“I delt with it,” I say, straightening my shoulders, frowning at my brother and my cousin. They both look up at me. “As best as I could, I delt with it. I did what I had to do to stay in the school, keep my secret, and keep myself protected.” They both stare at me for a long moment before Rafe nod
“With weapons,” Jesse growls, his eyes lighting a bit devilishly. “No weapons,” Jacks snaps and Jesse’s face drops into a scowl. “We don’t need them, and we’re not giving him any reason to disintegrate us on the spot. Alvez is powerful – don’t forget that. We don’t want him to feel so threatened t
Jacks just stands and looks back at Rafe, a little awkward, waiting for him to react to the secret he just told. “That’s really cool,” Rafe whispers. “So, you probably are fitter than me,” Jacks says with a shrug. “Just…not magically powered. Why the hell did we run so far today?” “I don’t kno
Jacks nods, solid. “She’s really funny. And…surprising. I never know what she’s going to say next. It’s just…” he shrugs, at a loss for words. “Great.” Rafe smiles a little, unable to help it, pleased that these two found each other. But he sighs again, still troubled. “Do you want my perspectiv
“Oh, put me down,” I sigh, defeated, going limp and smacking at Jackson’s back as Jesse and Rafe likewise step aside, checking in on each other, speaking softly. “I’m shamed enough by my lack of athleticism, you don’t have to rub it in.” “You did very good today,” Jacks lies, setting me back down
“Oh,” I say, stepping aside quickly so he doesn’t bowl me over as strides out the door. And then I quickly follow as he moves down the hall, doing my best to stay at his side even if it means that I have to do a ridiculous little trot instead of a walk. “Where are we going?” “Outside,” the Captain
“Wow…” I whisper, leaning forward, my hand shooting out to touch the long, slim silver rifle that the Captain lifts out of the bag and sets up straight, balancing it on its two bipod legs so it stands up on its own. At the last second, I pull my hand back, not sure if I should. “Go on,” the captai
“Well, it’s fancy,” I say, gesturing to the gun. “And it has a scope. You point the crosshairs at the target and you shoot – it should work!” He laughs at me again, I think genuinely pleased and entertained. “It’s going to take a long time to get good at it, kid,” he says, smiling at me and pattin
“We won’t be here all the time.” A new voice surprises me and I turn, starting to cry in earnest when I see my dad come around one of the houses, Rafe at his side. “We have a country to run, after all.” He grins at me, opening an arm. “Dad,” I croak, shaking my head and tucking myself against his
“Come back here,” Neumann calls, pointing at the ground in front of him. Midnight appears again in the corner, dismissing her shadows, and dashes back over, smiling her delight. “Are you seriously encouraging this?” the Captain murmurs, shaking his head and heaving a big sigh. Neuman doesn’t rep
“If I’m dismissed from the Academy now,” I interrupt, holding up a hand and conjuring up my blue flames, which make him take a step back in surprise. “Then the military of Moon Valley loses the opportunity to train and make use of its most powerful weapon. Which, if you ask me, is far too much of a
“Ut-oh,” Jesse says, turning to grin at me. “Looks like the secrets out.” “You could look less cheerful about it,” I say, glaring at him even as I climb out of bed and move towards the door as Jackson pulls on his shirt. “It’s not your education at stake, after all.” “Nooo, don’t forbid me my gl
Marigold laughs a little but just nods. “Are we doing this?” Jesse says, glancing up at the clock that looms large over the entire station. “We don’t have a ton of time.” Jackson looks at me and arches a brow. I laugh and nod, grinning at our little party. “Let’s go!” The next morning I wake u
Marigold, perched high on Jackson’s arm, looks around the train station with wide eyes as she munches on a cookie. I bite my lip for a moment, watching her, anxious that she’ll be anxious. After all, her life has already involved so much change… “She’s fine,” Jackson murmurs, smirking down at me f
I can’t help it. I just get incredibly jealous. “Tell me,” Jackson urges, feeling the shift in my emotions, tightening his arms around me. “I just want to do that,” I say, laughing a little, shaking my head, feeling petulant. “It sounds so cool, and important, and…vivid. I want to do that work,
I scootch forward on the window seat, making room behind me. Jackson takes a moment to dip low, pressing a kiss to Marigold’s cheek and then to her hair, telling her how much he missed her and how glad he is to see her. The little girl laughs, beaming up at her father, and I can feel both of our hea
“Ariel,” my mom calls after me. “Please, come and talk to us –“ “It’s time for the meeting anyway, Ella,” dad murmurs. “She needs space to think and we don’t have any more time to talk.” As I head into the darkness of the hall Jackson’s voice appears in my mind, soft and apologetic. Do you wan