10 Chapter 10

Blinding light slithered through the curtains, and my eyes fluttered open, squinting against the bright sun. It was Saturday morning. I stared at a set of ocean blue eyes, and blinked to clear the sleep from my eyes. He sauntered over to me, and planted himself next to me on the bed. I wrapped my arms around his waist and pulled him deeper into the bed, willing him to get comfortable - I wasn't ready to get out of bed quite yet. After drunkenly arriving at my dorm last night, I found myself restless in bed, and was struggling to recall memories of how I got back to my dorm.

"Did you have fun last night?" He smirked.

I nodded, rubbing the back of my hands on my eyes, and stifling a yawn. He replied with a smile, and kissed my forehead.

"The Head Instructor has requested us," Caeden sighed.

A groan escaped my throat as I settled on the fact that this day off probably wouldn't be a day off after all. Our eyes met, and a smile played at the corners of his lips. That smile could nearly make me delirious, and I instantly fumed with desire.

"I suppose he can wait a bit longer?" He smirked, lowering his face to my level. "After all, you did just wake up."

I invited him on top of me with open arms, and he trailed kisses down my jawline, finding his way to my neck. I wrapped my legs around his waist and pulled him closer. His hands wandered to my chest as his mouth found mine and fireworks burst inside me. Every kiss with him was like the first time, and I was so grateful to have him, to have all of him. I took his lip between my teeth, and grasped a handful of his onyx hair. I was so lost in the moment, I nearly didn't notice the doubt that started swirling in the pit of my stomach.

Just as he lifted off of me to pull his shirt off, the alarm on his wrist blared. The Head Instructor was calling for us, and he was not a patient man.

Caeden and I normally trained alone when we weren't in group ability training, with the exception of Dany on days that the Head Instructor gave us some leeway. Although Dany was favored by the population, Caeden and I were the Head Instructors prized students. He loved us as if we were his own flesh and blood, hence the laborious training hours. Soren is an immune, and his father isn't exactly proud of it. Given the fact that he doesn't have any powers, he doesn't participate in any of the ability training with us.

However, we often study with him and enjoy his company during our general education classes. The Head Instructor's expression almost always housed a stern expression, and to say he was strict was an understatement. He expected the best from us at all times, and it showed in his attitude. I often felt bad for Soren, and I empathize with him over his father's harsh treatment. Being an Immune born to one of the Few made it difficult for him to meet any of his father's expectations. His father had stated on multiple occasions that he wished Caeden was his son, and although he didn't state it directly, we knew he meant that he'd prefer Caeden over Soren.

Soren was a curious boy, and explored against his father's instructions. He was by far the smartest in his class, and even knew some facts that I didn't, which was impressive considering that most of my free time took place with my nose in a book. I always hoped he would develop abilities and prove that his father was wrong about him. Maybe he was just a late bloomer, or just hadn't discovered his abilities yet.

I couldn't understand why the Head Instructor was so displeased with his own son, and it was part of the reason that I could never fully trust him. Through his stern expression, I got the hint that the Head Instructor had secrets buried underneath his solemn features. Caeden thought I was crazy for thinking this. He had always looked up to the Head Instructor like a father, since his own parents had died during a scouting mission when he was just a baby. My own parents were rumored to be runaways. They supposedly left the colony in search of something greater, and left me behind in the process. The Head Instructor never hesitated to remind me that they wouldn't be returning, and resented the idea of giving me false hope.

I zoned in on the pit of my stomach, as memories of last night flooded my brain. Caedens midnight gaze fixed on me from across the room.

"Are you ready?" He asked.

I cleared my throat, my eyes fixed on the floor. I had to ask him about what I saw last night, but it was best to be subtle. Caeden was clever, and would know if I was up to something. Not only that, but I was awful at keeping a secret. Especially from him. So why was it so easy for him?

"Did you know that my parents are alive?" I spouted.

So much for subtle.