“Guardians for the win!” the announcer’s voice boomed, met with calm applause from the Guardian students. “Unifiers, second!” Yas and I hugged each other. “Third, Pioneers!” Their response was mixed, but most of them were arguing loudly. “Fourth and last, Tacticians, who still haven’t crossed the finish line.”
Yasmine squeezed my hand. “Let’s go see our team!”
We strolled toward the water’s edge, the wooden walkway creaking underfoot as the teams disembarked from their boats. Tara stormed along the path, fists clenched.
“How does it feel to lose, big sister?” Yas grinned.
“Don’t start with me.”
“You did great out there.” My smile dropped when I met Tara’s narrowed eyes on me. “I mean, you’re scary; you’re a tough opponent in every area.”
“You’re such a sucker,” she scoffed, nudging my shoulder as she passed by.
“I was being nice,” I muttered to Yas.
“She’s a sore loser.” She shrugged before turning her attention to Sylas. “Congrats!”
“Thank you.” Sylas’s gaze lingered on mine. “I heard you both from the sidelines. Celebrations tonight?”
“Only losers celebrate coming in second.”
I couldn’t be more convinced that Levi was like an unsummoned demon, always breathing down my neck.
“You Tacticians aren’t into team sports, so you wouldn’t understand,” Sylas retorted sharply to Levi.
“That’s right, we aren’t cowards who hide behind others.” Kay arrived alongside us, soaked from falling into the river. “Sometimes you have to take responsibility for your actions, but what do I know? I’m just a rich fucker who fucks around and is in need of a shower and a blow job.”
Kay squeezed between us, pushing my shoulder roughly and shooting me a glare.
“Well, Sylas, tell us all about the race!” Yas changed the topic.
Sylas draped his arm around her shoulders. “Over coffee? My treat.”
“Hell yes, I like generous men.” Yas smirked. “Dalia?”
“She doesn’t drink coffee,” Levi interjected, and I forgot he was still lingering nearby. “But matcha, with oat milk and a bit of honey.”
I gritted my teeth. “You should get yourself committed.”
“I was merely being observant. It’s not my fault that every time you order, you ask the server to see proof that the honey is harvested without harming the bees.”
“Because I have a soul, and stop stalking me!”
“Sure, I can do that.”
I blinked. “Really?”
“Of course not. I just didn’t think I had to hide my stalking from you.”
I shook my head. “Let’s go, guys—” I realized then that Sylas and Yasmine had already left without me. I pursed my lips. “You’re scaring off my friends!”
He shrugged. “I haven’t done anything.”
“Your presence is enough,” I shot back, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face, the wind tousling the rest of my hair around me. “What do you want?”
His eyes gleamed with something sadistic inside. “You.”
I instinctively took a step back, a strange fluttering sensation twisting in my belly. “You’re joking, right?”
