Page 63 of Validus Vale Academy 1
No, I can trust Ludo.
“I can hear the thoughts in other people’s heads.” I’m met by a blank look. “I try not to,” I rush on, desperate to explain—it’s like admitting I’m a peeping Tom, a voyeur. “Most of the time, I can tune them out, and…with you? You hardly broadcast your thoughts at all,” I tell him. “But I think… if you wanted to,” I pause, another deep breath, “you could speak to me with your mind.” I offer a small, tentative smile, praying he doesn’t think I’m completely deranged.
Ludo stares down at the concrete floor.
Gods, what an idiot I am. I’ll be turned into some kind of lab rat before the week is out.
—Can you hear this?—
My mouth drops open. “Ludo! Yes! Say something else.”
A pause stretches between us.
—I won’t tell your secret—
“Thank you,” I whisper, my eyes filling with tears.
—Also—
“Yes?”
—There’s a giant cobweb caught in your hair—
“What?” I quickly pull at my lengths, shaking my head from side to side. “Ugh.” Ludo’s massive paw reaches out gently and plucks a spider from the end of my curls. “Thanks.”
—Cobweb—
“Cobweb?”
—Cobweb can make cob, web, cow, bow, woe…can you think of any others?—
I can’t keep the huge grin off my face. “Bob?” I offer.
—Right.—Ludo’s mismatched eyes move over my face.—Are you truly my friend, Theo?—
“Yes, I mean I hope so…if you want me to be.”
—Very much—
Ludo drops down and begins packing his kit. I kneel on the floor, gathering the scattered screws, the metallic chink of tools loud in the quiet space between us. Passing him a handful, our fingers meet for a moment. An unexpected feeling has me wanting to trace the lines of his palm, the rough, calloused skin. I quickly pull back, confused at the sensation. A low sound rumbles in Ludo's throat, something between a sigh and a growl.
—Thank you, Theo. For giving me this gift—
“You’re welcome,” I whisper, feeling my heart do a somersault. My emotions are all over the place at the moment. I guess it’s not surprising.
As he’s leaving, Ludo stops at the top of the stairs, gesturing at the door. My gaze follows his hand to see a heavy, deadbolt, newly installed.
“A new lock?”
The side of Ludo’s mouth twitches. —Forgot we can speak like this. What I want to say is…lock yourself in when you’re here alone, OK?—
“I will. Thanks again, Ludo.”
—Thank you, Theo—
After he leaves, I climb the stairs and reach for the bolt. When I slide it into place, the solid thunk allows my body to fully relax for the first time in days.
And now?
