I pull back and snort. “No, you wouldn’t have, but that’s sweet of you to say.” His hands trail down my forearms as I let go, and somehow, I feel ten times lighter; the weight that had been pushing me down wiggles before lifting. “I missed you,” I say.
“I did too,” he says quietly, his old shyness back.
“I knew I liked her,” the old woman declares, and Declan groans. I turn around to see her searching my face. An odd shiver makes its way from my left to right shoulder before she nods.
“Grandma, you can’t use your powers on my team. You promised.”
She tsks at him as she fixes her jacket, and I smile as I take in the older woman. She looks way too young to be Declan’s grandmother, and her pink jacket, fitted jeans, and thigh-high boots have my lips twitching. She looks like a biker-chick.
Her eyes flick to me, and they twinkle. “I try not to do that too much anymore, but Declan’s grandfather and I sometimes enjoy a wild ride every now and again.”
Declan smacks his forehead with his palm and slowly drags it down his nose, making both the woman and I laugh. “Well,” I say, “I hope when I’m your age, I look as good as you, and I still get to enjoy the finer things in life.”
When Declan’s hand finally slips to his chin, I notice his cheeks have turned bright pink. His grandmother pokes him again. “Make things right. I like her.” She turns to me and gives me a warm smile before pulling me into a hug, the feeling unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. It’s like being hugged by love itself. I sigh as my emotions continue on their rollercoaster, and she pulls away, giving my cheek a light pinch. “I expect to see you at my house for Christmas, understood?”
I don’t have time to reply, as she pulls Paxton down for a hug, and he smiles happily. “Hey, Grandma. I’m glad to see you. Thanks for taking care of Declan.”
She clicks her tongue. “Well, if that boy had paid attention to me more often, he wouldn’t be in this mess. But,” her eyes flick to me, calculating at first, but they soften as she nods her head again, that strange sensation working its way over me for a second time, “I think it was going to happen, regardless.”
My chest tightens, and I open my mouth to ask her what she meant, but she takes off.
“She’s a bit of a whirlwind and definitely the rebel of the family, but she’s honestly the coolest person alive,” Paxton whispers from behind me.
“Do you have any idea what she was talking about?” I ask, and I glance over my shoulder to see him shaking his head.
“Not a clue, but I have a feeling we’ll find out sooner or later,” he replies as a large horn rings out across the sky, the sound piercing my eardrums. The consistent murmur of the crowd falls silent.
The speakers crackle, then a voice announces, “Ladies and Gentlemen; students, teachers, families, friends, and esteemed guests… Welcome to the first Mid-Semester Trials of the year!”
The crowd roars, and I swallow the lump constricting my throat. Paxton squeezes my shoulder as we glance up to the big screen, panning across the crowd. A few people spot themselves and wave or make funny faces. A couple of young lads throw out obscene gestures and are quickly slapped across the heads by a man sat between them; probably their father. I wonder who they’ve come to watch.
Then the screen switches, and I’m looking at my own terrified face, followed by the rest of my team as the camera slowly moves.
“We have a number of entrants in these first Trials, and I am happy to say they are beyond promising. All with exceptional grades, all the tops of their classes, and all are fighting for the chance to reclaim the Trident of Truth!” the commentator shouts, and the crowd cheers. I watch as flags are waved by the people in the crowd and around us, their loved one’s names written on them with pride. The camera changes again, this time directed to the private viewing box high in the stands where three figures sit in the shadows.
“This year, we have three deities joining us to preside over our fine games in their honor. Zeus!” The crowd roars, their stomping echoing off the stadium walls, and the commentator continues, “Poseidon!”
Paxton stills behind me at the mention of his god, and the crowd grows even wilder in anticipation of the third god. For a moment, I fear it may be Hades, the god of Master Rostova himself, but he would never show his face here in the Light.
“And for the first time in hundreds of years… Nyx!” The commentator roars, but the crowd quietens, or maybe it’s the fact that the blood rushing through my ears is the only thing I hear as I glance up at the box to catch a glimpse of a familiar pair of green eyes staring down at me.
“Mother,” I whisper.
The hand on my back pauses in its comforting trail, and I know he heard by the sharp inhalation against my ear.
Chapter 17
I tense as Paxton’s hand remains in place. I slowly turn my head, wanting to see his reaction, but at the same time wanting to shield myself from it. He looks from me to the box and back again. “Serena—”
But that’s all I can take, and I shake my head. “Not now, Paxton.”
His lips purse, but he nods. I can see the determination to get answers written across his face, though. This seriously can’t get any worse.
“Families, please exit the grounds to the doors on your left and right, we are about to begin,” the
