Jackson takes a long moment to size up Luca, I think feeling more comfortable with direct confrontation than small talk. “No secrets, Grant,” he says quietly. “Just genuinely fucking good at it.” Luca’s smirk deepens. “At least you’re good for the grunt work,” he says quietly, and my spine straigh
As I walk with the group of ten through the entrance to the course, I’m a little chagrined to see that Graham Wright is part of my pack. But I sigh and just do my best to stand far away from him. As we pass through the door, I’m surprised to see a small group of Academy professors in black waiting t
I’m gasping for breath by the time I get to the sand pit through which I have to army crawl under a heavy cargo net. This obstacle marks the final third of the course, which means that I’m almost done – but it’s also the part that always slows me down the most. I dive in without hesitation, trying
And that…that I have one shot to take advantage of this gift Jackson has laid at my feet – And I don’t know why he did it – maybe as an apology for trying to choke me? Maybe as a thanks for the simple act of inviting him to breakfast? But for whatever reason he did it – Jackson has opened a door
We’re all pretty spread out on the wide lawn at the base of the cliff on which the Academy castle is built, the entrance just a black door built into the wall of rock directly ahead of us. I curse my short stature again as I try to see between shoulders and torsos, but luckily we’re far enough apart
I’m shaking as the Captain places the list on the podium in front of him, all thoughts leaving my mind as he studies the names. Because as much as I’m desperate to figure out what happened, all I can do is listen and wait. “The cadet in the number 1 position,” the Captain says, his voice completel
“Ari Clark.” My head whips up and I gasp. Because – That’s – That’s my name – I mean, it’s not my name, but – A hysterical little laugh bursts from me as I stumble forward. I can feel eyes on me as a small, half-hearted cheer goes up – nothing like the cheering at the beginning, but most
I gape a little as we walk down the long, dark tunnel towards… I mean, I don’t even know what we’re walking towards. “Where are we going?” I ask Rafe, a little breathless with intrigue and excitement. “Into the Academy,” he hisses back, like it’s a secret, but I know he’s kidding even before I