87
“Surprise!” Elodie leans against the doorframe with a sharp gaze and a mile-wide grin. “Bet you didn’t see this little plot twist coming.”
I stand frozen before her. My heart has plummeted to my belly, and I have no idea what to think. Is this some sort of prank? Is this even Braxton’s room? And if so, why the hell is Elodie here, looking so at home?
“Stop messing with her already, so we can pop the champagne!” The voice belongs to Jago, and just as I’m about to turn on my heel and leave, he pushes Elodie aside and pulls the door wide.
Inside, I count Oliver, Finn, Song, Roxane, Keane, Hawke, and there, standing before a window that looks out onto an expansive ocean view, I find Braxton.
Dressed in a pair of slim dark jeans, an ivory silk button-down shirt, and a velvet smoking jacket the same shade of blue as his eyes, his expression is murky, but if I had to describe it, I’d say it’s equal parts guilty and apologetic, though I guess he never actually said it was a celebration for two.
As I enter, everyone stands and applauds and, deciding it’s best to play along, I curtsy before them.
As promised, Jago pops the champagne and hands me a glass, as the rest of them say, “Speech—speech—speech!”
Doing my best impression of an Academy-Award-winning actress, I press the flute to my chest and gaze out among them. “This is such a wonderful honor!” I gush. “First, I’d like to thank the academy, literally Gray Wolf Academy. Also, my heart swells with gratitude to all of you lovely friends who helped make this possible—whatever the hellthisactually is. À ta santé!”
I raise my glass and take a sip, watching as they drink along with me.
“Anyone going to tell me what’s really going on?” I ask, expecting Elodie to take the lead, since she’s the designated leader of everything. But it’s Braxton who steps forward.
“Natasha Antoinette Clarke.” He stands before me and places a hand on each of my shoulders as though I’m about to be knighted. “Today you’ve accomplished something truly remarkable. You’ve taken part in a miracle born of science, knowledge, nature, and the visionary genius that made the dream possible. Today you’ve achieved what most consider unachievable, and now, after weeks of extensive training and a successful first Trip, we invite you to join our small, elite group of chrononauts. Tasha, welcome to the AAD Club.”
He reaches into his pocket and retrieves a gold ring he fits onto the middle finger of my right hand. It’s a lot like the ring he often wears, the one he nervously twists whenever he’s trying to hold something back. When I glance at everyone else, I see they’re wearing the same ring as well.
It’s a signet ring. Flat and square on top, it has an engraving across the front that features a crest with the academy emblem, two more symbols I take to represent wind and time, and the profile of a wolf bordering either side. At the bottom are the initials AAD.
“What does AAD stand for?” I ask.
“Arthur’s Artful Dodgers!” Finn cries, lifting his glass along with everyone else. “Welcome to the family!”
I look to Braxton in confusion.
“FromOliver Twist,” he whispers, and I immediately recall reading that book back in ninth grade English class.
It’s about an orphan who joins a gang of juvenile pickpockets overseen by a man named Fagin, who sends them out to thieve in exchange for shelter and food.
“Oh my God,” I gasp, as the full reality of my life settles upon me. Jago, Elodie, Song, Oliver, Finn, Hawke, Keane, Roxane, Arthur—they really are my new family.
But before the thought can truly take hold, Braxton pulls me into his arms, kisses me just north of my ear, and whispers, “Welcome back. I’m sorry to surprise you with this, but I promise to make it up to you later.”