“Nobody did,” Eddie said calmly. “Please stop acting like you have to go at this alone.”
“I’m not alone,” I argued. “I have you.”
“And others! The Elves are here to help you. If we just had a little instruction, then maybe our powers would grow strong enough to save everyone. Someone like you, Charlie.”
I paused for a moment to digest his suggestion. “You want me to teach the Elves how to use their powers?”
“Yes,” Eddie said. “You’re more powerful than any of us. This war was always going to lead to a revolution, and we need you and your friends to lead it.”
I knew what he meant without him saying it. We neededdemigods. It was part of the prophecy.
Hell, I hadn’t spoken to Kallie or Marcus since we left Forevermore, either. We weren’t friends anymore— none of us were. I didn’t know if they’d help Eddie and me save the Elves.
Ancestors, I’d beenso lonelysince the summer had begun. I hadn’t said a word to any of my old friends— not Ez, Opal, Ivy, any of them. I didn’t even talk to Chancey, and he was in fight club with me, for ancestors’ sake. The thought of speaking to any of them again was soul-crushing. I just wanted to be left alone, to deal with this hurt.
But Eddie was right. We hadn’t gotten anywhere on our own, and if we didn’t do something soon, the Elves would die, and the rest of us wouldn’t be far behind. My ex-friends were the only ones who would help us.
I couldn’t open the Elven gate on the island without them, anyway. Ava, Kallie, and Marcus all had a key— the Elementai, fae, and witch keys that would help open up the portal to heaven. Though who knew if they’d actuallywantto give them to me, after the destruction we’d caused last semester?
It didn’t matter. If I wanted to save the Elves, I had to get the Villain’s Club back together— no matter how much it hurt.
Even worse… I’d have to face Ava again.
I’d spent an entire summer feeling nothing, but once I spoke to Ava, I was certain every emotion I’d ever had about her would come rushing back, and I’d be helpless to stop it.
Forget the Warden. I was sure that facing Ava was going to be the end of me.
CHAPTERTWO
AVA-MARIE
Iwas really going to miss this program. It was the only distraction I’d had all summer that had made my life worthwhile.
I sighed as I woefully put away the anthropology textbooks Professor Hemlock had pulled out this morning, restacking them in rows along her classroom shelves. It was the last day of my summer internship, and I’d made it through the course. I was officially enrolled in the Institute’s Anthropology major now, and it’d been hard work to pass— though I’d been grateful for every moment of it, because the tough academia was the only thing that distracted me from the ache in my heart.
Most inmates at the Institute worked full-time in their Work-Study courses all summer, until it was time to go back to regular courses in the fall. I’d gotten lucky by enrolling as Hemlock’s personal intern last semester, so I didn’t have to go work in the prison’s factory like most of the inmates did. I’d learned so much from her about ancient supernatural societies. We’d spent day and night going over artifacts, old discoveries, and magical history. I’d endured a rigorous set of exams and papers, appreciating the one-on-one time with Hemlock and absorbing her knowledge.
But now it was all over. And there was nothing left to distract me from the pain that was quaking me from the inside out.
I heard a scuffle in the hallway. I glanced out the open classroom door. My heart twisted as I saw an Elvish girl being harassed by one of the guards. He pushed her down and pulled her hair, taunting her about her ears.
I wanted to step in, but the Elvish girl ran off. The guard stared after her with a satisfied smirk before walking in the other direction.
I forced myself to go back to what I was doing. I didn’t interfere anymore… didn’t try to play the hero. I’d learned my lesson with that. It was better to do nothing at all.
At least that way, I didn’t make it worse.
The Elves were mistreated at the prison. I hoped wherever the rest of them were, they had hidden themselves so well that no one would ever find them.
We’d avoided studying the Elves during my internship. I didn’t think Hemlock wished to cover them, after I’d gone against her advice and searched for Forevermore. I knew Hemlock was disappointed in me, and there was nothing I could say to defend myself. I’d exposed Forevermore. Now the Elves were in hiding while the supernatural world argued how to find them and what to do with them. No matter which way you spun it, I was responsible for re-igniting an entire genocide, and there was no forgiveness for that.
I swung my bag over my shoulder. The strap pressed into my bone through the fabric I was wearing, making me wince. I wore multiple layers underneath my Institute sweater. I wasso cold. Food made me even more nervous than before. I couldn’t look at a plate these days without feeling nauseous. I choked down something every now and then, to keep my body running, but I rarely ate every day— and it was all too easy to skip meals while working for Hemlock, who rarely took breaks herself.
I probably looked sick as all hell, but no one had noticed, so I didn’t care, either.
I went to the prison’s mailroom to check to see if I had any mail. The only letter that had arrived was another offer fromToaqua Today, with an even bigger cash offer this time.
I scoffed and threw away the letter the moment I passed a trash can. Ever since I’d found Forevermore, all the magazines in the supernatural world were trying to contact me, to get me to do an exclusive on the Elves and what had happened.
