Page 59 of Fallen Gods
More than that, a few days ago, Rowen wasn’t permitted to help me at all.
What changed?
I jolt when Aric returns, sidling up next to me. “Friend of yours?”
“Wow.” I slow clap in an attempt to recover from my own dark thoughts. “You know what friends are? Color me impressed.”
Reeve comes up behind his brother, putting an affectionate arm around his shoulders. “He can spell ‘cat,’ too. It’s wild. I’m still dumbfounded.”
Aric shoves him lightly, and Reeve pretends to clutch his arm in pain.
I lift my chin. “Nice speech, by the way.”
He grimaces.
Sigurd clears his throat into the microphone, causing feedback to fill the air, and several hundred students collectively groan.
“Not again,” Aric mumbles.
“Sorry. Sorry ’bout that.” Sigurd smiles like,little ol’ me doesn’tknow how to work a mic. “This concludes our ceremony. Thank you for attending today’s assembly! Remember to download the Endir app, and new students and transfers can collect your final enrollment packets at table three.” He points to the left corner of the room. “Lastly, don’t forget to sign up for this week’s activities!”
“There’s more?” I choke.
“So much more.” Reeve’s smile is creepy big.
Sigurd speaks with a flourish. “Throughout the week, we’ll be having an ice cream social—”
“Which we will not be attending,” Reeve says under his breath.
“Followed by fireworks over the lake.”
“Also not attending, because the fireworks at our end-of-the-week house party are better,” Reeve adds.
“And our annual capture-the-flag-slash-Nerf-battle.”
Reeve’s hand shoots up. “That Iwillbe going to.”
“And finally, as has long been an Endir tradition, we will welcome our esteemed alumni, parents, students, and faculty to participate in the Wild Hunt for good luck! Feast and games provided, of course. If you make it through the treacherous trails, that is.”
Everyone laughs.
Reeve smiles. “That Iwillbe planning.”
“There are also several department-led mixers so you’re able to get to know other students within your major. Good luck.” Sigurd finally gets off the microphone and hands it to one of the staff.
Reeve breathes a sigh of relief. “Hide that microphone. Put it in your pants if you have to. Do not hand it back.”
And just like that, my first and final week at Endir is officially underway.
Gods be with us.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Rey
I quickly download the Endir campus interactive app on my phone, then follow the herd to the activity tables. I make a show of studying the sign-up sheets without actually signing up for anything, then grab my final enrollment packet and beeline out the door.
I’ve got two hours before my first class.
