Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 117246 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 586(@200wpm)___ 469(@250wpm)___ 391(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117246 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 586(@200wpm)___ 469(@250wpm)___ 391(@300wpm)
During the second half of class, we practiced fighting a hologram. I gained fresh bruises and cuts on my left hand. They were small and had already stopped bleeding, but I should probably get them looked at . . .
After the bell rang, I made my way to medical, a pep in my step. A smile spread when I spotted Shiloh. He was alone, reclining on a gurney, typing into a digital file. He looked so good. Like his normal self. Relaxed and happy.
“Hey,” I called, leaning into the lobby counter. No sign of the HP, thank goodness.
Shiloh glanced up, a return smile lifting the corners of his mouth. “Hey.” He jumped to his feet, set the file aside, and crossed to me. “How was your first realm walk?”
“Better and worse than expected. How are you?”
“Great. I continue to test negative, and I’ve figured out my future.”
“Shiloh, that’s wonderful.”
He smiled again, his eyes sparkling at their brightest setting. “If you go on a date with me Thursday, I’ll tell you all about it.”
“Deal.” I beamed at him, pleased with the outcome. “Before I go, can I snag a couple bandages? For my hand.” I showed him the “damage,” winning a third smile, this one teasing.
“I should wrap you up to ensure infection doesn’t set in. You’ll be late to class, but I’ll send a note to the HP excusing your tardiness. He’ll understand. This is practically an emergency.”
“Lifesaving medical care.” I hightailed it around the counter, thrilled to steal this moment with him.
I eased onto the gurney he’d abandoned and watched him gather supplies. While relocating the file he’d left behind, I caught the name and frowned. Lady Lemon Ade.
“Did a new recruit arrive?” Someone who just happened to be named after our code word?
“No.” He offered nothing more on the topic. After cleaning my cuts, he rolled a bandage around my knuckles. “I’ve learned an irrefutable truth.”
Curiosity engaged. “About . . . ?”
“Cured.” He paused to sign into my unbandaged palm, “Evil.”
My blood flash froze. “Did something happen?” Because he wasn’t—couldn’t be—inferring what I thought he might be inferring.
He didn’t explain. Instead, he released me and put up the supplies. “We’ll talk on our date.”
“But—”
Dr. Korey opened a door and stuck out her head, her gaze zeroing in on me as if she’d known I was here. “Don’t you have somewhere to be, Lady Roosa?”
“My hand. Cuts.” I showed her the bandage. A bell sounded, signaling the start of my evaluation. “But yes, you’re right, I do have somewhere to be.” I glanced at Shiloh.
“I won’t forget to send the HP a note about your tardiness,” he assured me, as if all were normal.
“Thank you.” I zipped off, unsure how to feel about our interaction. He’d called Cured evil. Something only Soalians did.
“—practice the art of the attack,” the HP was telling the class when I slipped into the room. His cheek was no longer covered by a bandage. A large scab marred the center of his brand. “I will make the rounds and ask questions about your performance in Theirland. You will answer.”
He offered no rebuke, just motioned me over, where an unoccupied punching bag hung in a row of twenty.
He positioned himself behind me, quietly asking, “What did you do to your hand?”
“Cuts. You’ll get a note from—”
“I know how the system works,” he interjected. “You’re good?”
I almost believed he cared. Yes, almost. “I am, thank you.” Resentment dripped from the words, and I couldn’t hide it. “What would you like to know about Theirland?”
“We’ve already discussed it.” His voice hardened as he commanded, “Work on your technique. When you go on the offensive, strike first and strike hard.”
“Sir, yes, sir.” I executed a punch.
He readjusted my position and helped me execute several dirty jabs, the warmth of his palms a shock. “If there’s something you’d like to tell me, Pink, do it. Speak.”
What a loaded command. Uttered in his low, husky tone, no less. I opened and closed my mouth, but only little noises escaped. I wanted to say a thousand things, but none of them were wise.
“Never mind. If you aren’t brave enough to admit it, I don’t want to hear it.” Cyrus strode off, leaving me baffled. And frustrated. My cauldron threatened to boil over.
The rest of class passed in a blur, my head filling up with a thousand different possibilities about what he’d meant. When the bell rang, he announced, “Tutoring won’t begin until tomorrow.” Then he left. Which was fine. Whatever.
I directed my attention elsewhere, rolling thoughts about Theirland through my mind as I ate lunch, completed Madness Basics, and took my first driving class. The realm was dangerous and shrouded in mystery. Someone lived in a well-lit castle. There was no evidence of the Rock, yet the streets were overrun with feeders in far worse condition than anyone in Ourland. Sometimes, berries grew on the ground, rather than the top of the Rock.