Page 174 of Eternal Ruin

“He’s awake too.”

Good.

“How did you know?” Kidan asked. “To come.”

Slen walked to her violins, tracing the strings so they thrummed out a chord.

“I know because Makary House fought to have Samson released early from Drastfort. They wanted him to distract you from the votes.”

A pulse jumped in Kidan’s ear, ringing for a long while.

To distract her… all the things Samson had done—killed Etete, tortured Susenyos, and nearly killed her, weren’tjusta distraction, they’d been true and utter hell.

The betrayal must have been plain on Kidan’s face because Slen flicked her gaze away. “I just found out tonight.”

“I don’t believe that.” Kidan’s eyes narrowed. “I thought the 13th listened to you.”

A vein tightened along Slen’s forehead. A new bruise shone along the side of her face, just by her chin. A dark purple that couldn’t be more than a day old.

Feeling Kidan’s questioning gaze, Slen spoke. “I was attacked by a vampire from House Rojit two days ago. Your supporters.”

“What?” Kidan’s voice rose, sensing the accusation. “I never told them to do anything—”

“I believe you,” Slen said, her flat eyes filled with intention. “The same way I didn’t tell the 13th to release Samson.”

Kidan’s mouth shut just as it’d opened.

The 13th and the Dirt Diggers seemed to have their own agendas and if they weren’t controlled, they would only cause more chaos.

“I’ll talk to them,” Kidan said forcefully. “They won’t hurt you.”

Light crossed Slen’s granite eyes before she blinked, and darkness returned. “This is bigger than us.”

“Yeah, I’m starting to see that.” Kidan walked to the window, parting the curtains to see night had fallen.

Had she slept the whole day?

In the glass, she saw a ghost. Warm brown eyes and a handsome face. Finger bones crinkling. Kind beyond belief. She’d used fire to melt countless objects, forging them into weapons and she’d done the same to GK, taken his dead body and infused it with vampire blood.

But she could fix everything now. Because one good thing had come out of all of this.

The Nefrasi hideout—an estate in Drummond North.

GK was out there, and if Samson left, they wouldn’t have much time.

“I know where GK is,” Kidan said slowly. “I’m going to bring him back.”

Though she expected it, Slen’s silence hurt.

“Come with me,” Kidan couldn’t help but ask.

Slen’s reflection climbed on the window. Kidan studied her long enough for the hairs on the back of her neck to stand.

“You know I can’t do that,” Slen said. “Don’t tell Yusef either. Samson knows your weakness. He will use us against you like last time.”

A sad smile touched Kidan’s lips. Maybe Slen wasn’t completely lost yet. A part of her still cared. Why else would she have saved Kidan from Samson? The events of the day had unveiled something for them both. Petty rivalries between lessons and house masters didn’t matter at all if they weren’t safe. And how quickly theybecame unsafe, forgetting they were humans playing in the jaws of lions. Kidan had put Slen above Uxlay from the day they sat by those secluded stairs and shared their murders. And Kidan had the sense that, today, Slen had made a similar choice.

It was an unspoken thing between them. Something this ancient institution wouldn’t forgive them for. Something Kidan held deep inside her, a secret hope.