Chapter 36: The Rogue Council

Blake came to walk with me to breakfast the next morning.

“You look chipper this morning,” he noticed.

“Trent called.”

He smiled and let out a breath of relief. I felt touched to realize that his concern for Trent, Ms. Julie, and my uncle were genuine. I leaned into him and he gave me a hug. I squeezed him back and allowed myself to feel comforted by his hands as they gently rubbed my back.

“Come on,” I said. “I’m starving.”

“Me too,” he replied, pulling apart and leading the way. “How are your classes going?”

“Oh, they’re fine. Nothing really hard. I’m studying so that I can score as high as possible. Everything counts in the Rogue Trials,” I said, and watched as a strange expression washed over his face. “What is it?”

He shook his head as if he didn’t want to say anything.

“Come on,” I encouraged him. “What are you thinking?”

“I don’t like it that you call yourself a rogue,” he finally admitted.

“But… That’s what I am,” I answered with a shrug.