towel tighter around me. That one word held the weight of all my emotions. He wanted to meet with me. Too many scenarios flooded my mind at once. If he was truly a part of the Narcolym guard, there could be an ambush waiting for me. I shook the thought from my head. This was Reese. He’d allowed us to escape last night. Whatever his part, or whatever he’d kept from me, I’d decide what to believe after I gave him a chance to explain.
That last thought rubbed against the sore wound in my heart. He’d never allowed me a chance to explain about Jace. But, I wasn’t going to pay him back just out of spite. There was too much at risk to hold a grudge. I hit send on my communicator, agreeing to meet with him and asking where.
Not a minute passed before he responded: Mathematics. Ten minutes.
Class rooms were probably the best place for privacy. Everyone was either off campus or someplace else on the Academy grounds. No one would be in class on a Saturday. But I still wanted to be cautious. I preferred to meet him somewhere off grounds. Although, I didn’t want to be gone for that long, either. Jace or Lana might worry.
I thought about leaving Lana a note, but decided I wouldn’t be longer than half an hour. She was still in the bathroom cleaning up. The girl took long showers. She might not even be out by the time I was back.
Tossing my towel across the bed, I headed to my drawer. I threw on a pair of leather breeches and a black peasant top. Then I quickly pulled a brush through my hair and tied it back away from my face. I pushed my communicator into my back pocket and hurried out of the room. The halls were eerily quiet. It was the first time I’d been at the Academy on a weekend. Either the silence was bothering me or I was paranoid after the night I’d had. It felt as if someone was watching me around every corner.
I rapped on the door to Mathematics just in case my math teacher, Ms. Harvey, was there for whatever reason. The door opened, and I met Reese’s fire red eyes. He ushered me inside the room, and I glanced around. We were alone. So far, no ambush.
Walking toward the far corner of the room, I moved slowly. Then I turned, and pressing my backside against a desk, I placed my palms on top of it, holding myself up. I felt I needed the extra support.
Reese eyed me, moving closer. “What the hell was that last night?” He laced his arms over his chest once he was a few feet away from me.
I shook my head. “Oh, no no no. I get to ask the first question.”
“Fine.” He ground his jaw.
“What was that getup?” I raised my eyebrows. “You didn’t think to tell me you were in the Narcolym Guard before?”
Reese’s eyes flashed. “I was just recently recruited.” He took a step closer. “Now tell me what all that was last night. What were you doing on the Council’s airship?”
“No. I’m not done yet. Why would they ask you to join and guard their ship right after a crazy announcement like that? Wouldn’t they want more experienced guards?” I watched his eyes, waiting to see them fade or deepen. Trying to gauge his emotions.
“I guess they liked my skills in our training course.” His eyes held their fevered glow. “It was my first night on watch. Lucky thing, too. Those guards were ready to sound the alarm.” He shook his head. “I somehow convinced them you’d just broken in, that I’d seen you, and we’d chased you off before anything was stolen.” He took another step closer to me. “Now, what did you take?”
I hung my head. “Nothing.”
“Bullshit, Dez!” He threw his hand in the air. “I risked a lot last night allowing you and Jace to escape. They’re still searching for you, by the way. So don’t think you’re off. But I want whatever it is you stole.”
I honestly didn’t think the scroll mattered. It had nothing to do with the Shythe or Narco plans, and besides, it wasn’t as if we had actually stolen anything. We’d put the scroll back.
“Nothing,” I said. “We didn’t steal anything. I’m sure once the Council goes through their inventory, they’ll discover nothing’s missing.” I leaned on my hands, trying to support my shaky legs.
Reese breathed