“But . . . college,” I said weakly. I didn’t care what Saylor said. I could still do that, right? How could I not go to college? “They’ll see that I dropped out of all this stuff my junior year, and they’ll think I can’t follow through, and all I do is follow through, so—”

“Harper,” he said sternly. “You are bright and talented and driven, and any college would be lucky to have you. But as your principal, it’s my job to guide your academic pursuits. And I think all these things you do here at the Grove are getting in that way of that.”

He ripped the paper in half, the sound making me wince.

“But now you’re free. Concentrate on your classes. That will do more to get you into a good school than all the extracurricular activities in the world.”

I stood up, my legs numb. All I could do was nod.

“And, Harper,” he added when I opened the door, “maybe take some time for yourself now, okay?”

Chapter 35

THE DAY before Cotillion, I sat on Saylor’s sun porch, staring at a textbook.

Today’s lesson involved the history of the Ephors and ancient Greece, even though I’d thought our last session before Cotillion might involve more fighting and training. But Saylor said it was important for me to conserve my strength, hence the studying. The day felt pleasant and fallish, and the sunlight was warm between my shoulder blades as I studied.

“This,” Saylor said, pointing to a picture of a stone fort at the edge of a cliff, “was the home of the Ephors. Or was. I have no idea if that’s where they’re still operating from.”

I ran my finger over the imposing building. It was huge and vaguely medieval-looking. There were even bars on the windows, and below, the Mediterranean, so blue it almost hurt to look at, crashed against a rocky shore.

“It’s . . . beautiful doesn’t seem like the right word.”

“It’s not,” Saylor agreed, taking another sip of lemonade. “It’s awe-inspiring and terrifying and lovely to look at, but not beautiful.”

There was a wistfulness in her voice, and I glanced up. “You miss it.”

It wasn’t a question. Saylor’s eyes were practically misty as she looked at the photograph.

“It was all I knew for a very long time. And don’t get me wrong, Pine Grove is very nice, but it’s not . . .” She trailed off, her fingers brushing the edge of the page. Then she cleared her throat and sat up a little straighter. “Anyway, that’s the seat of the Ephors. And how many are there?”

Sighing, I leaned back in my seat. “Five. They used to be elected by the Greek people, but now they choose their own successors. And they pass their power on via super creepy kissing, just like Paladins.”