended up here in the first place,” I added.
“I ended up here because—” Marcus started, but I cut him off.
“We all know the story,” I said. “We also know it was an accident, and that it happened within your own coven. They could’ve sentenced you within their own criminal justice system, but they didn’t. They sent youhere, because they’re afraid of you and wanted you far away from Octavia Falls. I bet the Warden wanted you here, after he learned what you did.”
“It’s not even a question,” Ava said. “The Warden told me during the Villain’s Ball that he’s watching us. He already suspects something after our performance in the Darke Games. The last thing we want to do is confirm his suspicions. That means no showing off in class, too.”
Marcus gulped. “What do you think he wants a demigod for?”
“He practically told me he’s looking for Forevermore,” Ava said. “We know the portal was made for demigods. He needs one to lead him to the city.”
“And there’snothingwe can do?” Kallie asked.
“I told you, my dad’s working on it, but I have no idea how long it’ll take him to find proof,” Ava replied. “The Warden isverysmart. All we can do is stay alive until Daddy figures something out, or until our sentence is up.”
“This is fucked up,” Kallie huffed.
My hands curled into fists. “You can say that again.”
“I’m with Ava,” Marcus piped up. “I want to stay here, where it’s safer.”
“Of course you do, you big chicken,” Kallie grumbled.
