Chapter 45: Getting Back to Normal (1)

Chapter 45: Getting Back to Normal (1)

This is so stupid, Xerxes thought as he crouched in a shadowy alcove in the corridor, around the corner from a storage closet where Enusat and his girlfriend were chatting with each other.

Hed resisted. Argued. But in the end, it became obvious that if he didnt help Enusat, he would put his relationship with the Swordmasters at risk.

Lurking there, he wished he had one of those fancy hand-held timepieces. For most of his life, such devices had been luxuries he didnt even bother dreaming about. With Purattus loan and the money his parents had given him, he could afford one. But it had always seemed like a waste of money.

How long has it been? Ten minutes? Twenty? More?

He shifted from one foot to the other and twisted so his left shoulder was against the cold wall instead of the right.

Because Enusat was so much shorter, hed taken the cloak Xerxes had worn during the last infiltration, leaving Xerxes with Kashtiliashs cloak. And the bearded mage was taller, which meant that the cloak was bigger. The thing was cumbersome. When walking, he had to grab the cloak and pull the hem up for fear of stepping on it. But at least it provided excellent cover when he wrapped it around himself.

It wasnt lost on him that Enusats illicit meeting was going much better than his own. He refused to let himself be disappointed.

Seconds ticked by that seemed like minutes. The sooner they were out of the female dorms and back in their own room, the better.

He heard something like the scrape of a shoe against the floor. He peered out of the alcove and into the corridor. It was empty.Follow current novels at novelhall.com)

What seemed like a few minutes later, he heard noise from the opposite direction.

It was Enusat and his Sin-Masu girlfriend. Both of them looked disheveled, and Enusat was even tucking his shirt into his pants.

Hurry up, Xerxes hissed.

They passed the alcove, and Enusat leaned toward him and said, Dont get jealous, Xerk. Ill be right back.

By right back Enusat apparently meant ten minutes. At least, thats what it felt like.

When he returned, his hair smoothed out and his shirt tucked in, he said, Mission accomplished. Lets go.

They padded through the corridors of the female dorms to the main entrance. The lock had long since been changed, but it had only taken a few days afterward before word spread about how to open it. Outside, it was a cloudy night, which made it easier to sneak around.

As they neared the entrance to the male dorms, Enusat chuckled. Told you it would go smoothly.

They closed the final cubits, and then the shorter mage reached out to the door.

Gandash stopped talking and blinked a few times. Xerk?

Ill make this up to you, he whispered.

His friends posture loosened. His shoulders slumped. His lower lip quivered, and he shook his head. Xerk. You I cant believe.

Xerxes stomach seized with guilt. Its complicated, he said. You wouldnt understand. I can explain later.

Gandash bit his lip and shook his head even harder.

I understand completely, Gandash said, stepping out of the doorway. He made an exaggerated welcoming gesture as if to say go on in, then he turned and walked away.

Xerxes stepped to the door. Gandy, he said.

His friend just kept walking.

Shit. With one last look at Gandash, he entered the male dorm complex. As the door closed behind him and he hurried toward his dorm room, his throat felt thick.

He half-expected the dorm to be locked, but it wasnt. He entered, closed it, and locked it.

What happened? Enusat whispered.

Yeah, Jad added. Whats going on?

Xerxes didnt say anything. He pulled the big cloak off himself, balled it up, and threw it into the corner.

Ey, Xerk! Enusat said, even louder. What the fuck appened? Did that bastard

Shut up! Xerxes yelled, stomping over, kicking his shoes off and climbing up to his bunk.

Xerk, if e says something, we both

I said to shut the FUCK up! He threw himself onto his pillow, crossed his arms, and started up at the ceiling.

After that, nobody said anything.