The chauffeur dropped me off in front of Knights Hall, and I checked the time on my wristcom. Ten o'clock. It was well after curfew for students, but I'd been cleared for a family outing.

Mother kissed above my cheek to avoid a lipstick stain. "Castor and I are staying at Highveld for the next two days, and we'll be in Lesiranon for two weeks after. Do call if you need anything."

I tipped my hat to her. "Of course. I hope the mission project goes well."

"Thank you." She smiled over her shoulder. "Good night, my darling."

I stayed until they drove out of sight. Once alone, I straightened my jacket and strolled across campus to Blakely. It was a cold, damp night. I'd become surprisingly used to the chill on the homeworld, and even enjoyed it on occasion. Something about it made my heart beat faster, blood pump through my veins, senses keen and ready for anything. A predatory awareness wakened with my body's rush to warm itself, to survive against ruthless environments. The forecast predicted snow within the next few weeks. It would be my first time living where winter turned all to white, and I hoped I could adapt.

I hopped over a large puddle before the steps to Blakely House and removed my top hat as I entered. The brass framed doors creaked shut behind me. As it was bedtime, the common room and foyer were dim. Only the Housemaster was awake, waiting at his desk for me to arrive home. Mr. Worthington's grin stretched over most of his face, though his eyelids were heavy. He signed me in, then bade me good night.

Floorboards creaked as I proceeded down the hall. Gerald always bolted the door, and I fumbled for the keys in my pocket. They fell out with a loud clatter. As I bent to pick them up, my Sight flashed. I was a wolf, running, panting for breath. Bits of sharp bone and rock sliced into my paws. Blood dripped beneath me, sticky and hot, sinking into the barren earth. With a canine yelp of pain, my vision jolted to reality.

I gasped, placing a hand on the doorknob as my bearings returned. What sort of omen was this? My perception remained open, though elevated by lingering traces of the Otherworld. I mumbled a brief prayer to Fenvolvna, then unlocked the door.

The room was dark, and I stumbled over the edge of the rug, knocking over the coat rack. "Damn it."

The lamp flickered on.

Gerald sat up in his bed, rubbing his eyes with one hand. "Good grief, Silas. I almost thought an elephant stumbled in. Are you alright?"

"If I can find my way through the shadows without breaking anything, yes." I set my hat and coat onto my desk, and gave him a sidelong glance. "You've been difficult to catch up with lately."

He yawned. "I've been busy. Sorry about that."

How rude of him to dismiss me. "I thought you were avoiding me," I said.

He perked to attention, and his brow furrowed. "Is this regarding you and Tamsin Lovejoy? Listen, can we talk about it in the morning? I'm exhausted."

I stood, and paced toward his bed. "I'd like a word with you now."

"I don't want to talk right now. I had a long day."

I snapped my head around, fists clenched. "I insist. This can't wait."

My muscles tensed. I needed him to cooperate with me. All I'd learned from Mother, the Order, and my own instinct drew to sharp focus. Be calm, persuasive, always the one in control. I sat at the foot of his bed. "What I really am is disappointed. When I've needed to talk to you, you obviously turned your back on me."

The trap was set with razored honey, and I threw in a little guilt to make it sting.

His gaze darted. "I'm sorry. But what am I supposed to think? It's not my business what you do with girls in the dark, especially with a Lovejoy. That's an issue for you and your parents to hash out, not me."

He was still hiding something. Power rushed along my skin, raising the small hairs on my arms and neck. He was like a brother to me. Regardless, he'd witnessed my most perilous secret, and I needed him on my side. He was vulnerable--tired, confused, and unsettled. All was in my favor, but I decided to up the pressure. The temptation to test my power on someone was irresistible. I opened my palms, and released my etheric influence onto him with a quiet exhale. Invisible strands crept from my soul, entangling him in my will.

"So, you aren't going to tell anyone about it?" I leaned closer to him.

"Of course not. As I said, it isn't my business. I may not agree, but I'd never do something like that to a friend."

My claws were entrenched, ready to flay the truth. "Oh? What do you disagree with?"

"Why the hell are you asking me that?"

I shrugged. "Just curious. I'd assumed you'd be more sympathetic. Perhaps I was wrong."

"Sympathetic? Are you mad? I caught you necking with your family's greatest enemy. Do you want me to congratulate you for endangering Tamsin's reputation as well as yours?"

At last, I was getting somewhere. I flexed my fingers, sending more intent toward him. I'd never used my abilities to their fullest before, and they were working perfectly. "Deception, and danger for the sake of someone you care about. You're quite familiar with this concept, if I recall you and Rosalie Ayala correctly."

His jaw dropped. "I can't believe you're bringing that up. Rosalie and I split up two years ago. And it's entirely different."

"I don't see how it's different. Your father told you to stay away from her, and you continued to see her behind his back." Noting his flinch, I threw another jab. "I also covered for you both, on multiple occasions. The incident at the Interplanetary Prospectors Banquet comes to mind, when I lied to our fathers for you."

"Why are you doing this, Silas? I'm not against you. I just don't want to be involved." The color rose in his face. He grew more flustered by the second.

"I'm asking you to return the favor I once gave you."

His laughter cracked, a desperate sound. "You're risking a lot for Tamsin. Is she really worth the trouble?"

I almost had him.  "I'm in love with her." The truth, used as a mask, was the final swing. "I'd like you to not only keep the secret, but to help me continue it."

He sprang out of bed, eyes widening. "You can't be serious. This is going to backfire on you. Listen to me, as your friend. End it now, before something terrible happens."

I stood beside him, and laid a hand on his shoulder. My fingers seared with unseen forces he couldn't comprehend. "There's something else troubling you," I said. "Tell me why you disagree, and don't just recite the threats posed by my family and society."

"Because..." He paused, power still racing between us. "I've asked a few times where you were these late nights out, and I've suspected you had a girlfriend. You lied about it every time. And to me, supposedly your best friend. All for a fling."

Control. Must never be outwardly disturbed by insults, or accusations. "Sometimes lies are necessary to protect what's important. This is much more than a fling, and I'll do whatever it takes to be with her."

He looked away, tugging at his collar. "Weird. It's getting hot in here. Like the air's choking me." He cracked the nearest window open, then unbuttoned his pajama shirt. Sweat glistened on his brow. "Silas, you're one of the only people I look up to in life. You always know the right thing to do. But I don't think Tamsin is the girl for you. Take it from me, I'm always the one falling for girls when I shouldn't. Don't let yourself be so obsessed with a person that you forget everything else."

I had him in all realms. In the Otherworld, my lupine jaws pinned him by the throat. "Do you remember the conversation we had over chess recently?" I asked, tone imploring. "When I mentioned we can't know the future, so it's best to just take the leap?"

He blinked. "Of course. Were you alluding to your affair with that little insight?"

"I meant what I said. I refuse to live quietly, watching things happen, accepting the blind sort of existence our parents have."

"So, you've finally stopped being so uptight." He laughed, though unease still lined his features. "I've always given you hell about it. Guess I've gotten what I asked for, huh?"

I smiled. A compliment would sweeten my grasp on him, and might sway him to wanting it. "As you say you've admired me, I've always admired you.  I'm honored to call you my friend."

He relaxed noticeably. "I'm sorry for doubting you. I'm just watching out for you, like we promised all those years ago. I can tell there's no talking you out of this. If you really care for her as much as you say, I'll help you."

I laid in bed later, pleased with my win, and the successful display of my power. It was subtle, yet so precise. Part of me cringed that I'd manipulated him in such a way. However, I now knew what I was capable of. Above all, I'd gotten exactly what I wanted from him. I howled to a bold, clear moon within my dreams.