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
But suddenly my eyes lock on a figure across the room and I go very still in shock before I suddenly burst out laughing, realizing that I’m looking at myself in the mirror on the far wall. “What?” Jesse asks, coming to my side. “Seriously?” I say, grinning at myself as I turn a little, observing
My breathe freezes in my lungs as the young tailor and I stare at each other, neither of us blinking. I mean, I am not someone who can claim anything close to the dangerous curves of a temptress, but I am decidedly a girl. Like my mom, I have smaller breasts, but my waist is small and my hips are
“Mom and dad…might have pulled some strings before we enrolled as candidates,” Rafe says, “just in case we got admitted as cadets.” He shrugs like it’s no big deal, which just makes me burst out laughing. “Nepotism!?” I chide, shaking my head at him. “You used nepotism to get the best suite in the