“Did you see anyone pass by?” the other added. “A young woman, perhaps?”
There was a long pause. Sweat slicked her palm around the pistol grip.
“Yes, actually. She went that way in quite a hurry. Dark hair, I think? Hard to tell in this light. But she was wearing a red jacket.”
The freezing cold sensation faded as footsteps moved away from the fountain. Kal waited, barely breathing, until the park fell silent once more.
“You can come out now,” he said.
Kal hesitated, then slowly rose from her hiding place. A young man leaned against the arch. He wore an expensive-looking cashmere coat with leather gloves dangling from one pocket. A university student, or just a rich boy. His hair was dark chestnut with a bit of wave to it. Eyes either blue or green, it was hard to tell.
His gaze traveled over her. “Snuck out, did you?”
Kal tensed. “What do you mean?”
“You’re one of those Lenormand girls.” He smiled. “The shiny shoes gave you away.”
She crossed her arms. “What’s it to you?”
“Nothing at all.” He pushed off the arch with a feline grace that suggested he wasn’t as drunk as he’d pretended to be. “It’s your business. I’m just glad to be of service. But you should be careful. This neighborhood isn’t as safe it looks.”
Blue eyes, she decided as he came closer. But dark, like the deepest parts of the sea.
“I’ll keep it in mind.” She felt suddenly awkward. “But really, thank you. You saved me from . . . a good deal of trouble. Breaking curfew could get me expelled.”
He studied her for a moment, his gaze intent as though she were a fascinating riddle. “Then why do it?”
Why indeed? Kal drew a breath, trying to think of a suitable reply. In the end, she settled on a partial truth. “Once you enroll, they don’t let you leave, not until you graduate. They say it’s for your own protection, and I do understand that, but . . .”
“You wonder what lies beyond the walls,” he finished. “And you want more than what they give you.”
She met his eyes. “Yes.”
For a moment, he looked serious, as though he understood her perfectly. Knew what it was to be caged, to yearn for freedom. Then a wry grin curled his lips. “Listen, I don’t usually chat up fugitives, but there’s a pub around the corner that’s open until one-thirty. Care to stop in for a quick drink? If you’re on the lam, you might as well make the most of it.”
His smile was disarming, but warning bells went off. “I wish I could,” she said quickly. “But after that close call, I’d better get back.”
He looked disappointed. On impulse, she rummaged through her pockets. Three strides later, she pressed a square wrapped in gold foil into his hand. “A small gift of thanks.”
He stared down at the chocolate bar like he’d never seen one before. “You don’t have to,” he said.
Kal grinned. “I know. That’s why it’s called a gift.”
His blue eyes widened in surprise as she leaned in and kissed his cheek. It was a little stubbly, but he smelled nice. Like rain-damp wool and a hint of soap.
“Stay out of trouble,” she whispered with a wink.
Kal turned away, walking quickly out of the park. When she glanced back, her savior was eating the chocolate. He gave her a wave.
Kal returned it with a mock salute, but her good mood soured as she remembered her own stupidity. Now the White Foxes knew she was in Arjevica.
She ran the whole way back. For once, she was glad to see the walls of the Lenormand School. What had felt like a prison was now her only safe haven. She grabbed a handful of ivy and started to climb, the bottles clinking in her pocket.
She kept thinking about her savior. Had he really taken her for a student sneaking out, or was the encounter not as random as it seemed?
“That’s the problem,” Durian whispered in her ear. “It’s not paranoia when they really are out to get you.”
His donkey bray chased her over the wall.
