chapter Seventeen
A RUCKUS BROKE OUT, and Kythan jumped from their seats, wearing shocked expressions. I was unable to move. When what Mr. Tuner had said finally sank in, I swung my head toward Reese. He was already looking at me. I studied his features, trying to assess if he’d known this was coming. But his eyes reflected the fear I felt.
Lana reached across my lap and rested her hand on Jace’s arm. “Looks like we were way, way off,” she said, trying to draw his attention from their father. Then she sat back, giving her father the evilest look I’d ever seen from her.
Mr. Tuner slammed a gavel. What, did he think this was court? “Please, settle down.” When his order went ignored, he snapped his fingers into the microphone. The back doors swung open and Narcos dressed in battle uniforms stormed in holding weapons.
Oh, God.
The student body immediately fell quiet and sat back down. “Now. Let’s continue.” Mr. Tuner looked around, daring anyone to object. “I didn’t mean it lightly when I said our species is in danger. If we can’t find a way to survive without the humans, in less than a hundred years—less than one Kythan lifetime—we’ll cease to exist.”
I glanced over to Jace. His jaw flexed as he kept his eyes trained on Mr. Tuner. Then he slowly turned his head toward me, but looked right past. I’d never seen his eyes look so angry, wild. Not even when he’d almost fought that Narco at Cogs. He was staring at the Narcolym troops. I’d need to perform major damage control before he started a rebellion.
Mr. Tuner continued. “Since our creation, we’ve needed humans to need us. But we’ve made a discovery, and we now have a choice. We can cancel out our human dependency, freeing our kind.” He paused. “And this is not us asking you to cooperate. Your Council is making a decision for the good of all Kythan. If you haven’t chosen a mate of opposite race by the end of the Academy year, then one will be selected for you.”
I reached over and grabbed Jace’s hand. I knew he was about to leap from his seat. Sure enough, as my eyes slid in his direction, he was hovering—mid-spring. I squeezed his hand, imploring him to stay seated—not to act.
Mr. Tuner looked around the stunned room. “In an orderly fashion, I’ll gladly answer any questions you may have.”
At first, no one moved. I gripped Jace’s hand tighter. There was no way he could speak yet. Nothing good would leave his mouth. Finally, hands started going up. Mr. Tuner pointed to a Narco in the first row.
The Narco hesitantly stood. “How is uniting the races going to set us free from the humans?” He slowly sat back down.
“Excellent question,” Mr. Tuner said. “Unfortunately, that information is classified. Just know that we have no doubt that after the races are united, in just a matter of years, not many at all, you’ll see this realized. The proof will be evident. But for now, the Councils have to keep this information secret, for fear that a possible rebel alliance would try and use it against us.” He paused, glancing around. “And I say this now: if there is any thought of rebellion, know you’ll be dooming your race to extinction. We ask at this time for your trust and faith in our methods.”
Hands lowered. It seemed everyone realized in unison their questions wouldn’t be answered. Or, they feared being labeled a future rebel.
“Well,” said Mr. Tuner. “I think that wraps things up at this time. Though please remember, you’re expected to find a mate by the end of the year. The sooner we begin, the sooner we assure the survival of all Kythan.” He smiled. “Thank you.”
The guards at the door parted, permitting a path to the exit. As everyone stood and began filing out, I held onto Jace’s hand. We shuffled down the row in deafening silence.
As I rounded the aisle, Reese caught my eye. The look on his face said he was feeling the same as me. Confused. He shook his head once. We couldn’t talk about it now—definitely not here. He stepped out in front of us, and my eyes trailed after him.
My mind reeled. Reese and I were the only ones here, besides the Council members, who knew this experiment had been conducted before and had ended badly. Why would they try it again? And why so many years later? It made absolutely no sense. For reasons I could never understand, the “product” of the first trial union had been disposed of, yet Reese and I were proof that a union between the two races could work. Although, I had no idea how bonding could free Kythan from being guardians.
I didn’t have time to figure it out. Jace’s hand shook in mine. He was beyond any level of anger I’d ever seen in him. I needed to get him away. If not from the Academy, then at least from all Narcos at the moment.
Once we were out of the auditorium, I turned toward Lana. “What do you say about skipping first block?”
“Oh, yeah. I think that’s a good idea,” she said, eyeing Jace. “Let’s head to the basement. I’m not too concerned about smelling like disinfectant right now.”
We dipped out of the crowd and down the corridor toward the gym. It was vacant, so we hurried to the basement before first block began. The whole time I held onto Jace, I felt currents of Charge beneath my hand, sparking. I had to get him calmed down.
Nick closed and bolted the door behind us. I raised my eyebrows. “Think that’s a good idea?” I asked him.
“At this point, I’m not too worried about the janitorial staff’s need for mopping supplies.” He hustled to the closet and pulled out buckets, turning them over to use for seats.
To my surprise, Jace actually sat. I scooted my bucket closer to his as Lana and Nick pulled theirs nearer, forming a circle. I didn’t want to be the one to start this conversation. I didn’t know what to say. For them, this was utterly shocking. And I was plenty alarmed, but for a whole different reason.
This was blasphemy, but I knew it had been done before. What I couldn’t understand was why it was being done again. The only thing I could figure out was that the Councils wanted us bound to our mate to secure a union between races. Kythan were different than humans in that way. We couldn’t simply marry and divorce if things didn’t work out. Bonding was for life.
Jace cracked his knuckles and flexed his fingers. “We’re going to find out what the Councils are up to.” He lifted his head and looked at each of us in turn. “We’re sneaking aboard the Narcolym Council’s airship.” A beat. “Tonight.”
Silence. For a long moment, we said nothing.
Then Lana spoke up. “Fine. I’m in.” She nodded her head once. “But we’ll need supplies.”
“Can you get Devon to cover that in time?” Nick asked.
“I think so,” she said.
“We’ll need something to get us onboard and a backup plan to get out if we get caught,” Jace said, narrowing his eyes at Lana. “Use your analog communicator. Tell Devon to meet us at Cogs.”
I held up my hands. “Hold up.” I glanced around, wide-eyed. “Are you guys serious? We can’t sneak onto an airship. We’ll be crucified if we’re caught.” I gawked at them when no one agreed with me. “You guys! You saw those troops. They’re prepared to take out any rebel activity on the spot and ask questions later.”
Lana shot up. “I won’t be forced to bond with someone I don’t love.” She glared at me. “Devon and I had plans after the Academy. We—” She broke off, her voice trembling. “No. Just no.”
I lowered my eyes from hers. “I had no idea, Lane.” I took in a deep breath and stood beside her. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to—”
“I know…It’s okay.” She shook her head and wiped a stray tear away with the heel of her hand.
I turned toward Jace. “Why are you thinking the Narcolym Council’s airship? What are we supposed to do there?”
“You heard my father. They’re keeping secrets.” He looked around. “I want to know what those secrets are and just how they plan on changing our fate. I want to find proof that there’s foul play on the Narcos’ part.”
Nick raised his hand. “Um, not to be the party pooper, but even if we find said proof, who the hell are we going to show it to?” He lifted his shoulders in a half-shrug.
“I’m not sure.” Jace let out an exasperated breath. “But we have to figure out what they’re up to. Right now, even our Council is the enemy.” He gritted his teeth. “When we find out what’s behind all this, we can go from there.”
My stomach churned. If the Narco Council had documents in that airship regarding the first experiment, then they’d have information on me. Even though my name wouldn’t be listed, or my mother’s—as we’d gone by an alias since we’d fled—they’d have photographs, sketches, or possibly something else that could be traced back to her. And then to me. My forehead prickled with cold sweat.
I wondered if this might be the time to let them in on my Narco half…but looking into Jace’s eyes, knowing he was about to explode, it seemed cruel to lay anything else on him.
No. I had to get through tonight first. Then think about it on a clear head. If anyone was going to find that information on the airship, it had to be me.
“I’m in,” I said. “But we plan this out. No one gets left behind. And if we don’t find anything within the agreed upon time”—I pointed at each one of them—“we get out. Mission aborted.”
Jace nodded, but avoided my eyes. “All right.” He jumped up, knocking over the bucket. “Let’s do this.”
Jace, Lana, and Nick were going to meet Devon at Cogs. I volunteered to be the one to stay behind and gather what supplies could be found at the Academy. I had to be the one left behind. Only I could gather the kind of supplies we needed. And, I had to find Reese.
No matter what problems we had, this one was bigger than us. The Councils were up to something—something bad. I could feel it. I knew our Council always left us in the dark, but Reese seemed to have knowledge about the Narcolym Council. And if he knew what they were up to, and he hadn’t told me…
He’d tell me now.
I stood at the back doors to the Academy, making sure the coast was clear so the triplets could sneak out. Everyone else was in class. The lobby was empty as I waved my hand, beckoning them to hurry.
Lana and Nick flew out the door, but Jace paused beside me, a pained expression on his face. “Dez,” he said. “You have to understand. I have to do this. There’s no way I can lose you.” He clamped his eyes shut. “Especially to one of them.”
My throat closed up, thick. I swallowed hard. “Jace. Just be careful, okay?”
He nodded and pressed his lips to mine. I felt his passion and combined worry in that moment. His lips were hard on mine. He kissed me like it was the last time we’d ever kiss. Then he shot out the door.
I headed back into the hallway. Reese would be in his last period block by now. So I walked as fast as I could without breaking into a full run. I had to act as if nothing was wrong. I passed Shythe and Narcos in the hallway, everyone acting as if it was just another day. I had to do the same.
When I reached Mathematics, I peeked around the door, peering into the classroom through the side window. Reese wasn’t in his seat. I searched the room, but he wasn’t anywhere. Dammit. Where is he?
After I searched the rec room and the cafeteria, I threw my hands up in frustration. I checked the time on my communicator. I only had a few more hours to gather my equipment. There was only one other place I thought he could be. His unit. But that was in the boys’ wing of the Academy.
I blew my bangs off my forehead. Hell, I was already a rebel sneaking onto an airship. Was sneaking into the boys’ wing such a stretch? I only had one problem. I had no idea which unit was his.
Passing through the lobby for the tenth time that day, I spotted—conveniently—the Shythe girl Reese had been getting close with. I swallowed my pride and made my way over to where she sat flipping through her textbook.
“Hi,” I said, wracking my brain for a tactful way of asking about Reese.
“Hi.” She looked up, surprised. “Can I help you with something?”
“Uh, actually yeah.” I sat down next to her. “Look, I’ve seen you with Reese. I don’t care what’s going on between you two, but—”
“Reese?” She shook her head. “That hotheaded Narco?”
I quirked an eyebrow. “That’d be the one.” I studied her expression. “Are you two dating?”
She laughed. “God. Only the first day of the announcement and people are accepting it?” After she said it, she glanced around to see if anyone else had heard her. “Listen. I don’t really want to talk about this, but no. Even if they held a Charge Dagger to my throat, Reese would be the last Narco I’d pick.”
Stunned, I slumped my shoulders. “But, you’re always talking to him. I thought—”
“I’m his tutor. His Shythe tutor.” She clucked her tongue. “That boy knows not one damn thing about the Shythe race. I was assigned to help integrate him into our system. He’s like, the only one that needs a tutor full time.” She flipped through her book. “God, I hope tutoring is over soon. I only took it on for an extra credit.”
I smiled. But then my face fell as I realized he hadn’t been trying to make me jealous. I wondered if he’d gotten a tutor to help disguise himself more. Making sure the Shythe didn’t suspect him of having odd powers—knowing too much about our race. It seemed like something he’d do.
I wanted to slap myself. I was more Narco than I thought. I obviously had some hot temper issues, too. “All right,” I said “But do you know where he is now? Or which unit number is his?”
She gave me a puzzled look, pinching her eyebrows together. “I haven’t seen him since the assembly this morning. And I’m sorry, but I don’t know which unit is his, either.”
I nodded. “Okay, thanks.” I stood and turned to go.
“Hey,” she said, and I faced her. “If you’re trying to decide on who to start seeing, I wouldn’t go for that guy.” She rolled her eyes. “Major dick.”
“Thanks, I’ll remember that.”
Major dick, huh. Maybe he’d been playing his role a little too well. I remembered that first night at Cogs. He definitely had the Narco temperament down. I wanted to think more about what she’d told me, but I didn’t have time. I decided to search the boys’ wing, regardless. Maybe I’d run into him in the halls. For the first time, I rode the lift by myself. I didn’t have enough time to take the stairs.
When I reached the top floor, I passed by every door, listening closely. Every unit on that level seemed to be empty. Crap. I glanced at my communicator. Time was up. I scurried back to the lift and rode it down to the lobby.
I had to get to work. I waited behind the door of the chemistry lab. Within a couple of minutes, class was released. After the classroom emptied, I stepped inside and walked straight up to Mr. Liam.
“I need your help.”