Page 53 of Veiled

“Well, I definitely need to head to the library now.” I groan. “Not one, or two, but three classes that I am abhorrent at is not a reality I can simply accept and expect to survive the next ten years of service.”

“I wish I could help, but I have my shift at the infirmary,” Sasha says, but I know she's been looking forward to it all week.

“Have fun!” I call after her, before Matt and I walk to the castle.

“Safe to assume you still haven’t heard from your dad?” I ask him once Sasha’s out of earshot.

Matt’s answering laugh is almost too cheerful. “Nah, not that I’m surprised. He didn’t believe me any of the times I told him what your dad was doing to you. Could I really expect him to believe me when I said that his idol was lying on the stand when he claimed we were robbing him so we could afford to elope?”

“Never mind that he had just caught you messing around with Liz in the back of your pickup a week before.” I laugh. “A dumbass and a drunkard. It’s scary to think our dads are in charge of keeping South Hollow safe.”

“Right?” he says with mock seriousness. “Truly inspiring leadership.”

His phone buzzes, and a grin spreads across his face—mischievous and guilty all at once.

“Do you need me to come study with you? Or can I meet up with you tonight?” He asks while smiling devilishly down at his phone.

“Spill it, who is she and what did she say?”

“Who’s who?” Matt feigns innocence.

“Oh, I don’t know. Whatever girl is currently asking to rendezvous with you,” I sing-song.

“Rendezvous, really, Lee?” he snorts. “And she didn’t say anything. But the way she’s bent—”

“La, la, la, la, la, I can’t hear you! I’m leaving now!”

I can still hear him laughing as I stalk off toward the library.

Chapter twenty

Annalise

The last few days have been the best.

We were able to put the plans we’ve been working on in Strategy class to the test with a spelled 3D modeling system unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. It felt like watching a movie, but with our decisions at the helm, using the maps and plans we created.

Matt had seriously thought of everything—there were contingencies upon contingencies for every possible mock-attack. It was impressive and intimidating that anyone’s mind can think through all of those variables.

The Environmental Tactics simulations were even fun. We got to simulate white-water rafting on a river that’s only about an hour from here. The goal was to scout for ideal camp locations based on the terrain and vegetation that we learned about last week. Luckily, the simulation was based in the summer, so the temperatures made it feel like a vacation away from the quickly dropping temperatures in real life.

Sunday, our group, including Antonio and James, went into the city to pick up our lab supplies and check out the cute weekend pop-up market downtown. Vendors were selling everything under the sun: Honey, caviar, clothes, books, you name it, they probably had it.

Sasha and I ooo’d and aww’d over some dogs in the animal adoption booth after the owner let us come in and cuddle all of their faces. If pets weren’t forbidden at Scion, I would have brought the sweetest, saggy-faced pup I named Droopy back with me. I don’t know what breed he was, but James was adamant Droopy would be too big for me to hide for long. Party pooper.

We tried food at almost every food stand, and by the time we got back, we were all too full to even consider eating dinner.

My run was as peaceful as the weekend, and I even saw a couple of dragons flying in the distance when I was out toward the riding grounds. No riders in sight, I imagined them enjoying the stillness up there the way I do down here.

Knocking on Sasha’s door for formation, I expect her usual sleepiness to greet me, but she’s up and humming as she ties her hair back and grabs her bag.

“What has you so happy?”

“What? I’m always this happy,” she says too quickly.

“Uh huh. So it wouldn’t have anything to do with the hand touching and ‘fuck-me’ eyes between you and Antonio all day yesterday?”

She spins, her mouth opening in shock, eyes wide. “We were NOT giving, uhm, those types of eyes!” She protests, but the blush spreading across her cheeks makes it obvious I hit the nail on the head.