Page 22 of Colton

“Will do,” Celine says, then looks away.

“Good. I don’t have to tell you what’s at stake if the word gets out about our shared… business. Go through your clientele thoroughly, and mark those who have lost a lot and feel like they have nothing left to lose.”

“I don’t understand why they’d be robbing places, though,” Stefan says, speaking for the first time since the meeting started.

“Because robberies make the papers, the news. They’re doing it for the effect, to get our attention,” Abraxas says, his voice calm and collected.

“They sure have succeeded,” Artemis breathes out. “Also, note down anyone who’s had any grudges against our families.”

“Our list got a lot longer,” Serena sighs. “No one says this outright, but we aren’t that well liked. People are grateful for our contributions, sure, and the fact that the living standard is better than anywhere else in the States, but they feel like the gates should go down.”

I blink. “Excuse me?”

“I’ve heard it, too. They think it’s too dystopian,” Clyde says. “Even though I’ve been spreading around the fact that if the gates were to come down, everything would change.”

There’s a beat of silence, and just as I’m about to speak, Artemis’ phone buzzes. She smiles, sheepishly, then looks at her phone. For a moment, she seems too invested in whatever it is that she’s reading about, and even Blake peeks over her shoulder.

“Really?” He deadpans. “That website again?”

“What?” Artemis scoffs. “It’s good gossip.”

“Remind me to get it taken down again once I’m back at the Academy,” I roll my eyes.

“It’s pointless,” Serena shrugs. “It always goes back up. It won’t stop appearing until the person behind it is apprehended.”

“Good luck with that,” Artemis shuts off her phone, tucking it in the pocket of her leather jacket. “They’ve been good at hiding themselves, I doubt they’d just let you take them down.”

◆◆◆

“Hey, Colton, wait!”

Artemis’ voice reaches me, and I halt. The rest have already left, and it’s just Artemis and me left now. She picks up the pace, catching up with me, then breathes out. She falls into step beside me, glancing at me sideways.

“One of my people at the gates contacted me,” she says. “Avalon is here.”

I halt, turning sharply to look at her. Everything is still around us, except for the wind that blows her hair back. Something in my chest tightens, and I’m not certain if it’s excitement or just worry.

“Excuse me? How did she get in? She doesn’t have the entrance card.”

Avalon quirks a brow. “How would you know that?”

My mouth clamps shut — she has a point. It’s not something I should know, but somehow, I spent my entire car ride here looking into Avalon. I shouldn’t have, but it was something I couldn't control. I need to know every detail of her life, both before she came to the academy, and after.

“How did she come here, Artemis?” I ask again.

She continues walking, and I follow suit. “She used Sophia Sloane’s card. Both she and Grace Lennon are here. They checked into the Silvester Hotel.”

“How many nights?”

“One, maybe two. They wouldn’t risk more than that, since they would need a doctor's note to justify their absence.”

“It’s easy; Lennon’s are doctors.”

“Yeah, but I highly doubt Avalon would do that. Do you need me to keep an eye out for them?”

I shake my head, just as Dan pulls up with the same car he used to drop me off. “No need, I’ll handle it myself.”

“Good, and also,” she smiles cheekily, opening the door. “You’re my ride.”