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“That’s fine. I’m happy to look into it, but right now I have things to do. Come and see me again this afternoon.”
“But it’s really urgent, Mr. Brian. As I’m sure you understand, we can’t afford to waste any time,” Ayden replies.
It sounds like he can’t detain my history teacher for much longer. I need to focus on my hands and get the job done quickly. But it’s important that I put the books back exactly as I found them in the briefcase. So I take a deep breath and finish up. Then I crawl under the desk, put the case back, and sit down at my own desk again, where I take out my phone and pretend that I was using the time to make a call.
Less than a minute later, Mr. Brian enters the room. He looks irritated when he sees that I’m still here, and he purses his lips when he hears me talking into my phone.
“Could you kindly take that conversation somewhere else? I’m sure you can find a quiet corner that’s not in my classroom.”
I roll my eyes demonstratively, catching a glimpse of Ayden as he peers into the room. When he sees that things seem to have gone according to plan, he retreats.
“I’ll call you back,” I say into my phone. “My teacher’s back. Yeah. I know, right? Okay, later.”
I put the phone away, shoulder my backpack, and leave the room at a leisurely pace. I have to force myself to walk slowly. What I really want to do is run, but I have to maintain my façade. When I get out into the corridor, I’m overcome with pure relief. I actually did it. My hand wanders to the phone in my pocket and clutches it tightly. Hopefully it contains the answers I desperately need.
When I round the next corner, Ayden intercepts me. “Did it work?”
“Yes,” I reply with relief. “Mr. Brian was kind enough to mark all the important passages.”
A smile flashes across Ayden’s gorgeous lips. “That’s so typical of him. He wants to make things as easy as possible for my father because he’s such a busy man.”
“Yeah. I guess his ass-kissing worked in our favor this time,” I agree.
I notice that I’m walking alongside Ayden. He seems to have noticed too and looks at me warmly.
“When are you going to take a look at them?”
That’s a good question. I really want to sneak away now and skip class to check out the excerpts. But I realize that I can’t be absent without an excuse.
“I guess lunch will be the first chance I get,” I reply, and he nods.
We’re standing face to face, and I feel that familiar tingling inside me. I don’t know what to say. Do I want to look at the texts alone, or should he be there too? But then we would have to meet in my room so we can talk openly. And I doubt that’s a good idea.
I open my mouth, but I still have no idea what I want to say, and Ayden preempts me.
“Take a look at them in private, and if you need help, you know where to find me.”
He smiles and says goodbye. I watch him go for a moment before tearing my eyes away from him.
Chapter 9
The hours until lunch seem to stretch out interminably. I keep staring at the clock and watching the minute hand creep tortuously slowly around its face. When I finally hear the redeeming sound of the bell, I pack up my things and try not to appear too frantic.
“Let’s go to my room,” I suggest to Kate.
She nods. “I hope we find something to help you prepare for this test. I still can’t believe they’re throwing you in the deep end like this without telling you anything.” She pushes her hair out of her face. “One more reason not to tell them about my gift. I don’t want to do this test.”
“You might wind up at the Fabrici house with me,” I joke lamely. “Then at least we’d be together.”
“I figure the rest of the Council would have something to say about that family monopolizing two key carriers with gifts. You said yourself that Mr. Montrell argued against it.” She looks at me and puts a hand on my shoulder. “Anyway, it won’t come to that. Don’t worry, I’m sure we’ll find some answers today to help you pass the test.”
I bite my lip, nod, and try to dispel my doubts. I won’t fail!
As soon as I close the door behind us, I take off my backpack, throw it in the corner, and take my phone out of my pocket. We sit on my bed, and I open the first photo. It’s a page from the linen-bound book.
I read the text under the heading Energy Fluctuations and frown.
“What does this have to do with the test?” I wonder aloud.
