Page 64 of Ava's Love of the Dragons
"What do the other teachers say about where she is?"
"There are so many eager children here—no one pays attention to a girl who doesn't want to be in school."
Marcus just grinned. "Knowing her, she's snuck off to do her own thing. We don't need to worry. I'd much rather know where she is and hide with her."
"But she can't take her training lightly." Lynn let her gaze sweep through the huge dining hall. The girl was nowhere to be seen in the bustle.
Ava stood up and was searching the crowd with her when Kilian and Allan entered the room. It was like a magnet, with Ava's attention immediately darting to him and his to her. They looked at each other for a moment before Kilian turned his attention away as if she were just anyone. Ava fought back the lump in her throat, instead continuing to scan the hall for Lilly.
"I'll help you find her." She wanted to rush out of the hall with Lynn, but Magg shook her head.
"I'll help her search, you'd better stay here." She subtly nodded to a group of cadets who appeared to be casually loitering by the door. They were probably just waiting for an opportunity to catch Ava alone.
She had really gone from the frying pan into the fire.
Reluctantly, she sat back down on the bench and nodded to Magg. "Thanks. And if you find her, tell her I'm working on it."
"On what?" Marcus wanted to know, but Magg just nodded and accompanied Lynn out of the dining hall.
If she were Lilly, she would have disappeared too. The girl had probably taken her new best friends— the three thickbooks—to go find a cozy corner and do whatever she pleased. Definitely enviable. But as soon as Ava had a plan for how they could get out of here, she would be in control of her daily life again.
The afternoon program worked up as much sweat as the morning, and after dinner Ava went straight to her room together with Magg. They showered one after the other and collapsed onto their mattresses. In silent agreement, they kept their uniforms on. In this training camp, they had to be combat-ready day and night.
Only when they were lying down did Ava's gaze fall on Lynn's and Lilly's beds. Both were empty. She immediately sat up again. "Where are those two?"
Magg had followed her gaze and also jumped up. Before she could answer, someone burst through the door. Lynn came running in, a fear in her eyes that brought the sweat back to Ava's brow. Gasping, she struggled for breath.
Ava rushed to her. "Where's Lilly?"
"Gone."
"What do you mean by gone?"
"That I couldn't find her anywhere."
"Surely she's just hidden herself well."
The girl had lived on the streets for years without being caught by the soldiers. If anyone knew how to be inconspicuous, it was Lilly.
"I don't think so. No one has seen her since this morning. Ava, something's not right."
Ava looked thoughtfully at Magg, who shrugged her shoulders helplessly. "You know her better than I do."
Ava focused her thoughts on Draco."Do you know where she is?"
"I have an idea."
"Tell me."
Draco let out a deep, animalistic growl."I've just picked up her trail. It leads into the forest."
"Draco says she's in the forest." She wanted to rush to the door, but both Magg and Lynn blocked her way. The cadet crossed her arms over her chest.
"Forget it! You're not allowed to leave the grounds."
Lynn nodded in agreement, but Ava looked at the two challengingly. "I'm going out now to look for Lilly. Either you stay here or you help me, but you're not stopping me!"
The two exchanged a brief glance before looking her firmly in the eyes. "We're coming with you."
