“What’d he say?” Marcus questioned.
I frowned. “He called me a limp biscuit.”
“I thought it was just an insult,” Marcus said. “What does it mean?”
I groaned. “Ancestors, I’mnotexplaining that. Let’s just say you don’t want to go searching for the definition on the library computers. You’ll regret it.”
“Will it ruin my innocence?”
“Yes, you poor, sweet soul.”
“Then we best stick with studying your magic,” Marcus said.
That was all Icoulddo, because I was supposed to protect the Elves. If Uriel had known how to use his magic, he could’ve defended himself from being taken ancestors knew where.
It was too late to save him, but maybe we could still save the others.
That is, as long as there weren’t any other murders at the prison. But with how deadly the Institute was, I knew the Elves were in danger. I had to master my Elf powers— and fast.
CHAPTERFOUR
AVA-MARIE
Why are you bothering with this, Ava?
Wouldn’t it just be easier if it was all over with?
Aren’t you tired of fighting?
I brushed back a lock of my hair as I entered the Villain's Den. It was early afternoon, when most people were at lunch, but I’d signed into the cafeteria and left immediately after without getting anything. I wanted to be alone at all points of the day, and lunch was the only time the recreation room was ever empty. I passed the crappy television mounted to the wall, where the supernatural news station was covering a story from Malovia.
“Tensions are high between the fae and the vampires,” the reporter stated. “Since the former treaty expired late this summer, negotiations between the two races are developing. It appears that the Midnighters are asking for more than the standard agreement from the Arcanea, which King Ethan is refusing to honor. Rumors abound that the fae are hiding the mysterious Elves within their borders, although there is no evidence to imply…”
I ignored the news broadcast and sat down at a table to do my homework. I’d blown off all my classes last semester, but I immersed myself in them now. They were my only distraction. I was doing extra projects just to keep my mind off things.
I knew the telltale swishing of Ivy’s skirt before he sat down next to me. That familiar ache of loneliness was abated as I felt him grow near.
“Sweetheart!” Ivy exclaimed as he placed a takeout box from the cafeteria on the table. He reached out to give me a hug. “Oh, howareyou? I haven’t seen you in what feels like ages.”
“Hi, Ivy.” I was so surprised he wanted to see me. I thought he’d forgotten all about me. I squeezed him back so tight— even tighter than I wanted to— and didn’t let go for a long time.
“Babe, I’ve got so much to tell you. We need totalk,” Ivy emphasized, his thick Italian accent smacking with the words. He picked up the takeout box. “Oh, I grabbed lunch from the cafeteria, but I didn’t realize it’s pad thai, and I don’t like it. But it’syourfavorite, isn’t it, Ava? Do you want it?”
Ivy shoved the takeout box into my hands.
“Okay… sure.” I flipped open the lid, and the smell of peanut butter and cashews hit my nose. My stomach grumbled, and I nibbled on a couple of rice noodles as Ivy chattered on.
“My summer wasso boring.They had me sorting and packing noxite every day in the factory.” Ivy made a gagging sound before he lit up. “But Chance… by Atlantis, I can’t stop thinking about him. I don’t think we spent a moment apart, save for when we had to work. And maybe…”
Ivy bit his lip, and I said, “He’s been sneaking out at night?”
Ivy gave a shrug. “Kinda. I don’t know what he’s doing, but his business is his business. I try not to pry.”
So Ivy still didn’t know about the fight club. That was so wrong. Chancey needed to stop lying to him. I knew Ivy hung out in the prison yard when Charlie and Chancey worked out. I wondered what excuse Chancey had given him.
“But what about you?” Ivy asked. “You must’ve been pretty busy, seeing as how we haven’t talked in forever.”
His tone was genuine, but guilt still overpowered my senses. “I’m sorry I didn’t see you,” I said. “I was caught up in anthropology stuff.”
