“Well, I’d hope not. That would beterriblebedside manner.”
Analisa crossed her arms, unamused. “Olivier. I think it’s time we talk about the possibility that—” But her words were cut off as the door swung open, revealing two familiar faces. Emilio and Masika were standing side by side, waiting in the doorway. There was a sort of frantic look in Masika’s eyes, an infectious eagerness that made Olivier want to leap from the table.
Emilio, on the other hand, looked as though he’d rather be anywhere else.
Despite Emilio’s clear annoyance over whatever Masika had dragged him in here for, Olivier felt a rush of relief upon seeing him. They’d barely spent any time alone together since arriving at the Resistance’s manor, sharing fleeting conversations during brief moments of respite. It wasn’t their fault. Emilio had been sweptup by the rigorous training routine that every Resistance member was forced to participate in, while Olivier had been unwillingly crowned the Healing Bay’s most fascinating medical anomaly.
Which meant these moments, brief as they might have been, meant everything to Olivier.
“Can I help you?” Analisa asked, brow quirked.
“We…uh—” Masika cleared her throat. “We need to take Olivier to a mandatory combat session.”
Analisa crossed her arms. “His training isn’t for another hour.”
Olivier squinted at Masika, a silent communication passing between the two of them.
Play along.
Olivier didn’t hesitate. He jumped to his feet and placed a comforting hand on Analisa’s shoulder. “She’s right,” he chimed in. “I forgot to tell you. It got moved up.” When Analisa opened her mouth to say something, Olivier gently patted her shoulder, interjecting before she could get a word out, “I promise I’ll be on time tomorrow. And then you can tear open my mind to your heart’s content, okay?”
Analisa frowned.
“Do not be late.”
Olivier lifted his hand into a mocking salute.
“Yes, Sergeant.”
He walked past Analisa, offering one final wink before sauntering out of the room, Emilio and Masika on his heels. The trio scurried down the hallway, putting distance between them and the Healing Bay. As they walked, Olivier spared Emilio a fleeting look, which instantly caused the other boy to blush.
Olivier bit back a smile.
“Hello, my love.”
The tips of Emilio’s ears reddened.
“Hi, Olivier.”
Masika rolled her eyes, grabbing the two boys by their wrists and tugging them in closer.
“Look, you two will have plenty of time to stare into each other’s eyes and marvel at each other’s beauty, but right now, we have something we need to do.”
Olivier sighed. “I’m listening.”
Masika glanced cautiously over her shoulder, as though waiting to hear if anybody was approaching. After a few seconds, she reached into her waistcoat, revealing a large iron key dangling between her fingers. “Want to join me in doing something unequivocally dangerous and stupid?”
“Masika, dear…” Olivier smirked, placing his arm over Emilio’s shoulder. “I’m offended you’d even ask.”
6
EMILIO
As far as terrible ideas went, this one wasparticularlyterrible. Emilio Córdova was already mentally rehearsing his apology as he reluctantly followed Masika and Olivier out of the Healing Bay and into the seemingly never-ending corridors of the Resistance’s manor.Just act natural, he told himself, nervously tugging at the hem of his shirt.The plan is simple. We’re just going to waltz right into the most guarded area of the manor. What’s the worst that can happen?
“Emilio,” Masika whispered through gritted teeth. “Stop breathing like that.”
“Like what?” Emilio whispered back, awkwardly nodding at a passing scholar who regarded him with suspicious eyes.
