“Eat.”
I blinked, staring at the food with wide eyes. “There is no way I can eat all of that!” I protested, my stomach knotting just at the sight of it.
Slade didn’t budge. His gaze was steady, unyielding, as if he could stand there all day, daring me to refuse. There was no room for negotiation in his silence. He shoved a knife and fork into my hands with a soft, metallic clink.
“Eat,” he repeated, his voice low but firm, like a command more than a suggestion.
I narrowed my eyes at him. For a moment, I thought I saw a spark of amusement in his deep, dark eyes as I finally took a few bites.
“All of it.”
I looked to Leo as if he might save me, but he just shrugged and held his hands up in surrender.
“Hey, don’t look at me.”
I took a couple more bites but was suddenly saved by the sound of sirens echoing around the mess hall.
I looked up, my mouth still half-full. “What?”
“Another attack.” He sighed, rubbing a hand down his face, then leaned down without thinking and pressed a kiss to my forehead — soft, lingering just a second too long to be casual.
I froze.
So did Maddie.
Even Slade raised an eyebrow from across the room.
Leo straightened, clearly realising what he’d done, but instead of apologising, he gave me a small, crooked smile — one that said everything he didn’t. His hand brushed my shoulder before he turned, all business now.
“Shades and Sentinels! Up. Trainees, back to your rooms.”
Maddie grabbed my arm and tugged. “Come on. You can crash in my room.”
I glanced after Leo, heart thudding faster than I liked. “Shouldn’t we try to help?”
I watched Slade and Leo moving with fluid precision, already barking orders as people jumped to obey.
Maddie just snorted. “Nope. They’ve got it. But my room has the best view of the front courtyard — we can spy from there.”
“You have a common room?” I asked, hurrying to keep up as she dragged me through the crowds.
Her grin was wicked. “Oh baby girl… You havesomuch to learn.”
Maddie led me to the second floor, her boots clicking against the polished floor as we walked down the long corridor. The moment we stepped into the large room, I couldn’t help but be struck by the space. It was luxurious, yet comfortable in a way that felt inviting. Multiple sofas were scattered across the room, their cushions deep and plush, begging for someone to sink into them and never leave.
A few wooden games I recognised, like pool and table tennis were set up in the space. One wall had a massive bookshelf filled with books. I walked over to it to run my hands down the spines.
“Pretty nice huh,” Maddie grinned.
“So many books!” It was more than I had ever seen in my whole life.
“You like to read?” She asked.
“Well, yeah,” I said, grinning. “We found a couple on the streets, you know — just tossed out. Finn and I used to share them and laugh over the raunchy sex scenes.”
“Finn?” Maddie tilted her head.
“My friend,” I said, quieter now. “He’s the reason I’m here.”
