ANDROMA
“WHAT ARE YOU DOING?”
Andi whirled around.
Valen stood at the bottom of the staircase with his arms crossed over his chest, his hair rumpled as if he’d just woken from a long sleep. Or finally resurfaced from hours of painting abstract images on the canvases littered about his room.
He’d never spoken to Andi much before she was a Spectre. And now, even with her living in his home, their rooms a short walk away from each other’s, he’d spoken to her even less. But he always seemed to be listening when she and Kalee were giggling about the latest drama to spill across the streets of Arcardius. During meals, when Andi and the other Spectres stood guard, she’d watch him curiously. Valen usually sat in the farthest seat from his father, hunched forward as if he were battling some deep, silent pain. Sometimes she’d catch him staring at her with his strange, unblinking hazel eyes, his paint-stained fingers gripping his golden fork like a weapon he didn’t want to use.
And several times over the years, Andi had caught Valen following her and Kalee through the twisting halls of the estate, quickly ducking into open doorways with heat flaming on his cheeks when she’d whirled around to catch him, worried it was an intruder come to harm Kalee.
Valen Cortas was silent and strange—a mystery Andi really had no interest in cracking. And yet, despite his oddities, the older students at the Arcardian Academy always talked about him, whispered his name in the halls in between classes when he shuffled past, his shoelaces undone, splatters of paint on his rumpled uniform.
General Cortas hadn’t even assigned a full-time Spectre for Valen. Kalee said it was because he wasn’t the heir, but Andi had always wondered. The tension between father and son was palpable. It made for awkward meetings when the whole family and their Spectres were present.
“I asked you a question,” Valen said now from the bottom of the stairs.
“And I don’t have to answer.” Kalee tossed her pale hair over her shoulder, the polar opposite to Valen’s dark brown.
Valen frowned. “I was asking Androma.”
Andi’s mouth opened. Valen never tried to speak to her directly. And now...he was angry, looking at her like she was trying to steal his best friend.
“We’re going to have some fun, Valen,” Andi said. “Maybe you should join us. Put down the paintbrushes for a little while and see the real world.”
She hadn’t meant it rudely, but his mouth twisted at her words. And then his eyes fell on the silver ignition card clutched in Kalee’s hand. “You’re not going anywhere. Not with that.”
He started up the stairs, his bare feet soundless with each step.
“That’s enough, Valen.” Kalee whined like a caged dog as she nudged Andi farther up the staircase. “Come on, Andi. He’s not going to stop us.”
“I’ll wake up Father,” Valen threatened.
Kalee laughed. “You wouldn’t dare.”
Andi stared down at Valen, who, before tonight, had always seemed so quiet, so focused on things inside of himself rather than the world around him.
“There isn’t room for three in the ship,” Kalee said.
He continued upward anyway.
“You can’t come.”
“Kalls.” Valen said her nickname with a heavy sigh. He looked to Andi, frowning again. “You aren’t going to stop this?”
“Of course she’s not,” Kalee said. “Come on, Valen. It’s my birthday.”
Valen frowned. “You’re not yourself when you’re with her, Kalls. Don’t do this. It’s not a good idea. Just...come down. I’ll walk you back to your room.”
Kalee circled her arm through Andi’s. “I’m better when I’m with Andi, Valen. You’re just jealous because no one is interested in getting on a ship alone with you.”
Andi blinked in surprise as Valen froze. He stared up at Kalee like she’d just shattered his heart.
And maybe she had.
“Don’t come crying to me when Father catches you,” he whispered. Then his face warped with a sad smile. “Happy Birthday, Kalee. I hope it’s everything you want it to be.”
He turned, slinking back down the stairs.
For a moment, Andi wondered if maybe he was right. Maybe they shouldn’t go. Again, that little voice whispered, This is a mistake. This isn’t in your orders. Your orders are to keep her safe, Androma, not keep her happy.
But as Andi stared down at the card in her charge’s hand, the thrill of the night swept over her. A promise that adventure was waiting, and a ship with engines larger than any she’d ever had in her control at the Academy.
“Let’s go, Kalee.”
She tugged her friend along with her, up the stairs and out the door to the docking pad. The transport sat waiting for them, a silver beast crouching in the moonlight. Andi screeched with laughter as Kalee chased her across the platform, the wind in their hair, the kiss of the night on their skin.
Tonight, they would be more than just a Spectre and her charge. They’d be partners in crime. Girls on a mission, out to tear apart the silent skies.