Spellhacke- M. K. England Page 0,56
way too tight, but other than that they’ve done a lot of good things.”
Ania says nothing, but she stares at the wall over my shoulder, nodding vaguely. Reviewing the facts and coming to the same conclusion, no doubt. When she finally snaps back to the present, she meets my eyes and nods.
“We need information,” she says. “I highly doubt they’re going to stop coming for us after one failed attempt, so we need to learn more.”
“Agreed,” Jaesin says, finally on board. “Where is MMC getting this new strain? What’s so important about it that they’d be willing to kill to keep it secret? Once we know that, we can figure out if there’s any way out of this, something we can do to get them off our backs other than just . . . disappearing to live in the middle of the ocean or something.”
He winces and braces a hand against his forehead, rubbing in small circles. “Ugh. Sorry, this is making my brain hurt.”
I shake my head. “No, I’m with you. It’s a lot to take in.”
The ensuing silence is broken only by my audibly growling stomach. I haven’t eaten since . . . wait, when did I last eat? Ania passes me her bowl of fruit with a sigh.
“So, what now?” she asks.
Remi taps their bottom lip with one finger, then . . . smiles.
“We pay a visit to Kyrkarta University.”
My heart leaps into my throat. Are they planning to accept the offer there, even though we didn’t get the money from the job? Are they really going to stay and . . . oh. No. Obviously walking into the admissions office to create a nice, easy-to-follow paper trail is a terrible idea for someone hiding from the police.
“The archives,” I say, nodding.
Remi pumps both fists in the air. “Yes, the biggest archive of maz research in the world! I can’t wait to roll around in Professor Silva’s research notes. Maybe literally. That’s how osmosis works, right?”
Jaesin and I lock eyes, and for a second, it feels like we’re about to burst into laughter together, sharing in our adoration of Remi like we always have. But at the last moment, the mirth fades from Jaesin’s eyes, and he looks away, mouth tight.
My heart sinks.
I guess bringing back vital information doesn’t exactly erase the past twelve hours. Jaesin will probably stay mad at me for a while. Ania, too. Remi, though . . .
“I think you and I should go alone,” I say to Remi. The others start to protest immediately, but I cut them off. “The university has a lot of random security patrols. The more people we take, the more obvious we’ll be. I can get us in the back way and bypass the security. Remi can look through the materials for the information we need. We’ll be quick and quiet.”
“I’ve done tons of maz-related research work, I can—” Ania begins, then trails off at the stern looks she catches from Jaesin and me.
“Remi’s been obsessed with Professor Silva’s work forever. I’m pretty sure the day his obituary hit the news feeds was the second saddest day of their life. They should be the one to go,” I say, and Remi nods with an exaggerated tragedy face.
Ania’s mouth clacks shut. She shoots one quick pleading look at Jaesin, hoping for backup, but he shakes his head. Yes. Blessing of the parents secured. Mission is a go. I turn to Remi with my hands clasped before me.
“Can I maybe shower first? Please?” I beg.
Remi looks me over head to toe, then wrinkles their nose. “Yes. You will not desecrate the late, great Professor Silva’s work with your filth. Also, please burn that shirt immediately.”
I lift one arm with its formerly flowing sleeve. It hangs stiff and heavy with grossness.
Honestly? No arguments here.
“I’ll be quick,” I say, and meet their gaze for a long beat. “Get ready to break into your dream school.”
Fourteen
ON SECOND THOUGHT, NEVER MIND. Ania was right. Pairing Remi and me up for this little side quest was a terrible idea. Sure, Jaesin or Ania would have spent the whole time being angry at me, but that I can take.
It’s the sheer, skin-crawling awkwardness that’s killing me.
Kyrkarta University is about as far away from the Cliffs as it’s possible to get without actually leaving town. Wouldn’t want those sad little orphan kids getting any ambitious ideas. It’s strange, kind of like a mini city, a district all its own. Many of the buildings are plain and