We part ways soon after. Despite my fear of being overheard, our conversation in the maze was completely private. As far as I can tell, at least.

I hadn't heard, smelled, or seen anyone the entire time we were in there. It doesn't lessen my suspicion that word will make its way back to Singh.

For a while, things are normal. Other than Ryan replacing Tarak during training, it's almost like nothing's changed.

Singh doesn't make any moves.

I don't even know what moves I can make.

Soon after the bonding ceremony, Tomas tells me he's reinstated as a Hunter. Then, Singh more or less told him and Tae to leave the island.

I think even Tomas is hesitant to leave, despite his past protests to Tae about staying.

But, eventually, they do leave. I see them off as the sun is rising in the distance.

Tomas slips a burner into my hand and gives me a sharp nod.

Tae worries over me for much longer than necessary. If Tomas didn't pull her away, I'm not sure she would've left.

I keep the burner on me at all times, even though there's nothing I'll be able to do with it. It's not like Tae and Tomas will come rushing to my aid if I need them. Tae might, but I can't let her endanger her or her family like .

A few days later, I'm sitting on my bed, staring at Tae's contact when someone knocks on my door.

I slip the burner under my mattress and stand. An uneasy feeling fills my chest as I go to answer it.

Apparently, the feeling was right.

Augustus sinks back in my mind as I come face to face with Singh.

If she wasn't flanked by Tarak and Ryan, I'd assume she'd come to end me. If it was just Tarak, I'd probably still assume that.

I don't salute like I'm supposed to, making her eyes burn as she stares me down. "Singh," I greet. "Little Singh." I nod to Tarak, who scowls. I smile at Ryan, to get under Tarak's skin. Even after our talk, I find myself wanting to annoy him as much as possible. Years of frustration at him working for his mother finally hit the breaking point. I'll support him if he turns on her, but for now, while he's still her lap dog, he gets the full force of me being a prick. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Singh sets her jaw. "As you know, you weren't assigned a post off the island because your Protector had failed to graduate."

Tarak looks down.

Augustus nearly slams into the back of my forehead.

A migraine splits my skull. I have to force back a grimace. "You're assigning us a mission?" I ask.

Singh nods. "You leave in the morning. You'll stay on base for a while until the Commanders there determine you're both fit for battle."

"You already know we're fit for combat. We graduated, didn't we?"

"You graduated a year ago and Ryan's Hunter died. I'm not sure either of you are fit for combat. You'll do as I've instructed."

"No," Augustus rasps.

"Of course," I say. "I would never disobey the Headmistress."

She sneers. "Safe travels, Crane."

I almost tell her to shove it, but I just give her the most mocking salute I can.

Once she's gone, Ryan raises his eyebrows at me. "That was like watching a dog fight." He glances towards Tarak, as if he wants him to leave. Tarak leans against the opposite wall, looking like he's not going to leave until Ryan does. Ryan sighs and his shoulders slump. "I'll see you in the morning."

Tarak watches him walk down the hall. After he rounds a corner, Tarak looks back at me. "Can I come in?"

I put my arm across the open doorway, leaning against the doorframe. "No."

He pushes off the wall and comes to a stop in front of me. He's close enough to warm my face with his breath. "I've been taking make-up exams. I'm going to graduate this summer. All I have to do is pass the combat exam."

"Why are you telling me this? You can't even be my Protector for another year. Unless you have another Hunter in mind."

"There's only you," he snaps. "You could have two Protectors."

"Only your mom gets more than one."

He huffs and grabs my shirt, gripping it in his fist over my stomach. "That's a stupid rule."

"Tarak, just forget the damn exams. Focus on your studies. Don't graduate because of me. Wait until you're ready."

He huffs and shakes his head. "I'll see you off in the morning."

"Tarak," I snarl, but he keeps walking away. "Tarak!" He doesn't stop. I shove off my doorframe and march to him. "Hey! Tarak!" I grab his arm and yank him around so hard he staggers into my chest.

"Watch it!" he shouts, hitting me in the chest. His hand lingers there too long, but I don't mind it.

"Forget the exams," I order. "Do not graduate."

He lifts his chin. "Why should I give a damn what you say?"

"I'm trying to look out for you, Tarak. Do not take those exams. I mean it."

"And why do you care?"

I growl in the back of my throat. I grab his shoulders and shake. "I don't want you to graduate!"

"Why!?"

"Because I don't want you out in the field!" I shout. My ears are ringing. I know there are people in their dorms listening, but I can't pull myself back to reality. The idea of Tarak in a life-or-death situation is making me see red. "Tarak, I don't want you getting hurt."

His hand strokes my chest and he sighs, "I know the feeling." Then he pats my face and gives a lopsided smile. "Unfortunately for you, you've lost your privileges to tell me what to do. I am going to take those exams and graduate this summer. And when this is all over, you will bind yourself to me again."

"I don't know about that."

"I do," he assures. "I'm figuring out what I want and... All I know for sure is I don't want to be my mom's pawn anymore. And I don't want to lose you."

"Why can't you just stay on the island until my year with Ryan is over? It's safer."

His eyes search mine. "You don't get it."

"Get what?"

Tarak ducks his head, making his short, brown hair tickle my nose. "Nothing, Mason. Just... forget it. I'm taking those ."

It's hard to watch him walk away. I wish he'd listen to me and forget about graduating soon.

Augustus's amusement floods me as I shut my bedroom door.

"What?" I growl.

"You sure worry a lot for someone you don't care about anymore."

"I never said I don't care about him. I said I don't have feelings for him anymore."

"So, it's nothing but friendly concern for the son of the enemy?"

A huff escapes me as I throw myself onto my bed. I stare up at the popcorn ceilings and roll my lip between my teeth. "It's not his fault he got caught in the middle."

Augustus quiets at that. It's a long time before they ask, "am I the reason you're caught in the middle?"

"You didn't start this."

"I got you involved."

"My parents got me involved. Singh got me involved the night she tried to cover up evidence and get my friends killed. All you've done is hitch a ride without asking for the help I promised."

Augustus slips away from the front of my mind like an abused dog. "There may be something we can investigate... In the city."

"Why didn't you want me to go, then?"

My hands start to tremble and my knees feel weak. If I'd been standing, I would've collapsed. "I'm having trouble remembering why saving the world is worth it," they whisper into my mind. Their voice floats around my skull and makes my ears feel stopped up. "I'm tired of sacrificing the things I care about."

I think they mean me, but why would they care about me so soon after meeting? All I did was give them a place to hide. I haven't saved them. For a moment, I consider their words. I understand not wanting to save the world. I understand how difficult it is to think it deserves to be saved. But I also know there are people we care about in this world. Even Augustus. "Sacrifice comes in many forms, Augustus. If we don't save the world, it'll devour the things we care about."

"I'll lose the only thing that matters either way."

"What? Your life?"

They swirl around my mind, coiling into themself. "In a way."

This is the part where I usually get mad at them for keeping things. But they feel so tired. It's weighing on me too, dragging my shoulders down. Filling me with an exhaustion so deep it makes my bones feel brittle. "We're going to figure this out."

Augustus doesn't answer. They sink deeper into my mind until I'm alone again.

They don't usually pay attention to what I'm doing when they're that far gone. Maybe this is the time to get real answers.

I push myself up on the bed, digging my fingers into the mattress. I'll be gone from the island tomorrow. If I want to look for answers, I have to do it now.