When Jackson and I arrive at my room we find the door already open and Rafe and Jesse lounging casually in the living are. Rafe’s eyes immediately snap to us. “So?” he demands, raising an eyebrow. “What the hell was that all about?”
“Oh, just mom,” I say with a happy sigh, stepping into the room. “Telling me that I’m her favorite and assuring Jackson that he’s her new Meatball.” Rafe narrows his eyes at me as Jesse laughs. “Such an obvious lie,” Rafe sighs, shaking his head. “Mom would never even joke about that. I’m her eternal favorite.”
“Get in line, lil Prince,” Jackson says, pulling me tight against his side. “I’m #1 son now.”
Jesse laughs again as Jackson turns his head to look down at me, speaking softly. “I’m going to run to my room, unpack. I’ll be back in a little bit?” “Okay,” I say, standing on my toes and giving him a little kiss. “Um,” I glance at my brother and my cousin. “Do you mind if I tell them what really happened?”
He considers for a second. “No, that’s fine,” Jackson says, straightening up and taking a step towards the hall. “Just…the two of them, though? Is that all right?”
“Of course,” I say, beaming at him. Jackson nods to me, grabs his backpack from its spot by the door, and waves as he starts down the hall.
“You got him trained up good, Ariel,” Jesse says as I grab my own backpack and walk over to my beloved little Nook, tossing it onto the bed. “That wave was very nearly a goodbye that our favorite foundling gave us.”
“Yes, he’s coming along beautifully,” I say with a happy sigh as I start quickly to unpack the very few things I was able to bring from the Palace. “So?” Rafe says, unwilling to be deterred by small talk and jokes. “What happened?”
With a glance towards the door to ensure that we’re alone, I very quickly fill Rafe and Jesse in.
“Damn,” Jesse says as I finish unpacking and move to my regular spot on the couch. “I mean, I knew Jackson’s story was dark but I didn’t think he was a spy.”
“He’s not,” I snap, glaring at him. “So don’t even joke about it.”noveldrama
Jesse raises his hands, silently promising he won’t, while Rafe takes a deep and contemplative breath. “Things are getting serious,” Rafe says, shaking his head slowly back and forth. “Atalaxia declaring war from our south and east, now the Community in the north working with them…I think big things are coming for us.”
My heart sinks even if he’s only confirming what I already knew. “What do you think it means for us, though?” I ask quietly, my hands clasped together in my lap.
“I think that if things get serious enough that dad and Uncle Roger won’t hesitate to call up the Cadets,” Rafe says, looking between Jesse and I. Jesse is unusually serious, simply nodding softly as he considers it.
“Wait, really?” I breathe, leaning forward towards my brother. “Do you – do you seriously think that we could see war? Like soon?”
“He won’t send us out green,” Rafe says, moving his eyes to me. “But if we can make a difference? Dad won’t hesitate – and he shouldn’t.”
“A lot of the warriors in our class are ready for it,” Jesse says softly. “Your Jacks among them. Me and Rafe too – Luca, if he works a little harder at the strategy and actual theory behind it. Physically, he’s ready. Mentally,” Jesse shrugs, like he’s not sure he’s willing to count Luca in yet. “I’m not ready,” I say softly, looking down at my hands, shaking my head.
“Your program is different, Ari,” Rafe says, his voice gentle. “And you haven’t been training as long as the rest of us. Neumann will get you where you need to be the Captain too.”
I nod, agreeing, trusting my professors who so clearly trust me. “I’ll work as hard as I can.”
“We know you will, Ari,” Jesse says, his voice warm and cheerful again. I raise my eyes to see him smiling kindly at me, indulgent. “If there’s a prize for hard work and dedication, you win it. And we all see that.”
A little warmth thrums through me at my cousin’s clear praise. “Thanks,” I say, smiling at him. Rafe nods at me too, confirming that he too thinks what Jesse has said is right.
