“They’re smart, too,” Rupert says as he walks over. “The royals sent their best and brightest. Too bad so many are poised to die.”
“Way to be a downer, Ru,” I say.
“He speaks the truth,” Armin agrees. “Coming to the Academy is almost as bad as going to a death camp. Few will come out alive, regardless of what side they choose.”
I hate this negativity. I hate the fact the guys feel like they’re on the losing side. It’s probably the passivity. They were created for battle—not sitting on the sidelines. There needs to be hope, like what I feel when I’m connected to Rupert and Armin on a physical level. Or like what Miya showed me in the tea garden. There’s a way past the negativity.
I look across the room at Elizabeth, then at Darius and Luke. They deserve better.
And I think I have an idea of how I can do it.
Word passes around in a whisper, muttered from ally to ally. No one knows the true destination. The keys are how to find the entry point—not through a lock—but by warming when they reach the painting in the hall.
I get Elizabeth to help me—it’s clear she needs something fun to focus on. Together we pick out our outfits—again I slide into leather, this time a skirt—my roommate in a shimmery dress. We’re perfect opposites.
“This is perfect,” she says as we walk through the portal. “How did you find this place?”
“The Academy holds a lot of secrets,” I say. “Including some of mine. I thought this would be a good place to build a little camaraderie.”
The tavern looks the same as last time, smells the same too, a little musty and damp. I walk over to the bar, placing a bag on the counter. “This should cover it.”
The bartender pulls the string and looks inside. A small smile tugs at his lips. “Seems sufficient.”
He hands me a bottle and two glasses. I carry it over to my roommate and hand her one, filling it with warm, brown liquid. “Thank you for being such a good roommate and putting up with all my bullshit. There’s a lot.”
“As much as you think this is about you, Hildi, it’s not. We’re in this together. I made my decision a long time ago.”
I hold up the bottle and clink it with her glass. I take my drink straight from the bottle, feeling the warmth in my belly.
The first people through the doorway are students, each with a look of wonder and excitement as they cross through to the tavern.
“What is this?” Luke asks when he comes through the painting. His eyes widen as he takes in the whole room.
“An opportunity to forge bonds and get to know one another better. I also thought maybe we could use a reprieve from fighting and challenges and the administration.”
“Do you think they’ll notice we’re all missing.”
“If they’re doing their job.” I look toward the door. More students are filing in—all familiar faces from the training room. “It was a risk coming here—but that’s true for joining any alliance.” I study Luke. “Do you have any regrets?”
“Not one.”
I hand him the second glass that I’m still carrying and fill it to the top.
“Have a good time, Luke, and try to stay out of trouble.”
He grins and tips the drink back, already looking more relaxed than I’ve seen him in days.
The painting shimmers and four big men enter, instantly making the tavern look smaller. Luke jabs me with an elbow. “I think you’re the one that needs the warning to stay out of trouble.”
The familiar warm flush heats my skin. It happens every time I’m near or really, just think of the Immortals. The bond with Rupert and Armin is strong, the one with Miya grows every day. And Agis? I want to say we’re making advancements, but it’s not true. He’s a hold out—disbelieving. Yet every time I see him my lower belly tightens, and I get the feeling there’s something more.
“What’s going on here?” Armin says, resting his hand on my hip. “We got your message.”
“Clearly so did a bunch of other people,” Agis says, warily looking around.
“Because it’s a party,” I say. “And we’re more than just five or six people now. We have a whole group—people we need to get to know, learn to trust, and also how to do more than just fight with. Go get a drink. Talk to someone new. Let down your guard.”
That last one would be the hardest.