The Acropolis

by R.K. Ryals

  Chapter 31

  Conor

  I knew as soon as I saw Gibson's eyes that Roach was going to be assigned as Emma's new Guardian. He isn't at the Acropolis because of me. He's here for her. She'll be dead within hours under his watch. Out of all of us, Roach holds the biggest grudge against Demons. His resentment runs deep. His sister was raped and murdered by a Demon, and he has been full of hatred ever since. Gibson knows this. It makes me wonder why he assigned Roach in the first place. Do they fear Emma that much?

  "We've got to get you out of here," I say as soon as the door shuts behind us in the small room at the back of the residence hall.

  Emma stares at me.

  "What?" she asks, her eyes wide. "Are you suggesting we run?"

  "Yes," I answer.

  She sits down heavily on the edge of the bottom bunk.

  "Where would we go?"

  I sit down next to her, my hand moving to her back. She doesn't pull away. If anything, she leans into my touch, and I let myself enjoy it.

  "To Italy. To Alessandro."

  Emma's eyes meet mine.

  "You can't do this."

  I know she feels what I'm feeling, know she recognizes my resignation.

  "I am more gargoyle in this moment, sweetheart, than I ever would be if I stayed. Understand me? Gargoyles don't allow the innocent to be murdered no matter the blood that runs through their veins. I am not making a decision I will regret."

  "And he won't be alone," a male voice adds.

  I look up to see Will standing in the open doorway. The residence hall beyond is empty. Will smiles.

  "You're getting sloppy, Cuz," he says with a wink.

  I know he's referring to his entering the room without me noticing.

  "You're not coming," I argue. "I'm breaking the law, Will. They'll write an Extermination notice for me and Emma. I won't let you do that to yourself."

  Will crosses his arms.

  "I'm not asking, Con. You know as well as I do that the gargoyle system has got to change. This is a new age. We need new laws. More tolerance. This could be our chance to change things, to make the Acropolis great."

  I see idealism in Will's gaze, and I don't want to be the one to shatter it.

  "It's three of us, Will. Running now isn't going to change the system."

  "There's four of us," a soft voice adds, and I groan as I recognize Marion's lilting tone.

  She moves into the room with Deidra clinging to her.

  "Five," Deidra squeaks.

  Emma stands up.

  "No, they'll try to kill all of you because of me. I can't live with that. Just let them reassign me to whoever they are planning to reassign me to. I'll take my chances."

  I stand next to her, my hand taking her chin, and I force her face in my direction. I see the red haze in her eyes, and I know she's fighting not to cry.

  "You will not die. Not now. Not on my watch. Will's right. As much as I hate to admit it, Will's right. The system has got to change. The older generation doesn't want to accept the fact that the lines are becoming blurred."

  I am repeating Luther's words. Damn him! The Demon had been right. He had been trying to tell me something in his own narcissistic, insinuating way, and I had ignored him.

  "The Acropolis will become a killing ground if we don't try and do something now. I've seen the documents in my father's office. Guardians are lying about their hybrids' violent tendencies," Marion adds.

  I have new respect for the quiet girl.

  "And they'll kill me if I stay," Deidra whispers fearfully. "Without Marion, without Emma, they'll kill me."

  I am not a fan of the imp, but she has a point. I drop Emma's chin, letting my eyes gaze into hers a moment before turning away.

  "Fine," I say. "We all go. We leave near dawn. Anything earlier will garner attention."

  There are nods of agreement around the room, and I am sculpting a plan of escape in my head when Emma touches my arm.

  "We can't leave the other hybrids," Emma says quietly.

  I look at her in surprise.

  "Emma . . . we can't take them all."

  "Not all. Just the ones willing to leave," she argues. I see the resolve in her gaze, and I know I'm defeated. "You talk about change, but if we leave them here then it won't change anything."

  "She's right," Will says quietly.

  I sigh, my eyes meeting hers.

  "You have until lights out to convince them."

  She looks triumphant. It's a good look for her.

  "They'll turn us in," Deidra says fearfully.

  Emma shakes her head.

  "No, they won't."

  "And what makes you so sure?" Marion asks.

  Emma looks at our three co-conspirators with a grin.

  "Because they all want freedom. I've felt it. And those who don't will fear death from retaliation either from us or the gargoyles they'll be left to face tomorrow. The Acropolis doesn't have to be a school. It's a cause we take with us."