He held up his hands, shaking his head, but Nadia interrupted.
“Actually, I have one for him too. Rusty Harris?” she asked. “Let me see your cuff.”
He turned and smiled. Nadia scanned his wrist, then produced another badge and a wooden box, this one much larger than mine.
“Open it,” she said.
Rusty opened the lid and looked inside. “Cool.” His mouth twisted. “What . . . are they?”
“They’re pins. Pull them out and have a look,” Nadia said.
He lifted a clear bag filled with thousands of shiny metal pins. “What do they do?”
She looked at him like he was dense. “They pin onto a tunic.” She opened the bag and handed him one.
“Right . . .” Rusty studied the pin, his forehead furrowed. “And I’m getting these because—?”
“Because you’ll be handing them out at the Commencement Ceremony,” Slade said, taking one from the bag and turning it over in his hands.
Rusty made a face and held up the pin. “Let me get this straight—Lark gets super high-tech, awesome camera lenses, and I get—commemorative pins?”
Nadia bit her lip to hide a smile as Slade slapped him on the back. “Look on the bright side, kid. You could be getting dirt, like those Botany students over there.”
We followed the direction of his gaze to where a group of Recruits, including Isabel, were being handed bags of soil.
I tilted my head, resisting the urge to snicker. “He’s got a point.”
Rusty pointed a finger at me. “Don’t start. How many pins do I have to trade you for those lenses?”
I held up my hands. “No way. If you want this camera you’re going to have to pry it off my face.”
One side of his mouth lifted roguishly. “Don’t tempt me.”
Gideon cleared his throat, stepping forward. “Now that you guys have your stuff, we should probably move out of the way for the other Recruits.”
Nadia glanced behind us and raised her eyebrows. “Looks like lunch is over.”
I turned and saw a long line of Recruits waiting. I looked back and gave her a smile. “Thanks for the stuff.”
She winked. “And don’t forget your badges. You and Captain Harris are supposed to wear them at all times while on campus. Just put it wherever you want on your tunic and it will stay there.”
My shoulders slumped, but I obediently stuck the tag to the front of my tunic. Rusty did the same.
“Don’t we look special?” he teased.
I rolled my eyes. “Just what I always wanted.”
“You’ll get used to it,” Gideon said, taking me by the elbow to guide me past the increasingly crowded lines. “We’ll go somewhere quieter to explain your responsibilities.”
“Good idea.” Crowds weren’t really my thing.
The four of us made our way to the front entry where we’d first come in that morning. It seemed like days ago.
Gideon studied my face. “You look tired. Let’s find someplace comfortable to sit down.”
“How about that group of chairs there?” Rusty asked, pointing to soft chairs positioned near a bank of high windows.
We followed him over and as soon as I sank down into one, I let out a sigh. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I don’t usually get this tired.”
“It might have something to do with the fact that our days on Lior are three hours longer than yours on Earth,” Gideon said.
My eyes widened. “Seriously?”
“You never told me that.” Rusty frowned at Slade.
Slade shrugged and brushed off his uniform. “You’re on a different planet now. Expect things to be different.”
I gave Rusty a look, inwardly grateful Gideon was my Guardian. Slade was good-looking, but other than that I couldn’t see why Nadia was crushing on him. He was kind of a jerk.
“It will take you a while to get used to the new schedule,” Gideon said. “I’ll try to make this brief so you can have time to rest. Now that we’ve got a second, I’ll explain your responsibilities, unless Slade wants to do the honors?” He turned, but Slade shook his head, leaning back in his chair.
“I think I’ll take a nap. Wake me up when it’s my turn,” he said, his eyelids already closed.
Gideon turned to me. “As Lieutenant Hardcastle explained, you’re here to be a recorder, as well as Team Captain. You and Captain Harris will be visiting the classes of the Recruits. Your job is to record everything you see, and to take notes during each class. You’ll also serve as a motivator for your classmates. Your instructions are to leave your screens recording at all times while on campus.”
“All the time?” Suddenly I realized why Gideon hadn’t looked happy about my camera. I would have to be careful in the way I interacted with him if everything was recorded.
“Yes.” He held my gaze. Which totally sucks.
I gave a small nod and he continued as though he’d never used Mindspeak, “While you’re visiting the classes, talk to the Recruits, interact with them, and encourage them to do well in training. A few days before the Commencement Ceremony, you will give the lenses back to Nadia. She’ll edit the footage and create a video montage for the ceremony.”
“Sounds good.” This I could do.
“Go ahead and start recording if you haven’t already.”
“Oh.” I realized I’d never hit the off button. “It’s already recording. How much battery life do these lenses have?”
“That doesn’t apply to our technology. You can leave them on as long as you want.”
Gideon glanced to Slade who had his head leaned back and was snoring softly. “Looks like I’ll be explaining your responsibilities, Captain Harris.”
Rusty gave him a nod. “Thanks. And you can call me Rusty if you want. I noticed you call Lark by her first name.”
Gideon’s brow furrowed. “You’re right. My mistake.” He squared his jaw. “You will be joining Captain Taylor in visiting the training classes. You are also encouraged to get to know the other Recruits and to motivate them to do their best.” He leaned forward and lowered his voice. “As I told you before, only the two of you are aware of what’s at stake if your program doesn’t succeed.”
Rusty’s expression grew serious. “I’ll do my best.”
Gideon nodded and sat back. “At the Commencement Ceremony, Captain Taylor will give a congratulatory speech and explain that each of the Recruits will receive pins for completing the unit.”
“A speech?” I felt the blood drain from my face. “To the entire Academy?”
Rusty reached over and touched my knee. “Don’t stress, you’ll do great.”
“You’re just saying that because you’re not the one doing it.”
“Yeah. Not gonna lie—I’m glad you got that instead of me.”
I slapped his hand off my knee and he laughed.
Gideon cleared his throat and I turned to him with a sigh. “So, we build up our classmates, take video, notes, and give a speech. Is that all?”
“In addition to the daily study of the books you’ve been given, that pretty much sums it up,” Gideon answered.
Rusty turned to me. “You have books too?”
I opened my bag and retrieved them, holding up the Bible and U.S. History book for him to see.
He reached into his bag, pulling out a worn Bible and a book with a yellow and black cover.
I snorted as I read the title. “Law School for Dummies?”
“Hey,” he held the book to his chest, “don’t mock. I’ll have you know this is a book no pre-Harvard law student should be without.”
I smiled and eyed his Bible. “Looks like that’s been well read.”
“It’s my mom’s. Slade gave these books to me this morning—apparently, he took them from my house on Recruitment Day. I don’t know how he found them. We had our books hidden in a secret place in our basement to protect them from Inspections.” He shook his head. �
��Mom’s going to miss it.” He turned the worn Bible in his hands, his hazel eyes tight.
My throat constricted. A sudden wave of homesickness filled me as I placed my hand on his knee. “She’d be happy to know you’re reading it.”
Rusty gave me a half-smile and nodded. “I just wish I could tell her it’s safe with me . . . that I’m safe.”
Gideon slid his palms down his pants and stood. “You’ll both begin training first thing tomorrow.”
I tilted my head, trying to catch his eye to read what was going on, but he avoided my gaze.
“I’ve got somewhere to be,” he said. “You can hang out here until school is over, just stay with Slade.” Without waiting for a response, he spun on his heel and walked swiftly toward the elevators.
“That was abrupt,” Rusty said. “I thought Guardians were supposed to stay with their Recruits at all times . . . even if they have to sleep through it.” He gestured to Slade.
My brow wrinkled as I watched Gideon move aside for a group of Recruits getting off the elevator. A couple of girls in the group giggled to each other when he nodded at them. He stepped into the elevator without looking back.
“Yeah,” my eyes remained on the elevator doors long after they’d closed, “so did I.”
CHAPTER
Eighteen
That night I lay on my bed and looked up at the colorful stars. I was exhausted, but still hadn’t changed into my pajamas. Even though my body was tired, my mind was alive with unanswered questions.
I hadn’t seen Gideon since he’d left me with Rusty and Slade. Nadia had come to get me after school, saying Gideon was too busy. He hadn’t even been at dinner. Was he avoiding me? The thought made my heart ache like it was being twisted in knots.
I rolled over on my bed once and then sat up. I refused to spend the limited amount of time I had pining away over someone that I didn’t have a chance with. I stood and marched over to the vanity mirror, pointing a finger at my reflection. “Lark, you are not doing this, understood? It ends here.”
I gave a firm nod, and then walked out onto the balcony. It only took one deep inhale of the invigorating night air to help me make up my mind. I went back into my room and stuffed my sheets with pillows until they looked like a sleeping form. Next, I found a black tunic and pants and put them on, covering my head with a dark shawl I’d found on a hook behind my door.
I would stay on the Norths’ property. If I was smart about it, I could sneak out for a little while each night and no one would ever be the wiser.
I swung my leg over the railing and felt for the grips on the ladder. I grinned in the darkness. This was too easy—almost like they wanted me to sneak out. A rush of adrenaline surged through me as I scaled down the ladder in silence. For once, I was grateful for my lack of light. It helped keep my cover. I’d made it almost two-thirds of the way down when the quiet strains of music made me stop cold. I hugged myself into the wooden rungs as my heart sputtered at a frantic pace.
Tilting my head just enough to look for the source of music, I saw Gideon. He was with Villy on the lower balcony that led off the dining room. She sat contentedly swaying in a rocking chair as he played his guitar for her. His dark hair fell across his forehead as he strummed the gentle chords of what sounded like a lullaby.
“Sing the words,” Villy said. Her wrinkled face softened and her eyelids fluttered closed as Gideon began to sing.
He sang the words in his language, his voice deep and slightly husky. A warm sensation stirred in my lower belly. I had the maddening desire to hear him sing in Mindspeak. I bit my lip to squelch the desire and continued to watch him. It was such a tender scene that I felt like an intruder. Did I make a beeline back up the ladder to my room, or risk climbing down and getting caught?
My arms and calf muscles burned as I clung to the ladder. All Gideon had to do was look up, and I was toast. I couldn’t claim that I didn’t know the rules this time. If I got caught, it could be the end of my adventures here for good.
A nervous sweat broke out over my upper lip. What was I thinking? There was too much at stake for me to risk it all just so I could explore. I held my breath and crept back up the ladder. After what felt like eternity, I swung back over the railing and landed on the floor of the balcony, taking in several deep breaths. I stretched out my muscles and leaned back over the railing. I couldn’t see the lower balcony from this vantage point. And—oddly enough—I couldn’t hear the music anymore.
A whinny sounded from the stable below. I looked longingly in that direction and sighed before going back into my bedroom. I knew I should climb into bed, but I couldn’t seem to sit still. I paced the room, careful not to look at the dresser where I’d buried Lord Krane’s calling card. Just thinking about that encounter made me nauseated. I wished I could talk to my mom or Reagan. Thinking of home reminded me of the books I needed to study.
I flopped onto the bed and pulled the Bible from my bag. It wasn’t nearly as worn as Rusty’s copy, but if reading it had the potential to help my people, that was about to change.
I flipped open the leather cover and turned to Leviticus. I wanted to look up the reference I’d seen on the Liberty Bell: “Proclaim liberty to all nations.” I flipped through the pages when a noise on the balcony made me start.
I caught a pink flash out of the corner of my eye and my heart stopped, remembering Lord Krane’s freakish pink eyes. Then a blue light flashed and I slowly stood from the bed, stepping cautiously forward. I blew out a breath and my shoulders sank in relief. It was a jar filled with fireflies perched on the railing. I tilted my head and moved in for a closer look. As soon as I lifted the jar the brilliant insects ignited in a dizzying array of colors.
Are you recording?
I gasped and almost dropped the jar as I peered over the railing. Gideon looked up at me from a few rungs down the ladder. It took me a second to realize what he was asking before I shook my head. “I turned the lenses off as soon as I left the Academy.”
He nodded. I hoped he couldn’t hear the furious way my pulse raced as he swung effortlessly over the railing and stood to face me. His eyes smoldered with something I’d never seen in them before. “Remember last night, how you asked what I want?”
I nodded.
He took a step toward me. “I know what that is now.”
I swallowed, stepping back. “You do?”
“Yes.” He took my shoulders and his light flooded into me, burning every cell with delicious fire. “I want you to not get sent back home.”
I blinked. “I don’t want that either.”
He dropped his hands. “Then what were you doing, Lark?”
“What do you mean?”
He gestured to my clothes. “Why were you trying to sneak out again?”
I bit my lip and turned away. “I know. It was stupid. Are you going to report me?”
He moved behind me until his chest almost touched my back. I ached for the feeling of his light. We were silent for several heartbeats until he sighed. “Only if you promise not to report me.”
I lifted a brow and turned to face him.
He reached into his pocket, lifting out a shiny rectangular object.
I gasped. “Is that my phone?”
He grinned and pulled another object from behind his back.
“And my journal!” I laughed in disbelief and took them from him. “How? Where?”
“I knew how much you missed them. As long as you keep them hidden it will be our little secret.”
“Is that where you went? To my house?”
He shifted his weight. Unauthorized wormhole travel is sort of frowned upon, so it’s probably best you don’t know the details.
I shook my head. “You shouldn’t have risked that for me. It’s not worth it.”
He held my gaze. Seeing your smile was worth it.
My pulse hammered and I looked away. “Did you talk to my mom?”
No. I was in and
out pretty quick, but I don’t think anyone was home.
I swallowed down the disappointment and turned to look at him more closely. “How did you do it so fast? Aren’t you tired?”
He gave a sideways smile. “It’s a lot easier when you’re not bleeding.”
“Oh. Right.” I toyed with the hem of my tunic, embarrassed by how much I wanted him to use Mindspeak instead of talking out loud.
He tilted my chin until I looked up at him. The live current streaming through his fingers made me shiver as his sapphire eyes held mine.
“I told you I know what I want now. I’m going to do whatever it takes to make that happen—even if it means I have to keep you from breaking the rules.”
“Gideon, I promise not to sneak out anymore.”
“You won’t have to.”
I paused. “I won’t?”
He shook his head. “It’s not breaking the rules if I’m with you.”
I took a step back. “You would do that for me? The way you walked off today and didn’t come back . . . I thought you were mad.”
Gideon frowned and looked out over the railing. “Back at school, Slade accused me of—caring too much for you.” He glanced at me out of the corner of his eye. “He doesn’t like me. Jealous, maybe, that I’m the reason he’s second in our class. I don’t know . . .” his voice trailed off as he stared out into the night. “I just wouldn’t put it past him to try to get me into trouble if he could.”
I bit my lip. “When did this happen? I never heard him say anything.”
“It’s not important.” He blew out a long breath. “And it’s not just Slade. I can deal with him. There are—other factors. I needed some space, so I left to get your things.”
“I still can’t believe you did that. Thank you.”
He nodded once, his eyes warm.
I looked down at my hands. “Those ‘other factors’ you mentioned—anything you want to talk about?”
“No.”
I nodded, letting several seconds pass before I was brave enough to say what I was thinking. “You know you don’t have to worry. No one would ever believe you were interested in a Recruit.” I felt Gideon’s eyes on me. There was a long pause before he spoke.
Silence of Stars Page 15
