“We learned Anora Silby was kidnapped. When we finally found her, she was fighting a resurrected Lily,” Natalie says. “The boy—Jake—was already dead. We just wanted to get Anora out of there.”

“Was that before or after you learned she was the Eurydice?”

Neither of us speak. As far as Elite Cain is concerned, we all learned Anora was the Eurydice tonight. If he finds out it happened any other way, probation could turn into suspension, and I don’t think Anora’s safe among the Order with Roth as luminary.

“Before tonight, I’d have said you were both the best of your class. Now, I realize my mistake. You have so much to learn. I’m releasing you to your parents. Go.”

Our gazes shift toward the door where both of our fathers stand still and at attention. Natalie moves first; her dad gestures to have her exit in front of him. Then I’m left under my father’s cold gaze.

“Infirmary,” he says.

The medic cleans and bandages the scratches on my arm and a set on my face I didn’t notice until she starts spraying my cheek with sanitizer. Dad has stepped out to make a phone call. I can hear the timbre of his voice through the curtain. He’s talking to Mom, describing the scene—one human dead, Jacobi injured and unconscious, Natalie and I bruised up but okay, and Anora. He doesn’t mention our punishments, just says we’re all okay. While he doesn’t indicate when he’ll be home, he does say in the sincerest voice that he loves her.

As the call ends, the medic finishes up and switches places with my father. His presence fills the small, curtained compartment to bursting.

Before, I always thought my father never gave me the benefit of the doubt, but now I feel like maybe he’s been right all along. Maybe I am just an idiot.

“How long have you known Anora Silby was the Eurydice?” he asks.

I look at my wrist, pretending to read the time, and say, “Three hours.”

“Don’t you dare lie to me,” he says, and the threat in his voice makes me cold.

I grind my teeth together so hard, my jaw hurts. “For certain? A day.”

“How long have you had suspicions?”

“Since Vera disappeared. I just…I don’t trust Roth.”

“Trusting Roth has nothing to do with your job. Your orders are orders, and you obey them, even if you disagree.” He’s given me this lecture before. I hated it then, and as if sensing my protest, he closes the distance between us, hissing, “This is important, Shy. Do you remember what I told you?”

You might think you’re standing up for something grand, but when you do it wrong, it’s not you who will suffer for your actions; it’s the people you love.

I remember.