“I’m able to complete my placement.” I met Ezra’s gaze. “Are you the proctor or something?”
“Or something.” Ezra pointed at Rowan. “Rowan will see you back. He will be a good friend. Explain. Talk to him.”
Bells and alarms filled my head. ‘A good friend’ were the exact words Winston used. Ezra wasn’t who I thought he was, not at all. I opened my mouth to ask for an explanation, for anything, but Ezra stepped into his own shadow and vanished. My jaw clicked back together.
Rowan took another step toward me, and I stepped back.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” he promised.
I bit my lips shut and gestured for him to lead the way. Although Rowan clearly wanted me in front, I refused to let him out of my sight. Lead weights dragged at my legs, and my muscles screamed with every step. The magic I had thrown into my body pushed me way past my physical limitations.
A cold, drizzly rain splashed down on the world. I should have brought the pink cloak that came with my uniform. But the sun had tricked my ass thoroughly, as this place had tricked me into trusting.
‘A good friend.’ Why would Ezra say that?
We trudged forward until the area came into view. Rowan put his hand out to stop me. I dodged it, turning to face him.
“Earlier, you said ‘again.’” He swallowed. “Did someone hurt you?”
I ignored his question. I couldn’t answer it. Either all of this was some fucked up nightmare, or it was real, and they had. I wasn’t sure I could deal with either answer right now.
“Quinn,” Rowan said. “Whatever happened in your past—”
“Why does Ezra want you to be my friend?” I asked, balling my fists. “Did he push me toward Seth?”
Rowan put his hands out. “I don’t know who Seth is, but I’m one of Ezra’s five. He trusts me. I’m sure if another of his officers had followed you, he would have said the same thing.”
Or something.Ezra had said when I asked who he was. The man wasn’t a random enforcer; Rowan was one of ‘his five.’ Now that I thought about it, Ezra had pulled me out of Professor Holiday’s placement without being questioned.
I had no idea who Ezra was, but a simple gym bro had been the wrong assumption in every way, shape, and form.
I started walking again, and Rowan settled in by my side.
“How have your first few days been?” He asked. “Tested the support of many structures?”
“I think that’s your job,” I said evenly.
I meant it to be rude, but Rowan broke out in an infectious, wide grin that pulled on my lips. A little of the fear eased out of me. I was still in the same delusion. I could do this.
“Thanks for the book, and thanks for coming after me.” I grimaced. “I’m on edge.”
“You don’t say?” Rowan tapped the side of his cheek.
I snorted. “Dick.”
We stepped back into the training yard, and through the soggy rain, I overheard my peers whispering about cowards and frightened children. My stomach tightened, but it didn’t need to. None of these people were real. The rumor mill was literally meaningless.
Everly bounced up to me and took my hand. A wave of fresh guilt washed over me.
“You ran so fast!” she exclaimed. “Thank you for trying to take me with you.”
I looked for sarcasm or hurt, but there wasn’t any. My new friend was genuinely thankful, but I abandoned her the minute things got too hard.
“I left you.” I bit my lips together. “You shouldn’t thank mefor anything.”
“You did what you had to.” Everly pulled me into her chest. My face landed right between her breasts. Although having no clue where Hero stood, I could feel the hate radiating off her twin. I giggled.
Everly released me. “I made a new friend! Brit tackled the guy who attacked you.”
