“I figured as much,” I say. “That’s why I didn’t out him to Blackwood, even though I’m sure she knows. Speaking of Blackwood, she also told me that I’m not trained as well as I should be and that I should make alliances. Do you know what she meant by that?”

Ash smirks. “She meant that while you’re good—great, even—you’re not ready to navigate the outside Strategia world by yourself. You’ll need the help of the Bears and possibly some of the other Families as well,” he says, casually acknowledging that he knows I’ve decided to leave, even though I haven’t told him yet.

I exhale. “I have to go find my dad,” I say. “I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t and something happened to him.” And even though I feel good about my decision, I’m sad, too. I know there’s every chance that I’ll never see Ash or Layla again.

We’re both silent for a beat.

“I know,” he says.

A lump forms in my throat and I attempt to swallow it down. “Ash—”

“So when do we leave?” he says briskly, and for a brief second, I think I misheard him.

I stare at him in shock.

“What?” A mischievous grin creeps over his face. “You didn’t think I was going to miss out on you single-handedly taking on the Lions, did you? Besides, it’s like the headmaster said: you need alliances.”

I don’t know whether to kiss him or to cry. “I can’t ask you to leave this place you fought so hard to get into and, more importantly, to leave Layla.”

“Well then, it’s a good thing you’re not asking and I’m volunteering,” he says with a smile.

“I’m serious.”

“So am I,” he says. “Layla and I were always going to lead our Family together, as a team. She’s memorized practically every lesson we’ve ever had here. She’ll just fill me in on anything I miss. And with Dr. Conner gone, she’s safer now than she’s ever been in this school.”

“Okay. But you know there’s a high possibility we won’t live through it,” I say.

“And there’s one hundred percent certainty that you won’t unless I come with you,” he retorts. “You don’t know any of the Strategia safe houses in Europe, and you won’t find them on your own because they’re hidden. Plus, you don’t know the first thing about where to get information and who to trust.”

So that’s what Blackwood actually meant when she told me I wasn’t prepared. “Why, Ash? Why do this?”

“Do you really need to ask?” His eyes drift down to my lips and my stomach flutters. “Amantes sunt amentes.”