As if signing up to be a warden wasn’t bad enough, Dylan and Aiden would have to go through training. Mr. Johnson said the program had been accelerated so the wardens could get new members faster, which only made Dylan more cynical. Rushing through training? They’d only get shittier wardens than usual.
On top of that, they’d have to go to training mornings and weekends while still going to school. Less free time and more homework—just what he needed.
Classroom training on rules and regulations was three times a week. Dylan and Aiden walked into the room at city hall for their first class, and Dylan froze in the doorway.
“Oh hell no.”
Sitting behind the teacher’s desk was Warden Bully.
Aiden bumped into Dylan. “What—?” Then he saw Warden Bully too. “Oh crap.”
“I’m out of here.” Dylan turned to leave.
Aiden gripped his arm. “We have to. We made a promise.”
And it was literally impossible for Aiden to go back on that promise. If Dylan left, he’d be abandoning Aiden to deal with Warden Bully on his own. “He’s just going to yell at us and fail us anyway. Why even bother?”
“If we fail, then there’s nothing we can do. We fulfilled our obligation by trying, and then we’re off the hook.” Aiden frowned. “At least I think so.” He took a breath. “We just have to do our best.”
“Fine.” Dylan walked into the room, glaring at Warden Bully. I should have left you to die.
The man looked equally pleased to have Dylan in his class. “Mr. Galloway. Mr. Spencer. Welcome. Warden Johnson insisted that you be allowed into the program.”
The desire to say something rose in Dylan, and he fought it for a few seconds before giving in. “After what we did to save your asses, he’s sure we’re powerful enough to be wardens.”
“Dylan…” Aiden gave him a warning look.
Warden Bully tensed. “I can’t understand why he’d think you were capable of this kind of responsibility, but more than that, I can’t understand why you’d agree to be a warden. You hate everything we stand for.”
“Not everything. I don’t want to go around killing mundanes like those antitreaty people.” In his darkest fantasies, Dylan burned whole cities. But it had never been about killing people. It was about the wild destruction, setting his fire free. “And they attacked kids at prom. My friends.” The memories were fresh: chaos, people screaming as magic flew everywhere, adults attacking teenagers. “I’ll follow your stupid rules if I can protect this town against people like that.”
It was similar to the story Aiden helped Dylan come up with to explain it to his parents. Dylan had done his best to convince them, but he didn’t think they were buying it. They didn’t stop him from joining though.
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” Warden Bully studied him.
“We really do want to help,” Aiden said. Trying to smooth things over like usual.
Warden Bully drummed his fingers on the desk. “I’m wondering if this is some scheme to take the wardens down from the inside.”
Aiden’s mouth dropped open. “Wh-what?”
Dylan clenched his fists. “If I wanted you all dead, I could’ve said no when Mr. Johnson went to rescue you.” Guilt twisted inside him. He had wanted all the wardens dead, and he’d made an agreement with Morgan to make it happen. But he’d been younger and stupider then. Dylan still wanted freedom, but he wasn’t willing to slaughter a bunch of people to get it. “I could’ve left you there and watched Dalton’s mom tear you to pieces.”
Aiden put a hand on his arm. “Calm down.”
Warden Bully looked him straight in the eye. “It was surprising to learn you have a conscience.”
Dylan’s magic hummed inside him, and he took a step toward the man. “You—”
“No!” Aiden pulled him back. “Dylan, please.”
It was like last year all over again.
“Take your seats, gentlemen. It’s time to begin class.” Warden Bully’s tone was even, but his eyes were full of anger. “But rest assured, I’ll be watching both of you carefully.”
Aiden tugged him toward the rows of desks. Dylan realized they had an audience. All the other recruits were staring at them.
Dylan chose a seat all the way in the back. “He’s just gonna flunk us.”
“As long as we can get through this without you guys getting into a fight, I’ll call it a success.”