Page 22 of The Scars Within
“Yes,” Professor Hogboom said, his voice cutting through the tension. “I am here to tell you that what you know about our history may not be the truth. I wish I could stand here and assure you that everything you’ve learned is accurate, neatly transcribed, and unchallenged. But life is rarely that simple. And, most unfortunately, secrets long buried within these halls have begun to surface.”
His gaze swept over the room, pinning us in place. “We have lived in peace for nearly five hundred years, separated from Tyria by the Barren Watch. But as fragments of Kalymdor’s true history come to light, I leave you with this: your only homework for this class is to keep your mind open. Learn this college’s history—inside and out. You never know when it might mean the difference between life and death.”
A heavy silence settled over us, like a thick fog laden with the weight of untold secrets. His words pressed down, twisting in my mind. I didn’t know what to think.
Professor Hogboom’s voice dipped, barely above a whisper. “As for the mages who fought during the Battle for Mareki—it is not known what truly became of them. But one thing is certain.”
He paused, the moment stretching taut.
“They did not simply burn to ash.”
After History of Warfare, I decided to grab a dinner plate to-go and find a quiet spot to continue readingThrone of Steel. The main character was starting to suspect something unusual going down in the palace, and I was eager to see what would happen next.
I exited the cafeteria with my plate in one hand and my book in the other when I noticed Rhodes passing by. He had a book of his own under his arm, his face set in its usual stern expression. Our eyes met briefly, and he glanced down to see what I was carrying. Rhodes paused, his mouth opening as if he was about to say something, but someone behind me called my name before he could.
“Scar!”
I turned slowly, keeping my eyes on Rhodes until I saw the muscle in his jaw flex. Without a word, he continued on his way, leaving me wondering what he might have said. As I stood there, still processingRhodes’s fleeting look, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Turning around fully, I saw Shayde grinning at me, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
“Hey, Scar,” he said, a playful lilt in his voice. “Got a minute?”
“What’s up, Shayde?” I asked, trying to match his casual tone.
He glanced around, ensuring no one else was listening, then leaned in slightly close enough that I could smell the citrusy bergamot and spice from his skin. “We’re having a little get-together tonight in the Sanctuary. Just a few of us, some good drinks, music, maybe even a bit of dancing. Thought you might want to join.”
I hesitated, glancing down at my book and dinner plate. “Is that allowed?”
Shayde waved a dismissive hand. “Part of the fun is not knowing the answer to that question. Trust me, it’ll be worth it. Join us just this once; if you don’t want to do it again, I won't ask questions.”
His deep brown eyes looked down at me softly. Shayde is the complete opposite of his brother. He shamelessly tells me what is going on in his head so I don't have to second-guess.
Despite my initial reluctance, I leaned on the fact that Shayde is the easy one to talk to and believe. I held my pointer finger up, “No questions asked if I decide to ghost you afterward?” I raised a brow, hoping that he could sense my playful demeanor.
Shayde held his pinky to my pointer finger and smiled, “Pinky promise.”
Butterflies fluttered in my chest as I wrapped my pointer finger around his pinky and shook it like a handshake.
“Alright, fine,” I said, a smile tugging at my lips. “When?”
“Now,” Shayde deadpanned and winked, taking the dinner plate from my opposite hand.
As we walked through the halls, I managed to steal glances at him. Shayde nodded and grinned at almost every cadet we passed, once again proving how different he was from Rhodes. Some cadets glanced at meand waved, too, which I awkwardly returned. Shayde stayed a foot ahead of me, carrying my tray.
“Did you not want to grab something for yourself?” I asked, trying to cover my nervousness.
“I did. Thanks for the meal!” He glanced over his shoulder, raising my tray.
I twisted my lips and glared.
As we neared the Sanctuary, Shayde spoke up, startling me. “The secret to hanging out in the Sanctuary is to do it while the guards are on their dinner break. The area is guarded on the outside during their break, so the inside of the cavern is unoccupied.”
I took in that knowledge. “Oh.”
Shayde jumped in front of me, stopping me in my tracks, a mischievous grin spreading across his face, revealing a dimple on his right cheek. “Welcome to our hangout,” he said, backing into the Sanctuary door while simultaneously opening it.
The space that had seemed calm and tranquil earlier that day was now packed with older cadets in and around the hot springs. Some were eating their dinners, others had small containers in their hands from which they were taking small sips, and some cadets, doing neither of those things, seemed to be getting extra friendly with each other in one of the springs.
“This way,” Shayde said, leading me to a spring in the back corner. He introduced me to some of his friends while Davis poured everyone a glass of a dark brown liquid with foam forming at the top.
