I raise an eyebrow. "Socrates." Two can play that game. "The only thing evil requires is for good men to do nothing."
"Edmund Burke, but you're misquoting. The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
"You sure?"
He nods.
Corrine taps my arm. "Wytt has an eidetic memory. He likes to think it's his superpower."
"It is, dear sister."
"Right, because being able to recall the picture you drew in kindergarten is a superpower."
Wytt smiles. "The ladies love it."
Corinne snorts. "Sure. Keep telling yourself that, brother. Now, let's eat."
He nods. "First we eat, then we do everything else. M.F.K. Fisher. You know she—"
"And please stop quoting," Corinne says, holding a fork halfway to her mouth.
He sighs, but stays quiet as he finishes his grapes. We eat in silence as a message pops up on my eGlass.
When are you coming to train?
-Z
Tonight
I send my reply using my eBand, a thin bracelet around my wrist that connects to my eGlass and allows me to text and scan information without speaking. It's useful when you don’t want everyone around you hearing your conversations and messages.
I begin to think of excuses for leaving the Castle. I need to see how things are progressing at the Cathedral, and I need to ask Zorin about Varian.
People around me cheer. I realize something exciting happened on the eScreen. The announcer proclaims that the match is heating up, and the winner will qualify for the Grand Tournament. Wytt frowns as he points at the two Knights battling. "See how the Green Knight never attempts to strike? His defense will be the end of him. A proper offense is—oh, come on, what is this?"
The image of the two Knights is replaced by a woman behind a silver desk, her blond hair in perfect curls. "We apologize for interrupting your scheduled broadcast to report another terrorist attack. Earlier this hour, a terrorist group known as the Red Eagles attacked an Inquisition Department, stealing weapons. Two Officers have been confirmed dead, though their identities are yet to be released. This is Courtney Miller from SPQRN. Now back to your scheduled programming."
The eScreen returns to the tournament, showing the announcer congratulating the Green Knight for his victory. Wytt gasps. "What? How?" He flips his eGlass over his eye. "I need to re-watch this."
Corrine shakes her head. "I can't believe the Red Eagles think they're helping anyone. Killing people for weapons so they can kill more people? When does it end?"
"When someone wins." I slam my Life Force down on the table, harder than I intend.
"Scarlett, you okay?" asks Corinne.
"Just upset, like you."
Wytt flips back his eGlass and plays with his food. "If Nightfall cared about justice, she'd stop these attacks."
I squeeze the can of Life Force in my hand. "Maybe she can't."
"I wish she'd considered that sooner." He finishes his food. He doesn't smile again.
"It's not that late," says Corrine, wiping her hands with a napkin. "What should we do next?"
"Head into town," says Wytt.
"It's Thursday night, nothing in Vianney is going to be open this late. This isn't New York City."
"Then let's head to the city."
"Maybe another day."
Wytt shrugs. "We could grab some booze and hang out at the Arena."
Corinne groans. "That's boring."
"The Bard Knight's always open. We can get a song or two in."
"You just want to perform your new poem."
"Maybe." Wytt turns to me. "Maiden both fair and foul, please steal my heart, for it yearns—"
"Alright, I'm in," says Corinne, "if only to spare our new friend. Scarlett, you want to come? I can't promise Wytt won't drive you crazy, but there's alcohol, so that helps."
I laugh. "Thanks, but I think I just want some time alone tonight. I'm probably going to head back into the city and explore more of New York this weekend."
Corinne drops her head, but only for a moment. I hate to spoil the night, but I have more important matters.
"Where will you stay?" asks Corrine.
"I rented an apartment in the city. Makes it easier to hang out there, and I don't have a home to go to during holidays and breaks otherwise."
"Oh, right. Okay then. I guess I'll see you in a few days?"
"Definitely." I pat her shoulder, trying to cheer her up. "Thanks for today. I've enjoyed it. Maybe you guys can come see my place sometime. We can hang out."
Corinne nods, smiling. "That would be fun. Thanks."
Wytt pretends to tip a hat at me. "Until we meet again, my lady."
I say goodbye and make my way outside, then northeast of the island, where a forest of evergreens grows. I lose myself in them.
Then I unleash my wings and fly.
***
The Cathedral glistens in the setting sun. I land in the nearby forest and overturn a loose rock, revealing a chest in the ground. I open it and don the black armor inside. I put on my mask that connects to my eGlass and alters my voice. I stick an EZ-Dye tab behind my ear and click it, turning my pale hair dark with a thick silver streak, as I walk to the cast iron gate where a man checks for IDs. I need none, for I have my wings. He greets me with a nod, and I walk down the cobbled path, examining the work being done. A woman waves to me, then lifts a piece of obsidian and fills a hole in the wall. The wall runs around the town, and TR covered it with cameras to search for prying eyes.