Alistair grumbled. “Yeah, I get it. Secret Villain’s Club shit and all that. Howdoesone join this Villain’s Club?”
“They don’t,” I said flatly. Ancestors, how much had Marcus’ big mouth revealed?
“Fine, fine.” Alistair stood, though he sounded less than pleased. “I don’t know whatyouwere locating, but I’ve locatedmyselfa hot date. I’ll catch up with you losers later. Oh, and if I hear anything about demigods, I’ll be sure to let you know. I’m quite good at gathering intel.”
As Alistair and his cat started out of the room, Marcus turned to me. “One of the keys is at the Institute,” he hissed.
I tapped my fingers on the tabletop. “I thinkthreeof them might be here, or at least on Darke Island. I felt the Institute, then the next two visions weren’t far away, but the last one—”
“Felt like a thousand miles,” Marcus finished for me. “A city of some kind.”
“Yeah.” I huffed. “I don’t know how the hell we’re going to findthatkey.”
We were stuck here until we graduated, at least. We might be able to get around Darke Island while still at the prison, but there was no way we were getting off the island itself for a few more years.
“At least we have a starting point,” Marcus encouraged. “There’s for sure one key at the Institute. Once we find it, we’re one step closer to opening the portal.”
It was a start, at least. But I didn’t feel like the locator spell had done much of anything but made us more confused.
A voice drifted through the open door. “Watch where you’re going, you incompetent fool,” Alistair spat from somewhere down the staircase.
“You watch it, ya fucking midget,” a deep voice snapped back.
Alistair grunted, like he’d been shoved into a wall. I jumped to my feet to defend him, but whoever pushed him must’ve already moved on, because I heard several pairs of footsteps coming up the stairs.
A group of guys entered the room— three of them, I guessed, by the sound of their footsteps. They headed straight for us. I could hear Alistair mumbling curse words under his breath as he headed down the twisting staircase to the main level.
“Marcus,” one of the guys practically sang, like the two were best friends.
“Big G…” Marcus stammered, sounding shocked to see him.
Big G? What a dumb name.
“Our Little Drummer Boy,” Big G said in a tone that was more condescending than friendly. “How you doing?”
The guys surrounded Marcus, who didn’t say a word. Beside me, Rishi growled. I could tell these guys were bad news. My hands curled into fists, ready to throw a punch if I had to.
“What’s this?” I demanded. “Marcus, who are these guys?”
“No one,” Marcus said quietly, before clearing his throat and speaking with more confidence. “No one you should concern yourself with.”
“Us?” Big G balked. “Who areyou?”
“He’s my lab partner,” Marcus answered quickly. “Thought we’d get a head start on the semester.”
“Don’t spend too much time studying,” Big G growled. “Boss needs your sheets by tonight. If you don’t got ‘em…”
Athwacksounded, like he’d smacked his fist into his own palm. It was a threat.
“I’ve got them right here.” Marcus fumbled with a few papers, rustling them as he shoved them into one of the guy’s hands. They’d come from out of nowhere. I figured he’d just conjured them.
“Perfect.” Big G sounded pleased. “Have the next ones ready by Tuesday. None of this same-day shit.”
“I will,” Marcus promised.
“Yeah, you will,” Big G said through gritted teeth. “I’ll make sure of it.”
The guys shoved Marcus in a way I guessed was supposed to be friendly. It was so hard that he hit the edge of the table and sucked a breath through his teeth. The three guys laughed as they left the room with Marcus’ papers.
