Chapter Seven
The next morning, I wake earlier than I want to. My body is still buzzing from yesterday’s chaos—guards dragging me back, Viktor’s cool command in the hall, the way my pulse had betrayed me when he leaned too close. My thoughts had looped until sleep finally dragged me under.
At breakfast, Viktor is already at the table. His food is untouched, his posture sharp as ever. I keep my eyes on my plate. We don’t talk. We don’t have to.
Classes fill most of the day. To my surprise, they’re… normal. Not easy, but familiar. Literature, history, math, science. I sit in the back row, scribbling notes, pretending I’m at an ordinary college. For a few hours, I almost let myself believe it. I’ve always liked learning—my father was right about that—and here the classes are small, only a
