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“Should we head out?” Braxton asks.

I shake my head. “I’m going to hang back a bit,” I tell him, noting the way his eyes widen with surprise.But is it only surprise? Or is there a shade of suspicion as well?“I have something for Mason,” I add.

Braxton hesitates. Then, leaning toward me, he plants a soft kiss on my cheek. With his lips lingering next to my ear, he whispers, “Just think—tomorrow night, we’ll be in Venice.”

The moment he says it, everything inside me that felt rigid and tight instantly melts. Like I’ve finally rid myself of all the doubt that Killian managed to raise.

Why is it so easy for him to get in my head, when Braxton’s the only one I truly want to be with?

In Venice, we’ll finally be free of Elodie, Killian, and all the cloaked secrets concealed in these walls. To Braxton, I say, “I truly can’t wait.” And I hope he can see the truth of it—know in his heart that I mean every word.

Then I thread my arms around his neck and kiss him until his is the only face, the only body, the only voice that exists outside of my own.

After parting with the promise of meeting up on the launchpad tomorrow, I watch him go, and I can’t help but grin in anticipation of all the good things to come.

41

By the time Mason, Oliver, Finn, and I are heading back to our rooms, Mason takes my arm in his and says, “What was that about you saving me from hazing?”

I shoot a quick glance at Oliver and Finn, noting how deeply uncomfortable they look. Probably because they remember the role they played in my own brutal initiation.

“It’s nothing,” I say. Seeing no point in reliving it, I continue down the hall.

But Oliver won’t let it go. “Not so,” he says. “What she did on your behalfisa big deal.”

“Natasha is the only one to ever stand up to Elodie,” Finn adds.

Mason frowns. “That girl is toxic. And the only reason she gets away with it is because you all let her. An autocrat is only as strong as the people who support them.”

“Maybe so,” Oliver says. “But it’s not quite as simple as you make it sound.”

“You sure about that?” Mason asks. “I mean, why is everyone so afraid of her? What can she possibly do to you?”

“She’s been here the longest,” Finn says. “She has access to all sorts of things, and…” His voice fades as though he fears even talking about it.

“Sometimes it’s just easier to go along than risk facing her wrath,” Oliver adds.

“Look,” Finn says. “For as long as I’ve been here, Elodie’s been Arthur’s favorite.”

“True.” Oliver’s quick to confirm. “Though I’m not sure that’s still the case anymore.”

They all turn to me.

“What?” I stare back at them. “You think I’m the new favorite?”

“Sure seems that way,” Finn says.

“I’m pretty sure Arthur is Arthur’s favorite,” I tell him. “Also, why not start calling Elodie on her bullshit? What’s the worst that can happen?”

Oliver and Finn exchange a guarded look.

“Apparently, you’ve forgotten what happened to Song,” Finn says, only to be shushed by Oliver.

But now that he’s opened that door, I insist on kicking it all the way down. The fact that they don’t want to talk about it only confirms there’s more to Song’s absence than anyone’s willing to let on.

“What exactlydidhappen to Song?” I ask. “Because it seems like you know a lot more than you claim.”

“Who’s Song?” Mason glances between us, prompting Oliver to shoot a quick look over his shoulder, afraid of being overheard, while Finn jumps in to explain.