Page 85 of Trivium

“And miss your love story? Absolutely not.” Rory looped her arm through Ahmina’s and pulled her down the hall.

✧✧✧✧

The Slayer dorms were buzzing as everyone set up for the party. It wasn’t hard for them to find Lennox. He was propped up on the edge of an armchair, in some sort of debate with a group of Slayers about where the musicians should set up.

“Not my room,” Lennox said, his expression flat.

“But your room is in the middle of the hall. It was in your room last year and it was perfect,” a girl with long, oil slick hair said, annoyed.

“Yeah, well that was last year. This is this year. And this year I say no.” Lennox’s eyes slid to Ahmina as soon as they entered the room. The woman’s gaze followed.

“Hey, Lennox, can we talk to you?” Rory interrupted.

“Can’t you do that later?” The woman’s voice could cut glass. “She’s always in your dorm anyway,” she said, turning back to Lennox.

Lennox’s eyes flickered to her so quickly, Ahmina almost missed it. For a second, she saw concern on his face before it was masked with his usual cool expression. She’s always in your dorm anyway.

She’d never been in his dorm.

Zeina.

She mentioned she’d been staying in an empty bed. Ahmina hadn’t realized it was in Lennox’s dorm. Her stomach dropped as the realisation sunk in.

“It’s super important,” Rory said sarcastically to the woman, baring her teeth in some sort of fake, fuck-you smile.

“Find another dorm. I’ll be right back.” Lennox stood up, leaving the vexed woman in the lounge. The three of them moved farther down the hall, out of earshot. “What’s up?” Lennox crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.

“We need you to get us into the Slayer party tonight,” Rory demanded.

Lennox looked at Ahmina. “You want to party?”

“She needs to let loose,” Rory said, before Ahmina could answer.

“Before I potentially lose everything I’ve ever worked for,” Ahmina added. The final assessment was her last opportunity to save her seat at the Academy. To redeem herself from being the worst recruit the Academy had seen, thanks to Barrow. Her face scrunched at the thought.

“Well, if you’re going to fail, might as well have some fun while you still have your dignity, yeah?” Lennox said, holding back a smile that ended up looking like a frown.

She glared at him. That wasn’t funny. Did Lennox think her failing and likely getting kicked out of school was a joke? She went to kick him, and he stepped backwards, dodging her leg. She frowned at him and he frowned back in response.

“Yeah. I’ll get you in,” he said, finally.

“Perfect.” Rory dragged Ahmina away. “We have to go get ready. See you there!”

“You’ll be fine, stress-mina; you won’t get kicked out!” Lennox called after them as they left the Slayer dorms. Ahmina had more clarity and motivation than ever after finding out Barrow had been sabotaging her and how Zeina had been helping her. But she wasn’t over the finish line yet. She was still behind and only had a week to pull it all together.

One week.

58

ZEINA

The truth serum was ready.

Zeina debated using it on Lennox just to see if he was really trustworthy, but she knew in her heart he was. So, as promised, she delivered it to Loveleena’s dorm.

Loveleena and Kumani would both be at the Slayer party tonight and she breezed through the first-year dorms without worry since most of the students were absent. She made quick work of the lock, then entered, shutting the door behind her with a soft click. Their room was a mess—clothes thrown about, half eaten food on Loveleena’s side table, books scattered across every surface. It looked like it had been ransacked by a wild animal. How was a noble woman this messy? Even Zeina, who lived in a broom closet for half the year, was tidier.

Zeina looked around in search of a safe place to leave the potion.