The Maplethorn Initiative (Book 1, The Maplethorn Series)

Great Expectations

Keegan was also nose-deep in Great Expectations when Cam got back to the room. He explained that they'd started it in Lit class last week, and everyone was supposed to read through chapter three by Monday.

"Awesome." Cam whipped his cap onto his bunk and shrugged out of his new coat. "I'm supposed to read three chapters in a book I don't have?"

"You're supposed to buy a copy at the exchange," Keegan said without looking up. "But I can get you one at the library if you want."

"I have money."

"You wouldn't be here if you didn't." Keegan bent a page to hold his place. "I just hate seeing anybody feed this place an extra dime."

Cam let out a long sigh and retrieved his hat. "If everybody's supposed to read it, won't all the copies be checked out?"

"They put the assigned books in the reserved bin so no one can check them out," Keegan explained.

"Why?"

"So you have to buy a copy at the exchange."

"Then how are you going to get me one?"

Keegan tossed his book onto the desk and bounced to his feet. "I know a guy."

•  •  •

Maplethorn's library was an L-shaped room buried deep inside of the official-looking building at the far end of the yard. A set of wooden doors—one of which was propped open—provided access.

Shelf after shelf of decades-old hardcovers lined the walls and filled the room with their musty scent. To the left of the doors, a long counter with a white top served as the information desk. Four rectangular tables were arranged end-to-end in the center of the room, with a small group of cadets spread between them.

A sign that read, "Book Return" hung over the closest end of the desk. Keegan crossed to the sign, stole a glance at the cadets who were studying, and launched himself belly-first onto the countertop. His arms and head disappeared beneath the far side, and soon, a tattered paperback was raised triumphantly into the air. "Told ya!" he said, sliding back to the floor.

A narrow door behind the desk clicked open, and a familiar face peeked around its edge. "Can I help— Oh, it's you." Tober's wary expression brightened when he saw Keegan brought company. "Hi, Cam!"

"Hey, Tober," Cam said with reddened cheeks. "You work here?"

"I'm the library orderly." Tober stepped around the door, closing it behind himself. "Do you need help with something?"

Keegan laid the copy of Great Expectations on the counter. "Just getting a book."

"Those are reserved!" Tober's warning earned him a collective "Shhh!" from the cadets at the nearest table. "I'm not supposed to let anyone check out the books that are back here."

Cam gave Keegan a wary shrug. "Maybe we should put it back?"

"Fine," Keegan grumbled and lifted himself onto the counter again. "Look, I'm putting it back."

"Thank you," Cam said quietly.

"All right then." Keegan dropped to the carpet and made a show of straitening his uniform jacket. "Guess we're going to the exchange. Sorry to have bothered you, Sunderland."

"It's no bother," Tober drawled, sounding sincere. "I'll stop by your room later."

"Cool." Keegan threw Tober a salute on his way through the door. "Later then."