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Wanting to make good use of my last moments of freedom, at least for the next two weeks, I headed straight to the Repository. I knew Genie would be there with Nathan, and I needed to let them know about the deep crap I’d just dunked them in. My heart beat rapidly on the walk over, more afraid of their reaction than when I’d stepped into Victoria’s office.

As I pushed through one of the towering doorways, I froze on the spot. Genie and Nathan were by the window next to a dozing Atlas, who’d obviously been allowed out of his orb for a bit. Their arms were around each other, lips locked in a private kiss. Genie was running her hands through his hair, while he seemed to be a little more restrained, cupping her face in true rom-com style. My jaw dropped. Slowly, I turned to creep away, but Boudicca had other ideas. She unleashed a piercing squeak that shot a javelin of awkwardness through their romantic moment. Atlas, lifting his huge head, let out a series of snorts that sounded a lot like laughter before gently nudging Genie in the back.

“Hey, can’t you see we’re having a mo—” The words died on her lips as she saw me. The two of them had probably gotten used to the pixies trying to antagonize them and had taken to ignoring any and all distractions.

I gave a stupid wave. “I can go, if you want? I… uh… didn’t mean to interrupt.”

Nathan jumped away from Genie as though he’d been smacked, smoothing his hands through his ruffled hair to try and flatten some unruly strands. His glasses were foggy, his cheeks burning a mortified crimson. He put out his hand to help Genie up, and then brushed a mote of something off her cheek.

“All good, nothing to see here,” he babbled. “I’ve really got to stop leaving those treat boxes open. The crumbs get everywhere.”

I stifled a giggle, wishing I had better news to bring them. I didn’t want to burst their bubble. “It’s okay, you don’t have to pretend. I think it’s… nice. Really nice. Not that I ever want to walk in on that again. I just came by to tell you something, and I’m sorry that I didn’t consult you first. I thought you might try to talk me out of it.”

The mood turned suddenly serious, until Cynane leapt from one of Atlas’s horns onto his snout, eliciting a sneeze from my monster. A puff of flames jetted out of his nostrils, hitting Spartacus in the leg as he hovered in front of Atlas. Spartacus yelped, grabbing his leg and blowing on the faint streak of soot where he’d been singed, then shooting a sour glare at Cynane, who had collapsed in a fit of hysterics. Boudicca, meanwhile, flew toward me and landed on my shoulder, evidently sensing that hijinks weren’t welcome for what I was about to say.

“What’s wrong?” Nathan pressed, one arm sliding casually around Genie’s waist. I guessed they’d taken some big steps in their blossoming relationship without me realizing it. Then again, I had been majorly distracted these past few days. Little green men could’ve come down in shiny spaceships and abducted half the population of the Institute, and I probably wouldn’t have noticed.

With Boudicca giving me a chirp of encouragement and Atlas tilting his head downward in an approving nod, I relayed my encounter with Victoria, and the punishments we could all expect as a result. It wasn’t a long story, but by the time I was done, the air had been sucked out of the room.

“I’m so sorry, but I had to do it. I had to know,” I said quietly. “And one thing is clear—I don’t trust this place anymore. Victoria is keeping secrets, and I don’t know how far down the rabbit hole they go.”

Genie puffed out a strained breath. “Well, that’s not the kind of Victoria’s Secret I like.”

“Um… no.” Nathan reddened further, and I was grateful to Genie for defusing some of the tension. “I happen to feel the same way—about the Institute holding back, I mean!” He rubbed his glasses on his shirt, thinking. “The moment I discovered that awful curse in her Grimoire, I knew she wasn’t the person I’d thought she was. It has haunted me since. But I would still like answers as to why she cursed Reid. There’s something we’re missing here.”

I nodded. “And the one with possible answers still isn’t replying to my texts.”

“Then we find him and get him to talk. I’m sure Atlas can warm up his toes until he feels chatty,” Genie suggested, scratching between the monster’s horns. “And we should probably get to him before his pals decide to come after us for a second round.”

As new horizons went, I sensed there was a storm brewing on ours.