Chapter 2

I found the Northern messenger and gave him my final answer. I was joining the Prodigy Warrior Program.

Now all I had to do was cut every unnecessary tie.

The next day, I pulled an old kite from the very bottom of my room's storage chest.

Thomas had made it himself when he was eight.

His childish handwriting was still on it. "We'll always be best friends."

He'd given it to me so solemnly, made me promise to keep it safe.

I brought it to him while he was getting ready to go out with Chloe.

He smiled when he saw me. "Knew you wouldn't stay mad."

I held out the kite.

"Giving it back."

Thomas blinked, didn't take it right away.

Beside him, Chloe looked at the kite and said softly,

"You two were so close as pups. I was always too sick to play with you back then. I really missed out."

Something seemed to click for Thomas. He took the kite and tossed it into a storage box behind him.

"That was forever ago." He looked at Chloe. "I don't even remember it."

I watched a corner of the kite stick out of the box.

Strangely, there was no bitterness.

That kite had drifted through my memories for ten years. The moment the string snapped, all I felt was relief.

"Anyway." Thomas turned back to me. "Since you're here, come to the market with us."

"Chloe's got a lot to buy. I can't carry it all myself. You can help."

I shook my head. "She's not helpless."

Chloe's lashes trembled.

Thomas's face darkened. "She can't shift. Carrying heavy things will hurt her."

I said calmly, "Weak or not, she can manage a few bags."

"Sienna, what the hell is wrong with you?" Thomas's tone turned impatient. "We made a decision for you, so now you're gonna drag this out and make it ugly?"

I didn't answer. I turned and walked away.

There was nothing left to say to him.

That afternoon, I found Paul in the strategy room, practicing sand table simulations.

I set a bronze research badge in front of him.

"I'm quitting the summer tactics research group."

Paul looked up.

"Our project's already been submitted to the Council. There're still two months of summer. You're quitting now. What's your reason?"

I couldn't tell him I'd joined the Prodigy Warrior Program. So I gave a vague answer. "I've got other things to handle."

"Still angry?" Paul tapped his finger on the map. "Because we lied about the North?"

"Come on, Sienna. That's where you wanted to go anyway. We just gave you the push."

I stared at his earnest face and suddenly felt how ridiculous this all was.

I didn't want to explain anymore. Wanting to go to the North and being tricked into going weren't the same thing.

"Never mind. Find another research partner."

Paul scoffed. "You're throwing a tantrum over this? That's so childish."

When I stayed silent, his tone turned colder.

"Fine. Actually, I was thinking Chloe could be my partner anyway. Since you're gonna act like this, I'll go ask her."

"Whatever."

I left the strategy room with no anger. If anything, I felt lucky.

The sooner you hit the ground, the sooner you can start over.

When I got back to the estate, Thomas and Daniel were just returning from the market with Chloe.

Thomas's arms were full of bags. He sneered when he saw me.

"If I'd known you wouldn't help, I would've called Daniel sooner."

Daniel laughed. "Guess I should thank Sienna for saying no. Otherwise I wouldn't have gotten to go with Chloe."

Chloe's cheeks went pink.

She pulled a dark green handbag from one of the bags and held it out to me.

"Sienna, what do you think of this style?"

My expression froze for a split second. Just a split second.

It was the style I'd had my eye on for ages.

Daniel had promised to pre-order it for me, said he'd give it to me the moment it arrived.

He followed my gaze and explained,

"It just came in today. Chloe liked it too, so I gave it to her first. I reordered yours. It'll be here in three months."

Chloe immediately pushed the bag toward me.

"Oh, was this something you asked Daniel to order? Here, take it. I don't want it."

She said that, but her hands stayed clamped tight around the bag.

Thomas pressed her hand down. "Keep it. That color suits you better."

Daniel chimed in. "Sienna can wait three months."

I looked at the handbag and nodded calmly. "Chloe, you keep it."

If the thought behind it wasn't mine, what was the point of having the bag?

After all, I had twenty-three hours left before I left.

Chloe clutched the bag to her chest, about to say something, when Ethan and Paul walked in through the door.

Ethan's face was stone cold as he walked up to me.

"Sienna, I checked."

He stared down into my eyes, word by word.

"Your name isn't on the Northern Military Academy's acceptance list."