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44
After dressing for the day in a fresh Gray Wolf Academy sweatshirt I pull from a stack I found in a drawer (all of them disappointingly green), a pair of faded jeans, and running shoes, I open my door to find a boy standing outside, fingers curled into a fist that’s headed straight for my face.
“Whoa—sorry!” He stops himself mid-punch. “I was just about to knock. Your door, not your nose. Still, how’s that for timing?” He lowers his arm to his side and grins in a way that lights up his whole face. “Not my best move, considering we’ve met only briefly. But I wanted to introduce myself personally. I’m Jago.”
My eyes graze over him. He’s tall and lean, with a head of thick brown curls and eyes the color of topaz. I shoot a curious look at the package clasped in his hand.
“Found this sitting outside your door.” He hands me the bag. “I’m guessing it’s your slab.”
“Slab?”
He laughs. “Officially known as the Gray Wolf Academy Tablet. More commonly referred to as the slab. But don’t let Arthur hear you call it that. Or basically anyone else who’s not wearing a sweatshirt.”
“What is it?” I pull it free from its box and toss the packaging on the small table nearby.
“Think of it as your lifeline. It holds the day’s schedule, everyone’s name and room number. The inspirational quote of the day. A GPS system to help you find your way around. It’s all in there. There’s also a text function that allows us to message one another.”
I give it a dubious look. It’s barely bigger than a tarot card. “Can’t I just download an app on my phone and use that instead?”
“Your phone doesn’t work here.” His lips fall as flat as his gaze.
“Well, if I could get my hands on a charger, then—”
“Trust me, your phone’s as good as dead. The slab is your newest addiction. It holds everything you need—or rather, everything they think you need. Though be warned, your days of going live on the social feed of your choice are long over.”
“Looks like I missed my chance.” I shrug. “I never did anything worthy of an audience.”
“Same.” He laughs.
I meet Jago’s gaze. If his eyes are anything to go by, he’s so much warmer than he was the night I arrived. And so far, he’s the friendliest out of everyone I’ve met. That includes Braxton who, last night in the Moon Garden aside, veers much closer to the moon than the sun.
“You going down for breakfast?” Jago asks. When I nod, he says, “If you’re up for company, we can head that way now.”
I close the door behind me and walk alongside him. We’re halfway down the hall when I say, “Why is your sweatshirt yellow?”
He shoots me a sly sideways grin. “Because I’m on my way to blue, baby!” He pumps his fist in the air, which strikes me as funny, though a little out of place in such a refined atmosphere. Then, eyeing my own green sweatshirt, he says, “Don’t worry, you’ll get there. Probably sooner than you think.”
I give a half-hearted shrug. “I hope you’re right,” I groan. “I mean, I know it’s been only a day, but I’m already sick of being left out.”
Only, just after I say it, I realize it’s not entirely true. I’ve probably spent more time with Braxton than I have on my own. Still, after I nearly lost my mind in the Moon Garden last night, getting so swept away by his smart English accent and his ridiculous pretty face, that situation is starting to feel like a bit of a landmine.
“Listen—” Jago starts. After running a quick glance up and down the hall, he tips his lips toward my ear. “A word of advice that no one gave me?”
I lean closer, desperate for anything he can tell me about how to find my way here.
“There’s nothing normal about this academy. You’re going to see some really weird stuff here at Gray Wolf, but if you’re smart, you’ll choose your battles wisely, because there’s no use fighting a match that’s completely rigged against you.”
I swallow hard, nod for him to continue.
“That said, don’t ever lose sight of your value. And never allow yourself to forget that they need us more than we need them. Because the more they invest in you, the more reluctant they are to lose you.”
“Loseme?” My stomach clenches, my mouth goes dry. I have no idea what that means, but Jago pulls away so quickly, it’s clear he’s not about to explain.
