But neither did we, which was an actual victory.
“We’re gaining ground,” I argued with her and myself. “That’s a victory, even if not public. We are. You were the one who told me many times that if we keep taking small steps, we’ll look back and see miles of progress behind us. We are doing all we can, and we just keep going. Look how far we’ve come in Faerie since you’ve even helped me. We are miles and miles from the portal now.”
“But no people,” she rasped.
“We’ll find them soon,” I declared, swallowing loudly. Dear gods, please let me find some fairies soon. We need backup, or we might lose, and lose everything.
25
Banging on my door made me about jump out of my skin all the way from the shower. It was weeks after the incident with the supe police and almost time for break. I was looking forward to a chill Saturday watching Izzy compete in the big Physical Training tournament.
“Hold on!” I bellowed when they started again. I rushed to finish and throw on a towel, wrapping my hair as well, before booking it for the door. I couldn’t even hide my shock when Craftsman was standing there… Nor could I get my mouth to work.
His seemed to stall out at seeing me in a towel as well, both of us staring at each other until he shook himself. “The councils made their next move. They’re demanding you compete today, as it’s written as a requirement for all underclassmen to participate to pass the semester.”
“Right, but I placed out of the class,” I sighed.
“Except the wording isn’t currently included for that, as no one has ever placed out before and Edelman can’t fix it today,” he explained, sounding just as annoyed. “I’m sorry, love, but we’re over a barrel. We need you to fight.”
I studied him a moment. “So what? I’ll still kick their asses. I mean, I placed out for a reason. Why are you worried?”
He licked his lips and eyed me over before trying to focus again. “Something is up with the vampire council. They’re all here, and their auras are… Disconcerting. Edelman, White, and I are all in agreement they are up to something.”
But what? I nodded I heard him and adjusted my neck. “Give me a few minutes to throw on clothes and get ready. I’ll be right there.”
“I’ll walk with you. Zack and Ray were called on to handle something.” He nodded that he thought it was funny too.
So they were going to come at me from all sides on this? No, on campus? That would be… Well, they’d been stupid before for sure.
I hurried to dress and grab the bag with all my training gear. Locking up behind me, I was out the door in under five minutes.
The walk across campus was quiet. Most everyone was at the arena already, and I would have been too, but one of our suitemates had taken forever in the bathroom—again—and since she was competing, I had patiently waited.
Maybe I’d get paired up with her and have an excuse to kick her ass? I was seriously tired of her drama and diva act when it came to our shared bathroom.
“Where is your head? Are you worried?” Craftsman asked me quietly.
“No, just hoping I can use this to smack my suitemate around,” I confessed, shrugging when he gave me a surprised look. “This is who I am.” I increased my pace, considering the nerve the conversation struck with me and how he hadn’t wanted me.
“I know, and I love that person,” he breathed. “I will always love who you are.”
I didn’t know what to say that wouldn’t sound like I wasn’t trying to start a fight, but I couldn’t say nothing as if I accepted that. “I don’t believe you.”
“I don’t blame you, but one day you will.”
We ran out of time as we arrived, which worked since I didn’t have a response anyways. Instead of focusing on Craftsman, I wracked my brain on what I knew about the tournament and the changes Mel had made. Random lottery. Everything was random lottery from the matchups, to if and what weapons were used, going down the list until we got all of them.
Right, so all facets of the training she was teaching. Got it.
“Good luck, love,” Craftsman whispered when we reached where I had to enter. “Kick all their asses.”
I flinched, glancing at him over my shoulder. “You’re at least six months too late saying that to me, and it doesn’t matter now coming from you.” I didn’t give him a chance to reply, storming off and ready to do all the battles they could throw at me to get out what I was feeling.
Hell, I was glad to have an excuse to bash some faces in.
“Why are you here? I mean down here?” Izzy asked me as I moved over by her.
“Another trap,” I muttered, glancing all around. I found where the vampire council was in the stands and could see well enough to catch the smug expressions.
But the warlock elders had them too. Ainsworth looked about salivating.
Something was seriously wrong.
“Tams!” Izzy hissed at me, giving me a shake. “Are you okay?”
I sighed, realizing she’d been talking to me. “Yeah, sure. Just worried what they’re up to now.”
“Fuck them. You got this. You’re the best here by far.”
I blinked at her. Yes, yes I was, and they had to know
