chapter Twenty-Three
“ME?” I SWALLOWED HARD. “But my mom…I mean, she disappeared. How do they…”
“Dez, your mom ran, yes. But I’m assuming they knew there was a chance her child survived.” He furrowed his brow. “I think before they move forward with the union, they want to wrap up loose ends.”
“Wrap up. Kill me, you mean.” I stood up and turned my head toward the dark courtyard.
Reese stood, walked up behind me, and enfolded me into his arms. “I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.” He held me tighter. “There’s no way for them to prove who you are. After you pass all the tests, they’ll assume the missing child didn’t survive.” His warm breath fanned the top of my head. “You can go on living as Shythe.”
“Tests?” I turned in his arms and stared into his red eyes. “What tests?”
“That’s what the meetings are for,” he said. “They want students to perform a test using their power.” He shook his head. “It’s so obvious to me what they’re looking for. But everyone will just think it’s a part of their matching system for those who don’t choose a mate.”
I bowed my head and shuddered before meeting his eyes again. “You really think they’re looking for me?”
Reese frowned. “Honestly, I can’t say. But I think it’s better to assume they are and be prepared.”
When everything he’d said hit me, I realized he wasn’t safe, either. “What about you?”
“They have no idea I was part of the experiment.”
“But still, they’ll be testing you, regardless. What if—”
He pressed his finger against my lips. “Don’t endanger yourself by worrying about me. I’ve passed their tests a couple of times before. Or else I wouldn’t be here now.” His eyes scanned my face.
Relief rushed through me. “And that means you can help me pass it, too.”
“Yeah.” He nodded. “Should be pretty easy, actually. Just have to keep you from getting nervous. As long as you’re confident and actually seem a little disinterested, like it doesn’t bother you, you should pass it no problem.”
“What are the tests?” I asked.
“Mainly strength tests.” He guided me to the bench with him. “To measure your power. We’ll have to train again, but this time, you’ll have to be in your Kythan form. And you need to seem as if you’re using your full power while only administering low volts of energy.”
I shivered. That didn’t sound easy to me at all. The hardest thing for me was my control. “I just hope they don’t call on me first.”
“They’ll most likely go alphabetically. Keep it looking like they’re not looking, you know. That gives us some time.”
I leaned into his chest, linking my arms around him. “That’s why they put the barrier spell up—to block us from leaving. If someone from the experiment had survived, and was here, they knew they’d probably run once the test was announced.”
“Would you have?” He laid his chin on the top of my head. “Tonight? If there was a way out of Haven, would you want to leave?”
I thought for a moment, then said, “No. I couldn’t leave my mom and friends and you behind.” I took in a shuddering breath. “Don’t get me wrong, it crossed my mind. But I can’t.”
Reese drew back and stared into my eyes, undaunted. “I’d have gone with you.” He caressed my cheek. “I still will. If there’s a way out of here, I’ll find it. I’ll get you away from them.”
I pressed my lips to his and kissed him deeply. He’d give up his whole life to protect me. My heart ached with that knowledge as I pulled away slightly. “When all this is over, and we graduate from the Academy, and I know my friends and Mom are safe…let’s leave Haven. Just you and me.”
“Done.” His eyes lit up. “I don’t like being in the guard, anyway.” He smiled, but then his face fell and he grunted.
“What?”
“I have watch tonight on the ship.” He kissed my forehead. “I should get going.”
“Right,” I said, standing. “I’ll walk you to your wing.”
He brought me closer, a smile sneaking across his face. “No. I’ll walk you to your wing. Let me be the tough protector guy, okay?”
I laughed. “Sure.”
He shook his head. “I still can’t believe you.”
“What?”
“I almost died when I saw you dive off the back of that airship. You’re definitely tougher than any girl—Shythe or Narco—I’ve ever met.” He moved us toward the double glass doors. “Not to mention Lana. You two are just crazy.”
My face flushed as I stepped inside the lobby. I was proud he had included Lana—that he understood how important my friends were to me. “So that’s a good thing, right?”
“More than you know.” He kissed me tenderly and then we parted ways.
I hated that Reese was in the guard. I’d meant what I told him about leaving together. As soon as we graduated and as soon as I knew my friends and family were safe, I wanted us to go—for the both of us to get out of the Councils’ reach. I hated the thought of leaving my friends behind, but I knew Lana and Devon wouldn’t stick around. If the union was set in stone, there was no way she’d stay. And as much as I loved Nick, he’d be okay. I had faith that he’d settle down with a nice Narco girl and make it work. He adapted much better than any of us.
Jace—he was the one I truly worried about. If he didn’t accept the union, I was scared of what he might do. And if he didn’t run or try to start a rebellion, I knew his hatred for the Narcos would consume him. I had to make things right between us—for him—before I even thought of leaving.
I climbed the stairs and headed to my unit with my thoughts weighing heavily. I turned the lights down low and crawled into my bed, pulling the covers close to my chin.
Convincing Jace to accept the Narcolym race was going to be a battle, especially when I didn’t trust the Councils myself. How could I? Apparently, they still wanted me dead.
While Lana and I got ready for classes, I told her about the test. She was worried for me, but I assured her that with Reese’s help, I’d pass.
As I grabbed my bag, I looked over at her. “How did Jace seem last night?”
“He was…distant,” she said, picking up her own bag. “He developed those proofs we took and is throwing himself into deciphering that scroll.”
I thumped my forehead with the heel of my hand. “I completely forgot about that. Has he figured anything out yet?”
“No.” She shook her head. “It’s a two-thousand-year-old dead language. I think he’s going to need a bit of time and say, a miracle.” She rolled her eyes. “He’s being all secretive. He won’t even talk to me or Nick about it.”
I hung my head. “Maybe he just wants some time to himself.”
“Maybe. I don’t think it’s healthy for him to take on a new obsession so quickly, though.” She opened the door. “You coming?”
“Yup.” I took a deep breath and headed toward the hallway, but halted to look at her. “And what do you mean by new obsession? What was his old one?”
Lana rolled her eyes at me again. “You’re just so dense sometimes,” she said as she pushed me out the door.
I grew nervous as we entered Mr. Liam’s classroom. Reese was standing next to his desk, but when I looked toward my own, Jace wasn’t seated beside it. Glancing around the room, I spotted him in the far left corner. He was as distant from me as he could get without actually being outside the classroom.
Lana shrugged, and I followed her over to our seats. I assumed out of pity for his brother, Nick sat next to Jace. We really were divided now, and my heart ached. As I sat down, I looked at Reese and he smiled weakly. He was sitting away from me, like I’d asked, for the sake of Jace. I just didn’t want to rub our relationship in his face.
Mr. Liam acted as if nothing had gone down over the weekend, and as far as he actually knew, nothing had. I planned on working with him as much as I could through the week, despite having to train with Reese. I had a feeling I was going to need the help of my special crystal for the Councils’ test. I wanted to try different levels, making sure it would work if I maxed out my power.
“I know everybody’s had an interesting weekend.” Mr. Liam eyed me as he began. “But we need to clear our heads. Let’s pick up where we left off on our discussion about energy transfer.” He lifted his text. “Who would like to begin the new chapter on page—” He broke off abruptly when every communicator in the room buzzed.
I fished mine from my pocket, watching everyone else do the same. Then I stared down at the analog screen: Faculty commence testing procedure. All students are to remain in the building.
Fear gripped my chest and shivers crawled along my skin. The Councils had begun their testing—their search. The room broke into a ruckus of shouts and demands, everyone asking Mr. Liam questions at once.
“Everyone, settle down,” Mr. Liam said in an authoritative voice. “I’ll answer questions one at a time.” He waited for the room to quiet. After a moment, students took their seats and hands went up.
Mr. Liam pointed to a girl behind me. She stood. “What’s going on? What is this testing procedure, and why has the barrier been raised, keeping us in? And—”
“One question at a time, Ms. Jankowski,” Mr. Liam interrupted. He motioned for her to take her seat and looked around the class, studying the panic-stricken faces. His eyes landed on me, and he gave me a knowing, fragile smile. “I assume everyone is wondering the same thing.” He held his hand up to quiet the class as they began to unanimously agree. “All right. The Councils have instructed the faculty to release students to them, one by one, for testing throughout the week.” He paused. “Alphabetically, according to last names.”
I glanced at Reese, who nodded once. He’d been right. We had a little time to train before I’d be called. A wave of relief rushed through me. I bowed my head and looked back up to Mr. Liam as he continued.
“There’s no need to panic. It’s strictly a compatibility test. The Councils want to test power strengths and ability…for placement.” He paused, taking in the many confused expressions. “For matching. If students haven’t taken a mate by the end of the Academy year, the Councils will select one for you. It’s all very basic. Nothing to worry about.”
I chewed on my lower lip. Nothing to worry about for everyone else. Except me. My thoughts were interrupted when a student stood, asking about the barrier spell.
Mr. Liam nodded. “I believe the Councils have placed the barrier around Haven to ensure that disgruntled students won’t leave. Once the testing is complete, and fears assuaged, I’m sure it’ll be taken down.”
Nick shot up. “But why are the humans leaving?” Voices echoed him, agreeing and throwing in their own thoughts and reasoning. I was surprised to see as many upset Narcos as Shythe.
Mr. Liam raised his hand again, calming the room. “I know this occurrence has frightened everyone, but I’m sure once the Councils have completed their testing and the barrier is taken down, everything will return to normal.” He eyed me, sending me a silent message. He didn’t believe it. I wasn’t sure if he knew the truth, but he knew his words were false. I could see the disbelief in his eyes.
I didn’t think the class bought it either, though they didn’t argue. I heard quiet murmurs of protest, but no one spoke out. This was how the Councils had conditioned us. We had to accept it as they made decisions for all Kythan. We only followed their rules and laws. Our races were too weak, and the fear of extinction was a powerful nullifier.
Once the class accepted Mr. Liam’s explanations, he continued his lesson plan. I couldn’t focus on my work. I kept feeling Jace’s eyes studying me, but when I peeked at him, he was working hard on his project. I gave up and shut my text, my thoughts of the test and Jace becoming too much.
The bell rang, and I jumped to my feet, relieved. Only two more blocks to go. I nodded to Mr. Liam as I moved toward the door where Reese waited for me.
“I guess we’re not going to get a straight answer about the humans from any of the faculty,” Reese said, rubbing his hand along my arm.
“I guess not,” I agreed, then halted his hand. “Please, not in front of Jace.” I looked toward the corner of the room, but Jace was already nearing us. I stepped aside as he bolted through the door, glaring at Reese as he passed.
I shook my head. I knew Jace hated Reese, but why was he giving him the evil eye when I was the one he was disgusted with? I was the one who’d betrayed him—lied about myself to him. Maybe he couldn’t bring himself to even look at me, and Reese was a good target for his anger.
Lana sidled up next to us. “I suddenly feel like going to class is pointless,” she said with mock laughter in her voice. “I mean, if they have my whole life planned out, what do I really need to learn?”
I took her arm in mine as we headed into the hallway. “Well, regardless, let’s lay low. We don’t need to bring attention to ourselves by missing any more blocks.”
“Agreed.” Reese slipped his hand into my free one. “Let’s just make it through this week. Once the barrier spell is lifted, we’ll go from there.” His eyebrows furrowed. “Maybe the humans leaving is just an adverse effect of the spell. I’m not familiar with the magics, but anything’s possible.”
I laced my fingers through his. “That’s a good point.” He was right. The spells were only used by the Councils, and even they didn’t fully understand how to control them anymore. Because the Councils would suffer by the humans’ departure, too, I had to trust that Reese was right. Maybe they didn’t raise the spell correctly. It was all we had to go on.
Lana brightened. “At least our data communicators work again.” A smile struggled to break across her face.
“Yeah, but I wouldn’t send anything personal,” Reese said. “Anything you don’t want the Councils to read.”
We paused before our classroom, and I looked up at him. “You think we’re being monitored?”
He arched an eyebrow. “Don’t you?”
The rest of the day went on without incident. We went to our blocks, half paying attention to distracted teachers as they sent students out for testing. We kept our heads down. And Jace continued to ignore me.
At dinner, he and Nick sat on one side of the cafeteria, and Lana, Reese, and I sat on the other. I felt bad for Lana. She was also getting the cold shoulder from Jace because she was hanging around me.
“Don’t sweat it,” she said, flicking a bean around her plate. “He’ll come around.”
I nodded halfheartedly. “I just miss him,” I admitted. And I did. This had been the longest time besides the change that I’d been distant from him. I truly wanted to believe Lana. But deep down, I feared the worst—that I’d lost Jace forever.