“Come on,” Luca says, that hungry little growl still deep in his voice as he puts a hand around my waist and pulls me flush to his side. “Let’s go to dinner. Daphne’s coming up tonight, right?”“Oh yeah!” I say, my face breaking out in a smile – because I’ve seen less of my friend than I wanted to i
“This is all very exciting, Ari,” Daphne says. “I’m happy for you.”“Yeah well, don’t go thinking it’s too exciting,” I sigh, reaching for my bookbag and hauling it closer to me, starting to take out my books. “I hope you won’t mind that tonight will be a little boring, Daphne, I have a great deal o
Luca glances up at me. “Nothing,” he murmurs, blushing a little bit as he gathers his book back up. As he does I realize that his actions were not performative or attention-seeking at all, but instead the very real result of very real frustrations.In a flash, I wonder how and why I didn’t feel that
“Well, I stand by it,” Rafe says, settling back into his chair and pretending to turn his attention back to his own homework. “If you want help, Jackson is your man.”The room rings silent for a moment and I keep my eyes on my brother. When Rafe’s own eyes flick back up a moment and he glances betwe
We all give up pretending to study as Jackson comes back from the nook with some paper, some markers, and some tape, and – bizarrely – two different kinds of candy that my mom sent back to school with me, knowing they’re my favorite. Quietly, we all watch as Jacks hastily tapes four pieces of paper
“Well, that’s shit,” Luca murmurs, narrowing his eyes at the map. “A battle schematic where there’s just no chance at winning? I…I hate that.”“Yeah, but that’s war,” Jackson murmurs, nudging the candies back into place with his fingertip. “Sometimes you get to the point where it’s not about winning
Even as everyone returns to their homework, though, my eyes keep darting back to the little pile of chocolate on the side of the map.Delicately, working hard to use my espionage skills, I casually lean forward and slip my hand out –Only for Luca to swat it away. I gasp in shock, mock appalled.“Ha
Ben looks around with interest at Daphne’s room as I plop onto the bed, swinging my legs and grinning, pleased to be alone with the two friends with whom I spend the least amount of time. Ben nods appreciatively. “Nice place you’ve got here, Daph,” he says, putting his hands on his hips as he spies
“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