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“Hera did break into a locked filing room. That sort of thing can make the Warden testy.”
Deacon shook his head after a moment. “No, this is more. If she was just annoyed, she’d have punished Hera then let it go. Instead, it’s like…it’s like Hera is a bug the Warden is interested in. She wants to see what she’ll do next.”
I frowned. Gaining the interest of the Warden wasn’t good for anyone. I’d met the woman a time or two—once when I’d first arrived, since voids were uncommon—and she sent shivers up my spine.
Then again, that was the type of person needed when dealing with an academy full of creatures who wanted to kill her, and worse, who had every ability to do so if they got the chance.
Still, it being unexpected didn’t change that it was bad, that it was asking for trouble.
The last thing Hera needed when planning an escape with us was being shadowed by the person in charge.
“Any idea why she’s so interested?”
“Hera’s numbers are off the chart. Maybe that’s why?”
I shook my head. “There are other high-level shades, and she’s only sent Hera to Medical twice. If she really wanted to use those skills, she’d send Hera to the North Tower for special training.”
Deacon swung his head toward me, his eyes narrowed. “You know about special training?”
“Information is a lot easier to get than people think. If there’s one thing to trust in Larkwood, it’s that nothing stays a secret.” Besides, they’d wanted to put me into special training when I’d first arrived.
I still recalled the brief attempt at that, back when they’d known little about voids, when they’d thought I’d be able to do things they wanted me to do. It had quickly turned out that I was far less useful than they’d expected. Voids needed to get up close and personal with targets, and we were pretty vulnerable until then.
Still, they hadn’t wanted to kill me as they normally did those who failed special training, since a void had some use, so they’d thrown me back into general population.
“You’re right,” Deacon said softly. “If Warden just wanted to use her powers or test them, she could do something more than using Kit to train her. And if she wanted information on the high source levels, the North Tower has far better science labs than Medical does.”
“Which means the Warden wants Heraherefor some reason,and not in the North Tower.” I ran my fingersthrough my hair, trying to push the curly locks from my eyes.
Deacon nodded. “That’s about as much as I can figure.” He lifted his arm to glance at his watch, the anxiety clear.
“You sure you’re good for her?” I asked.
“I’m sure that isn’t your business.”
“She’s my friend.”
“Just a friend?” Deacon turned toward me, one dark eyebrow raised. “Don’t forget, I’m good at spotting lies.”
I gestured at myself, using all the self-deprecating humor I could muster to drive home my point. “Look at me—do you really think I’m dumb enough to think I have a shot? She’s got a lot bigger game than me on her hook.”
It wasn’t entirely true, but it wasn’t false, either.
He turned away from me again, gazing forward at the far wall. “She’s like a drug. Doesn’t matter how bad we might be for each other, I can’t quit her.”
Boy, did that sound familiar…
Hera was dangerous and associating with her was a huge risk—for everyone. She was reckless, headstrong and far too tempting. Just look at how her presence had caused chaos in Larkwood.
She’d caused problems between Knox and Brax, she’d gotten me sent to solitary, she’d gotten herself thrown in solitary and Deacon followed her around like a puppy.
A dangerous, lethal, muscular puppy with a bad attitude, at least.
And yet no matter how much I knew that, I couldn’t seem to keep my distance. Hell, I didn’twantto keep my distance.
So I got what he meant.
“So you’re ready to pay the price?”
