Immortal Consequences(26)

Wren didn’t know what to say. In any other circumstance, she wouldn’t have hesitated. She wanted nothing more than to get into Silas’s good graces, and befriending a fellow student was a small price to pay. But the thought of getting close to a student who was targeted by the Demien Order didn’t exactly enthrall her.

Upon hearing her silence, Silas stepped closer. “It’s my understanding that you want to be nominated this Decennial.”

Her head snapped up in attention. “Yes. I…I would love nothing more than to serve Blackwood as an Ascended.”

Silas nodded. “And I’m certain you would serve us well. Which is why I’m hopeful you’ll agree to this simple task. I do believe it would most certainly solidify your chances in the opening ceremony tonight.”

Her jaw went slack. There was no miscommunication happening here. She understood very clearly what Silas was implying.

Her chance at the nomination rested upon her saying yes.

But there was something about Silas’s tone and the secretive manner in which he had called the meeting that led her to believe there was something else. Another condition intertwined between his words.

“I’d have to keep this a secret, wouldn’t I? From the other students?”

Silas nodded, solemn. “I don’t want anyone worrying. We have the situation under control. The fewer people who know that we’re monitoring Louise…the better.”

Wren couldn’t deny that the first thing that shot through her mind was August. She’d have to keep this from him. Another slab of concrete pressed against the growing wall between them. But then she felt a sweltering anger at her own resistance. Why did she care if she had to keep a secret from August? If their years of enmity had taught her anything, it was that Augustine Hughes cared solely about protecting himself, and even if he wanted her to believe he cared about the greater good, it was more than likely serving some larger, selfish purpose.

“Yes,” Wren blurted out. “Of course. I’ll do my best to befriend her.”

“Wonderful.” Silas guided Wren toward the door. “I’m so pleased we have a student like you among our ranks. You truly are one of the brightest pupils I’ve ever met.”

Wren blushed. “Thank you, Headmaster.”

He opened the door and beckoned her forward, inclining his head as she walked past him.

“Good luck.”

As Wren descended the steps, the door swinging closed behind her, a sense of weightlessness flooded her body. An unabridged happiness that sent a shock of laughter up and out of her throat.

Because the truth was—she didn’t need luck anymore.

Not when the nomination was hers.

8

Olivier

He was late.

Housemaster Calligan had already begun handing out the golden teacups, a thick black liquid sloshing inside them. A few students glanced up as Olivier scurried toward his desk, offering him looks of disapproval, though he didn’t pay them any mind. He did, however, notice Irene and Masika seated on the other side of the room.

He nodded in their direction and they averted their eyes.

Right.

He didn’t take it personally. The two of them were about as friendly as a pair of feral cats.

“Glad you could join us.” Calligan handed Olivier his teacup. “Though I recommend arriving five minutes early next time, as opposed to five minutes late.”

“My apologies,” Olivier said. “I was—”

But Calligan had already moved on to the next student, clearly uninterested in hearing any of his excuses. Olivier settled in his seat and inspected the contents of the teacup with a withering frown. The liquid smelled like burnt sugar, with a rotten undercurrent that reminded him of moldy fruit. Not exactly what he wanted to ingest first thing in the morning, but oh well.

It wasn’t like he had a choice.

“Nervous?” a voice next to him whispered.

Olivier glanced to his right to find Tristan Abbot staring back at him, his olive-green eyes twinkling with amusement. Streams of lilac light fluttered through the window, illuminating his dark brown skin in a shimmering halo. He was a resident of Chambers House and a notorious heartbreaker, though his heart had been snagged a couple of years back, to the immense disappointment of his many admirers （Olivier included）。

Olivier shook his head. “It’s not exactly my first time.”

Tristan smiled. “Right. I should have known better. You’re in Litterman House, aren’t you?”

Olivier nodded. “Guilty.”

“Well, I’m jealous. Not that I would ever wish to be a part of a different House. If I hadn’t been placed in Chambers, then I never would have met Josie.” Tristan’s expression seemed to brighten at the thought of his girlfriend. “You have a boyfriend too, don’t you? What’s his name…Emilio?”

“Wha—” The teacup nearly flew out of Olivier’s hand as he scrambled to catch it. “I don’t…that’s not…” He cleared his throat. “Emilio and I are just friends.”

Tristan chuckled and dropped his gaze. “Sorry. It just seemed…well…never mind.”

“Settle down, class.” Calligan’s booming voice echoed throughout the classroom as he addressed the students. “It’s time to begin your exam. Now, you have each been handed a teacup with an extremely potent elixir. Once you drink this liquid, emptying the teacup completely, you will have exactly one hour to dismantle the illusion, though to you it will feel much, much quicker.”