Chapter 35
SADIE
“It’s not good enough,” Rogue yelled, her sharp cry echoing off the criss-crossing staircases and the tall ceiling above the foyer as Elix, Paige, and I flowed up the stone steps into the academy.
We weren’t the only ones walking in a daze; a shell-shocked air had settled over the academy in the wake of Beaufort kidnapping Serendipity.
“Back to your rooms, everyone,” Mortem shouted over the hubbub. “Don’t dawdle, come on now.”
But Paige, Elix, and I exchanged a glance, and by silent agreement, we crossed the foyer to Rogue. She wasn’t part of our friend group, not really, but she stood alone facing Reed, Sidonie, and two other professors I hadn’t yet met.
“I’m sorry, Rogue, but our decision is final,” Reed said, arms crossed over her chest. “Senior hunters only. You’ll hear news the moment we have it, but right now you’re in our way.”
“And I’ll stay in your way until you let me join the search team,” Rogue snarled, her voice as sharp as a scythe. Her eyes were equally keen, ringed with red evidence of tears that had since dried up. There was something feral and out of control about her. “I’m not backing down, Reed, I mean it.”
“I understand, girl, I do. But you’re being a nuisance. The longer we stand here arguing—”
Her sister stepped in, clasping Rogue’s arm and attempting to tow her away. Sidonie’s expression was nothing but compassionate, but I watched it rub Rogue the wrong way. “Let’s go to the common room. We can have a nice cup of tea while the forest is searched.”
I glanced at Elix and Paige, all three of us still in our dresses for the Hunter’s Ball, and whispered, “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
Paige nodded, her lips in a grim line. She mouthed, sneak out?
Elix nodded. And maybe we were all idiots, but we’d been hunted by a man who’d taught us and been tasked with keeping us safe. We couldn’t trust anyone in this place; what if he had an accomplice, and none of these tutors actually wanted Serendipity found?
I leaned forward, lightly touched Rogue’s shoulder to draw her attention. “There’s no need, Sidonie,” I said, and hoped she didn’t see through my smooth demeanour to the lies. “We’ll see her to the hall and make sure she’s taken care of.”
Sidonie’s gaze softened as she looked at the three of us, as if we were lovely young girls and not plotting against them.
We left them in the foyer, hurrying down a quiet corridor.
“I’m not sitting in the dining hall or any damn common room while—” Rogue began, each word bitten off.
We’re sneaking you out, Elix said, a fierceness joining the sympathy and fear that had turned her paler.
“How many weapons do you have?” I asked.
“On my body?” Rogue glanced down at the sumptuous blue velvet dress that hugged her curves. “Three. But I know where we can find more. No one will be watching the armoury right now.”
“Then we have a plan,” Paige said, her usual humour hidden, hardened. “Ransack the armoury, then rescue your sister.”
Rogue swallowed, and looked into all our faces. “Why?”
“Because it could have been any of us,” I said, remembering the intensity I’d felt from Beaufort when he found me in the forest. Had he planned to kill me then?
To kill Rev and me both? Reed might have saved our lives that night, and never known it.
“Because unless that prick is found, it could still be any of us.”
I didn’t relish the thought of hurting anyone else, but when Rogue bared her fangs and said, “Let’s go kill this fucker,” I found myself nodding.