she held for him. And to my surprise, she left the room.
Confusion spread through me quickly, and then so did panic.
“Is she… is she coming back?” I asked as calmly as I could manage. “We were supposed to discuss something.”
The man’s smile spread slowly.
“I’m aware,” he informed me. “In fact, your special request to leave Sanluuk is precisely the reason I’m here.”
When my eyes narrowed with suspicion, he laughed a bit.
“Forgive me for being rude. I haven’t introduced myself.” His large hand was aimed at me now. “I’m Makana Sigo, Presiding Chief of Sanluuk,” he revealed. “I believe you’ve met my son, Kai.”
A flutter inside my chest when he said that name caught me off guard. Studying the man’s features, I definitely saw the resemblance.
“I have,” I shared, “and I’m pleased to meet you, Sir, but I still don’t understand why you’re here.”
Leaning back in his seat, he didn’t seem surprised by that.
“Well, when Alma—or, Ms. Long, as you call her—alerted me that you’ve requested to cut your time here short, I was concerned and thought it might be best if I make the trip here myself to speak with you. Perhaps there’s something I can say or do to change your mind.”
Was it standard for him—the freakin’ chief of this whole island—to show such interest in students who considered withdrawing? That seemed like a very tedious event to concern someone of his status.
“I’m pretty firm in this decision,” I shared, still not understanding. “This appointment is basically just a formality. I need to know what the proper procedure is to withdraw from next term’s courses, and how to arrange my trip home.”
Chief Sigo clasped his hands on Ms. Long’s desk, staring. Kai’s resemblance to this man grew stronger as the seconds wore on, except there was a gentleness within Kai that wasn’t present in his father.
“Noelle, as you know, an exception was made inviting you here. You haven’t shifted yet, so you’re technically not quite of age to attend, but with how you exceled during training, it seemed fair.”
“Because I earned it … Sir,” I reminded him. Respectfully, of course.
His lips had been parted to speak when I interjected. He broke up the serious vibe the conversation had taken on with a forced smile.
“Yes,” he agreed. “You certainly earned your spot. I only mean to point out that it won’t look good if you—a student some believed ought to wait until a later term to attend—decided to drop out.”
I winced at that term—drop out. It sounded like I was quitting because I couldn’t cut it here, but that wasn’t true. I’d done well in all my classes this term, it was just my personal issues that had gotten in the way.
Lowering my gaze to my lap, I didn’t speak.
“Ms. Long explained that you’ve expressed concerns regarding how things will go once you transition.”
I only nodded, not feeling much like talking anymore as I fought off the strong sense of regret that still lingered from his use of that phrase.
“May I ask what brought you to this conclusion?”
My gaze flickered toward him again. Had he really not heard about the incident at the Pinning Ritual? That seemed like the sort of thing that would have gotten around.
Or, maybe he just didn’t care all that much about the day-to-day details of the island.
“It’s just for the best,” I concluded, not wanting to hash out the details again.
There was silence in the room as the man who oversaw this island observed me with scrutiny I didn’t quite understand.
“An exception was made for you, Noelle,” he reiterated, “which is why I must inform you that your request to leave has been denied.”
My brow creased when disbelief hit me hard, fast, and heavy. Did he just say that my request had been denied?
Immediately, I thought of my father, how quickly he would be here if I could get in touch with him, reiterating what Chief Sigo had just told me. That was one man who’d get what he wanted one way or another—especially when it came to his family. It went without saying that he’d have me off this island in the blink of an eye.
Regardless of the Chief’s declaration.
But then I was reminded that communicating off the island was terribly difficult, because they’d made it a point to remain secluded. As it stood, I’d only been able to make two calls home from the main building, which meant it was all controlled.
“Please don’t be upset,” Chief Sigo pleaded, oozing what I believed to