Before we left the testing room, Zahir offered to be my mentor. Apparently all student Guardians have one. I like the guy. He’s the friendliest soldier I’ve come across since arriving in Blackriver, and I appreciate his offer. It would be cool to train with him. But I can’t imagine the Guardians ever accepting me into their ranks, especially if my blood leaves me vulnerable to Alexei’s call. Not a convenient trait to have in the field. And I don’t know if I even want to join the Guardians. I haven’t let go of the drive to get away from Blackriver the first chance I get. Away from chains and collars. But after seeing my face in the mirror earlier, the strength is seeping out of my urgency. Where would I go?

“You realize,” I say to her, “I’m a freak, even by Guardian standards?”

She flicks her hand. “Tah! Different is normal in the Guardians. It’s why I feel so at home. Nobody bullies me here because I’m respected for who I am.”

“Bullies you?” I can’t imagine anybody stupid enough to bully Laasya. “But you’re from a world of witches. Surely weird is normal.”

“Yes, but most young witches don’t accidentally throw their teacher through a window when they get upset. I was aberrant, even by witch standards. Thankfully, Councilor Quinton saw potential and taught me control. He’s always been a mentor to me.” Her voice takes on a breathy quality, her cheeks darkening.

“What is it with you and Quinton, then?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you know. You like him. I wondered if the feelings were mutual.” I think he’s way too old for her, and I haven’t noticed any interest on his part, but I’m hardly an expert.

She stops to look at me, her eyes wide. “I don’t like him like that.”

“Yeah, ya do. I’ve seen the way you look at him. You fluster every time he speaks.”

She raises her chin. “I admire him.”

“Oh,” I say, exaggerating my tone. “You admire him.”

Her face scrunches with a playful scowl. “Well, what about you and the commander?”

That stops me. “What about me and Flanagan?” I ignore the twitch in my pants, even from the mention of his name.

Laasya rolls her eyes. “If it gets any more intense between you two, you’ll set Blackriver on fire.”

“Inten… There’s nothing between me and Flanagan. It’s just the Flame messing with things. And anyway, why would I be attracted to the most infuriating man I’ve ever met?” Never mind that he is, in fact, a man.

“Oh,” she says in the same dramatic tone I used. “He’s infuriating.”

“He is.” It’s my turn to scowl.