“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.