Page 50 of Ondine: Vol. 2

“Yes, you are strong.”

I’m not sure if they are ready for this, but I go for it anyway, because it’s why I’m here.

“I have a van out front. It can fit fifteen, maybe more. I’m on my way to the monastery up the canyon. It’s where I chose to go instead of this school when I was your age. They help alphas. Even feral ones. They offer room and board for anyone who wants to come.”

Simon looks angry. Like I’m insulting his family.

“Are you trying to recruit us?”

“I’m offering you a choice. Something you may not have. They don’t hit you, at the monastery. They don’t starve you. They don’t fill your head with nonsense day and night until you can’t hear your own thoughts over the sound of Man-ho’s words. They can protect you. And they’ll prepare you for life as an adult. So, yes, I’m here to offer you a choice.”

Everyone is silent.

“It sounds like paradise,” Simon says sarcastically.

I laugh. I remember why I didn’t stay at this school all those years ago—it sounded too good to be true.

“There’s a lot of meditating. And hiking. And reading. And you have to do all your own cleaning. And volunteering in the lavender fields. You have to care for the old guys, who can’t take care of themselves anymore. There’s no cell service.”

I can’t think of anything else that’s terrible to show them I’m not hiding anything.

“Listen, I’ll leave my contact information. If you ever want something different. Call me. You can come to the monastery now, but just know that I am here to help. And you know what you need more than I do.”

I look as many boys in the eye as I can. To show them I can help. No one moves. I walk up to the boy holding Killer, and he hands her off. I leave the room and find a paper on the front deskand scribble my name and number on it. Simon is nearby, as he follows me out of the hall. I hand him the paper.

“It was nice to meet you, Simon.”

He looks a bit bewildered.

I tip my chin and leave.

Sebastian stays silent as we sit in the van for thirty minutes, just waiting. It’s dark now, and the drive is going to be long.

Simon comes walking out of the school and up to my window. I roll it down.

“There’s some kids who are singled out here. By Man-ho. We can’t protect them anymore and their injuries are getting worse.” I notice some kids filing out of the school.

“If I send them with you, will they be safe?”

I let my alpha influence grow outwards until he feels it. “They will be safe,” I promise and it rings like an oath.

He’s never felt anything like that before, I can tell, because of how startled it makes him.

“We also need some things. Things that aren’t allowed here. Headphones. Candy.” He pauses, then adds. “Hormones.”

He’s still a kid, so headphones and candy are important. The hormones are probably for the feral kids. Man-ho is probably trying to beat them into submission rather than using drug therapy.

“Send me a list,” I tell him.

We stare at each for a beat. He’s hoping I can be trusted.

He takes a drop breath and turns to the boys gathering behind him. Five of them. He tells them things. Private things. He presses his forehead to each of them, and then tells them to get into the van.

Five. Five out of fifty.

I’ll save them all, I decide.

I’ll save them all. Eventually.