Page 16 of Ruling Destiny

Even after dinner, instead of joining the rest of us in the Autumn room, Killian just wandered off on his own, just as he has every night since he returned.

For Braxton, that comes as a relief. But for me, well, I guess there’s still a part of me that feels like I owe Killian a debt I can never repay.

When he found me in that cell in Versailles, I was so lost in a Fade that if it weren’t for him, showing up with the talisman that I’d lost, I may have never found my way out.

Hell, I never would’ve made my way anywhere, seeing as how I was dangerously close to crossing my own timeline. And since the duality of existence results in nonexistence, I would’ve blinked out of the world as though I never was in it.

“You cannot enter the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.”

It’s a quote by Heraclitus that my dad once taught me. Which reminds me of the words engraved on the plaque that hangs over the entrance to Gray Wolf: “Panta rhei.”

Translation: “Everything flows.”

And while I’m still not sure exactly what it means, I do know there must be a connection between my dad teaching the eight-year-old version of me a quote and a phrase by the same ancient Greek philosopher being cited above the academy gate. It’s just too specific to be a coincidence.

My dad, this place, the missing pieces Arthur expects me to find from their various hiding spots throughout the world—throughout time—so he can finally realize his dream of restoring the Antikythera Mechanism to its original glory—it’s all related, all connected.

I just don’t know how.

I pass priceless pieces of art, breeze through the room where wingback chairs hang from thick silver chains. I’m about to make my way down the hall with the reclaimed-wood floors that always reminds me of a posh bowling alley when my slab chimes again.

Killian:FTR - I saw those 3 dots - u avoiding me, Shiv?

Shiv.The nickname he gave me in reference to the weapon I used on the duke that I crafted from a few pieces I pulled from my pannier. And as much as I like to pretend it annoys me, it mostly just makes me laugh. Also, if I’m being honest, it makes me feel kind of badass.

Better than my former nickname at my old school: loser.

Me:Nope. Just v busy w/v important things.

Killian:V important things = my specialty and u know how good I am at keeping secretsur secrets.

A furious blush spreads across my face. He’s referring to the kiss. That one time we first met when I was in a Fade. And the second time when…

I shake my head, annoyed with myself for even following this particular thought trail. While Killian insists I kissed him back, I remember it differently.

I remember biting his lip so hard, I tasted blood.

I ignore the message and pause before the door when my phone chimes again.

Killian:Ur killing me, Shiv. Whatsa boy gotta do 2 grab a coffee w/u?

This is followed by a string of broken-heart and coffee emojis.

Ugh. What is wrong with this guy? What will it take for him to give up?

I shake my head and thumb a quick reply.

Me:Can’t—sorry—heading to the library. Buried in research. Also, pls stop w/the emojis.

There. That should end it. I visit the Gray Wolf library nearly every day, researching stuff for my upcoming Trip to Renaissance Italy. And since I’ve never once seen Killian around, I figure he’s not all that big on reading or books.

I pull on my gloves and tug my hood so that it falls just short of my eyes, when a voice sounds from behind me.

“Well, isn’t this a wee bit of a head-scratcher. Findin’ ya standin’ ’ere like tis?”

I freeze. It’s Killian. Speaking in one of his many fake accents.Shit.

“And here I thought the library was in the exact opposite direction.”

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