“What about you? All black? It’s a little on the nose, don’t you think?” I say through clenched teeth. “Or would you prefer I wear a tutu and a tiara like your girlfriend?”

“No. Baggy suits you,” he replies. “Besides. It wasn’t an essay question.”

I glare at him. “So sorry, I’m usually a girl of few words, but for some reason you Exorcist them out of me.”

“What an excellent day for an exorcism.”

Annoyed that I get all tingly at his use of the old movie quote, I press my lips together. Robie steps between us. “Master thief Abignail will be your advisor. This is your assignment.” He hands Garrett a packet. “Find a quiet place to digest it, and then I trust you’ll dispose of it correctly.”

“Thank you,” Garrett says. Taking the packet in one hand and gripping my arm with the other, he drags me away as Robie calls Kyran to the stage.

The last thing I hear before Garrett leads me into the passageway at the back of the fireplace we left through yesterday is the announcement that Kyran is to be partnered with Rayelle.

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-One

January 2, 20X6, Keystone

Once we’re outside, I wiggle free of his grasp.

“Why did you pick me? You could have chosen anyone.”

“I thought you could use a mentor.”

He smiles down at me, his stormy gray-green eyes cleverly hiding the truth.

“Lucky me.” I frown. “Can I refuse to be your partner?”

“Nope. You don’t have a choice. I won, remember?”

“And you’ll never let me forget it.” Turning my back on him, I stomp down a trail, wanting to put as much space between us as possible.

“Come on, Ellie.” He easily catches up to me. “You’re the only person at Keystone who’s competition for me.”

I squelch the lightning bolt that shoots through me. “There you go with the compliments again.”

“Nah. I like to keep my rivals close is all.”

“So Chloe is your rival?” Coming to a halt, I stare up at him.

His lips purse. “Jealous isn’t your color, Ellie.”

“What do you see in her, anyway?”

“Oh, she’s really talented. She has the ability to—”

“Stop.” I cover my ears. “Never mind. I don’t want to know what you two practice in private.”

He laughs. “You have to admit: we’ll make a great team. With my looks and your…well, my charm, we’ll be unstoppable.” He elbows me, his mouth twitching like he’s showing me how to smile.

Ignoring the pounding in my chest that tells me he’s right, I shake my head. “I’m not admitting anything.”