Page 53 of The Amber Sunburst

Alexander’s not quite sure what to make of it, but it’s hard to make anything of anything when faced with pools of midnight black. Kallias is careful with his emotions, so Alexander has gathered, but his eyes? His eyes are so alive.

They’re almost exactly the same height, he and Kallias. It makes it all the easier to get lost.

“So?” Alexander asks before he does something stupid.

Kallias scans his face, stepping closer.

“Fine. But I want something from you in return.”

“Anything,” he says, and it’s true.

“That’s a dangerous proposition.”

“I trust you. I shouldn’t, but I just… do.”

An indecipherable look crosses Kallias’ face but it’s gone in an instant, replaced by his usual, flat expression.

“Half-past midnight, tomorrow.”

“Sure, sure.” Alexander nods frantically. “But since I’m already here, can’t we just go now?”

Kallias’ brows scrunch together in a glare. “Tomorrow. I’m going somewhere else tonight.”

“Alright.”

Kallias turns to walk away, into the courtyard, and Alexander wonders what business he could possibly have at eleven thirty in the Main Building.

“Kallias,” he calls, ready to ask, but when Kallias turns around with a stony expression, Alexander decides it’s best not to piss off his new friend.

“Thank you.”

“See you tomorrow, idiot.”

Alexander can’t help smiling as he walks away. He must be messed up to enjoy being called ‘idiot’ this much.

The dining hall is, in a word, tense. In two words, very tense.

Alexander hears talk of the Trials at nearly every table, if not just distressed silence. It’s like everyone has suddenly realized the gravity of whatever is coming. Zeno and Eudoxos are quiet too, even though less than twelve hours ago they were joking about Lazarus’ intensity.

Alexander is jittery too, practically vibrating in his seat in fact, but not because of the Trials. He doesn’t even understand what the Trials are.

No, he’s jittery for half-past midnight tonight when he’s finally going to get some answers.

He robotically scarfs down his dinner, half listening to his friends, half intensely watching the ridiculously golden-haired enigma read a book like nothing abnormal is happening tonight. Kallias is entirely frustrating, has been all day.

“I was watching some old Trials on my ring yesterday with Ar— by myself,” Eudoxos says. “The team Trial in general doesn’t seem that hard, but the Cohort Leader needs their shit together.”

“Lazarus has his shit together, right?” Zeno asks.

“Does he?” Eudoxos says.

“Alex, what do you think?” Zeno asks, but Alexander doesn’t fully register it until Zeno pinches his arm. “Where are you today? I swear you’re on a different planet.”

“I’m here,” Alexander assures him, pointing under the table. “Look, feet on the ground.”

“That’s not what I’m talking about, you goof,” Zeno scoffs. Then he notices, “You’re looking at something. What are you looking at?”

Alexander quickly averts his gaze from Kallias, but it’s too late.