Page 103 of Interion

“What if my level is weak? What if I’ve only learned to use my gift well, but it’s actually low?”

Doubts floated through my mind as I hurried to pull on my blue jacket. In the process, I got tangled up in the sleeve, and Zion promptly helped me.

“Thank you,” I said gratefully, once I finally had it on and looked into his eyes.

I started to turn, but he reached out to fix the collar that had folded inward. I stayed still while he worked on the stubborn fabric, watching me with a half-smile.

“If it’s low, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you’re good, and no one would dare waste a gift like yours.” His hands were nimble, and when he finished, he smoothed my hair out from under the jacket. The light brush of his fingers on my neck sent a wave of heat across my skin. “Besides, you had cancer—your body spent years developing the gift to keep itself alive. Obviously, it’ll be a high level.”

I noticed that even he was anxious—you could tell by the way his feet wouldn’t stay still. Yesterday, when we got home, I’d steeled myself to question him about my theories, but when I opened his bedroom door, he wasn’t there. I didn’t even bother waiting. I already knew the tactic—he’d avoid me until I forgot or got tired of trying.

We stared at each other for a moment. That closeness was new and very pleasant, but most of the time, I didn’t know what to do when he was this attentive. I forced myself to look away and took one last look in the mirror, checking that everything was in order. Then I went to the second drawer of my vanity and pulled out five crystallized fruit bars. I stuffed them all in my pocket and finally held out my hand to Zion. He frowned at my pockets but transported us to the back of the academy without asking.

“Thank you,” I said hurriedly.

“Good luck, Kay,” I heard him murmur. “But first, I need to ask you something.”

I turned to face him.

“What’s your answer?” he asked hopefully, arms crossed over his chest.

“What’s your answer?” I shot back, and he looked confused. “I asked you a question four days ago too. Are you going to stay?”

His face turned serious.

“I don’t know.”

“Then I don’t know either,” I said, turning and picking up my pace.

I heard him laugh behind me.

“How perceptive. I didn’t know you were into games.”

I smiled to myself.

“A girl who doesn’t know how to play is like a lion without teeth. Playing is part of the conquest.”

“Does that mean you’re going to play with me?” Something playful and heated gleamed in his eyes, turning my stomach into a landing strip for anxious butterflies.

“I thought we were already playing,” I teased, practically running toward the campus. I heard Zion’s laughter behind me and forced myself to keep walking so I wouldn’t stop and watch him smile.

I entered through the training gymnasium gate and hurried down the exit corridor. Next to this block was the academy’s administration wing, and beyond that, the classroom complex where the rookies were housed. I hurried there and pushed through the large wooden doors. It was silent down here—a sign that I was seriously late. I ran up the stairs and headed for the amphitheater. I opened the double doors, trying not to be noticed, and saw that my entire class was already inside.

As soon as I closed the doors, Breno’s eyes landed on me—and not just his, but also those of a child with the same eyes: Dominic. They both quickly looked away. I scanned for an available seat and found one in the back, far from everyone I knew. While I waited, impatient and anxious, I caught Breno glancing at me several times, but every time I dared to meet his gaze, he looked away. I wondered if things would stay like this forever. It was really frustrating.

A few minutes later, the director entered from the side of the small stage at the front of the room, and all the students straightened in their seats. He looked excited.

“Stronger than the Walls!”

“We resist!” we shouted in unison.

“Good morning, my students! I apologize for the delay—I was helping organize the testing room.” He pointed to the two doors on the side of the stage. “You’ll be called in alphabetical order, so please wait in your seats.”

We nodded, and soon the right door on the stage opened, revealing a young woman holding several files.

“Today, we conclude the second exam of the final year, marking the home stretch toward the long-awaited diploma...” Lionel droned on about the academy, but I was too anxious to listen. My legs wouldn't stop bouncing while my mind drifted. When my anxiety spiked and my heart started racing, I pulled a dried fruit bar from my pocket.

Lionel, gods help me, chose that unfortunate moment to launch into a speech about military careers and how gratifying it would be to get chosen to serve in the forests. He announced that enrollment was open for anyone who aspired to work for the army, and my eyes rolled so hard I could almost see the inside of my skull. The whole enrollment thing was complete nonsense—regardless of whether students signed up or not, some would be chosen by the committee and forced to serve in the forests for five years. Ambrose and Lorenzo had avoided that fate, but Dr. Luana hadn't, and I'd heard through hospital gossip that she didn't exactly have fond memories of the experience.