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“Should we invite the guys?” Fiona asked. “Between Kann and Torq both reaching out to their contacts, it seems we have one or both to thank.”
“Don’t forget Vyk,” Ariana said. “He’s also helping us.”
“No,” I said so loudly both women shot me startled looks. “Nothing ruins a good girls’ night like testosterone, right?”
Fiona nodded. “She makes an excellent point. Girls only.”
I released a breath. I could not bear to see Torq this soon. Not when even the thought of him still made my chest twist in pain. I forced myself to smile at Ariana, but her expression was shrewd. She knew better than anyone what it was like to carry on a secret relationship. The big difference was that her guy hadn’t been a liar. Her guy hadn’t ruined everything for her.
Chapter
Forty-Nine
Torq
“You don’t look so bad anymore.” Kort scrutinized my healing wounds from across the table.
The cadet dining hall was bustling, but we sat alone at the end of a long, wooden table. Since our misdeeds had been revealed—and our punishment that affected all Blades—we’d spent most meals alone, or with other first-years who’d been with us on the fateful night. I’d grown accustomed to the scathing looks and hostile grunts from other Blades, just as the pain from my injuries had faded over the days.
What hadn’t faded was the pain from what I’d inflicted on Jess. I despised myself for the cruel words I’d said to send her away, but I’d hoped the guilt would recede. It hadn’t. Every time I caught a glimpse of her, it was like a stab to my gut. Even worse? She wouldn’t spare me as much as a glance.
Her pale-haired friend didn’t bother to hide her hatred of me, though. She was generous with her glares and eyes narrowed into slits. I almost feared her more than I feared the vengeful Dom.
I met Kort’s gaze over our plates of grilled bread and fried gonji eggs. “Thanks.”
“Not that it matters what you look like, as long as you’re healed enough to compete in the battle.”
It felt like I’d sleepwalked my way through the last classes of the term, but the days had passed regardless, and the battle of the schools was upon us. I took a bite of my now-cooled bread and tried to feign enthusiasm for the final competition of the year that started the next day. “What does it matter how healed I am, since we have a delayed start?”
Kort’s gaze hardened. “We are still Blades, are we not? We still rush bravely into the most hopeless battles and defend our people from the fiercest foes.”
I straightened, as I realized that I was allowing myself to forget that I was still a Blade; I was still Drexian. “You are right.”
Kort gave me a sharp nod. “The Blades have won many times. Maybe it is a kindness to the other schools that we will be delayed.”
I couldn’t help smiling at my friend. He had never lost his optimism, even when the other Blades had ostracized us. Of course, he hadn’t discovered that his brother was a disgraced killer, or that another cadet was bent on getting revenge on him for it. He hadn’t been forced to give up the one bright spot in his life to keep her safe. He hadn’t broken the one truly good thing that had happened to him.
A pair of Blades stomped by us, scowling and muttering curses as they passed.
“I do not think our Blade brothers agree with you.”
“They will not feel the same way when we lead our school to victory.” Kort took a sip from his goblet. “That is why we must win, and why it is good that you are healed.”
I had told Kort that my bloodied face and bruised body were courtesy of Dom, but I hadn’t told him why. I had no reason to protect my brother, but there was something in me that could not admit that my clan had brushed a murder aside so easily. He would not judge me, but I still could not voice the truth. Not when I’d been raised to believe in the superiority of my clan. Not when everything I’d been told was based on lies and dishonor.
I took a swig from my own goblet and let the cold fruity drink slide down my throat. “Do you have a plan for achieving this win, considering the rest of our school wants nothing to do with us?”
“The way I figure it, it is an advantage that the other Blades will not include us.” He lowered himself closer to the table as he dropped his voice. “That way when we go off on our own, they will not notice.”
“We still know little about the battle,” I reminded him.
“We know that it takes place outside of the academy walls and usually traverses the terrain surrounding the school. We know that we will be given clues that lead us to the eventual destination. We also know that the entire school does not need to reach the end together. Only one cadet is enough.”
I shook my head, my faith in his confidence fading. “But we will start after the other schools. We will discover the clues at the same time as the other Blades. I see no advantage.”
Kort twitched one shoulder, as if none of my points mattered. “We are Blades. We are the bravest and the strongest.”
I did not feel very brave or strong anymore, but I would not tell my friend. “I am glad I am on your team, brother.”
