so carefree. She glowed. She was still nervous about me going to the Academy, but the pressing fear of discovery she’d carried with her for so long wasn’t weighing her down.
Although I knew she could tell something was wrong, as she kept studying my face, she didn’t press me. I felt if I didn’t talk about it, maybe things would go back to normal. But I didn’t know which normalcy I wanted. Normal before Jace had kissed me? Or normal before I’d met Reese? My life was better because of Reese. I owed him more than anything for what he’d taught me. But I’d known Jace forever. He’d protected me against bullies in elementary school. He’d been there through everything. Everything except the one moment I’d needed someone the most—the change.
But he couldn’t have been there for that. Not without me admitting who, what I was.
I slammed another box onto the foyer floor. I wanted my brain to stop. On my way back to my room, I passed my communicator. I stared at the blank analog screen. No messages. I’d held it all night after sending Reese numerous messages—waiting, praying he’d send one back. Tell me everything would be fine. For some reason, I needed his reassurance. What a crappy girlfriend I was. I’d been the one to hurt him, and I wanted him to make me feel better.
Later that evening, Mom made my favorite dinner: pot roast and potatoes. It was the best comfort food, though not even her double-layer chocolate cake could fill the void tearing into the pit of my stomach. I went to bed that night—my communicator tucked under my pillow—trying desperately to fall asleep. Somehow, I managed.
I awoke bright and early Monday morning to an overcast sky. Mom helped me cart my two loaded-down boxes onto the Academy steam shuttle. It would be one of the only times I rode it. Once going to the Academy—once leaving. My world was about to change…again.
The triplets weren’t on the shuttle. Their dad, being a Council member, had alternate transportation. I watched Haven pass with trepidation in my heart. I was excited to begin a new chapter in my life—especially since I could disguise my power—but I was anxious about seeing Reese and Jace.
I stared through the fogged window, downhearted. I still hadn’t figured out what to say to Jace. But deep inside, I knew what I had to do: not be with either. It was the only logical choice that wouldn’t hurt either one any further.
We hovered up to the Academy grounds. The three-story stone building stood looming over downtown Haven. It was set back against the forest, the boundary of the town, behind an eight-foot high wrought iron gate. Steam puffed from the gate’s hinges as it squeaked open.
I’d never set foot in the Academy before. Not even for a tour, the way humans did before they went off to a boarding school or college. I didn’t know if the Academy operated on steam or Charge. I wondered if the Council had hidden or removed anything Shythe powered before allowing the Narcos to enter. I shook the thought from my head. Jace’s paranoia was still toying with my mind.
Although I felt safe, I couldn’t help wishing I’d been able to bring my Charge Dagger. I’d left it hidden under my mattress. I rubbed my foot against my ankle, where it usually lay.
As we exited the steam shuttle, faculty members greeted us, helping load our luggage and boxes onto motorized carting devices. I shook hands with a Shythe man named Mr. Liam, who was going to be my chemistry teacher. He didn’t look very much older than me, and he wore circular copper-rimmed glasses and an innocent, boyish smile. His messy, reddish-brown hair was cropped short, and stubble sprinkled his fair skin along his jaw.
I walked along the cobbled walkway toward the Academy, staring up at its many coned rooftops. It looked like an updated version of a gothic castle—dark and ominous—something straight out of a horror novel. I shivered. Humans knew it was an academy, but a very prestigious one that only allowed a small number in. I wondered how many angry parents had tried to bribe the headmaster into accepting their kids.
The thick mahogany doors parted as Mr. Liam led me into the lobby. My mouth hung agape as I noticed Kythan walking around in their shifted forms. I glanced at Mr. Liam, who was smiling at me but remained in his human form.
“We have