I need to focus right now, not get caught up in them even more. That’s the whole reason I’ve been avoiding them. Glaring at the wolf in question, I quickly look away, but once again, my attention latches onto another asshole from across the hall.
Kael.
His eyes narrow as he pushes his hair back off his face.
I’m not dealing with him right now.
I can’t decide whether it’s a blessing or a curse, but as we come to a reluctant stop beside them, the sun dips behind the fortress and the side wall comes to life with all five members of The Sanctum.
“Good evening, students of the Institutes and residents of The Vale,” Rikard declares, sweeping his arms out wide as he beams with excitement.
“It brings us great joy to begin The Institute Games this evening, celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the camaraderie,” Cordelia adds, and I scoff at her whimsical description of the massacre presented before us.
“The rules of The Institute Games are simple. Survive, win, proceed. Tonight, we start the experience with all thirteen institutes, but by the end of the evening, only ten shall remain,” Toman explains, making my gut wretch as a thought comes to mind. But before I can voice it, they continue to address their audience.
“Before we declare the official first game of the tournament, we must assign a professor to each institute,” Saken states, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose as I’ve seen him do a million times before.
I want to drag them off his face and snap them in two, then I want to teach him a lesson, put him through the rigorous testing he enjoys so much. Once he’s done, I can move on to the rest of them. Picking them off one by one would bring me much joy.
“Are you okay?” Ocean whispers, and I realize my whole body is stiff, trapping her arm under mine.
“Sorry,” I mumble, relaxing my hold as I try to calm the rage that burns deep inside of me.
“Institute One, you will be assigned Professor Drayker,” Anya announces, tossing her red curls over her shoulder as she smiles widely.
My breath stutters at the mention of the bitch, and I somehow manage to seek her out in the crowd. It’s no surprise to see her mouth turned down as she glances at Rion while she walks toward the red institute. I’m so caught up in her, I miss every other professor's announcement until Anya calls out the final one. “Institute Thirteen, you will have the pleasure of Professor Grimm.”
I gape in surprise. Out of everyone I could have asked for, it would have been him. Impressed, I find myself paying more attention as Rikard clears his throat. “Tonight you will enjoy The Capture War,” he declares as everyone waits with bated breath to understand what that means.
Trying to recall the game from previous books is more complicated than I anticipated, since I’ve read so many, but my thoughts do settle on the images I remember. However, the title is nonexistent in my brain.
“Each institute will take to the Fortress of War with one goal in mind, to capture the flag.” Excitement buzzes in the air, the game seemingly straightforward,but my gut twists instead of rejoicing with everyone else. “There are thirteen flags placed around the fortress, one for each institute. You must find yours and bring it back through the entry point to win. A flare of your institute’s color will go off when someone finds their corresponding flag, and a second when it is placed upon its designated spoke,” he explains, as a row of ten golden spokes appear in front of the projection.
“Now, let the countdown begin,” Cordelia sings, and the five of them disappear, quickly replaced by a clock ticking down from five minutes.
The energy is electric, but the churning in my gut only gets worse.
Each institute huddles closer, and my attention zeroes in on Professor Grimm as he rocks back on his heels before us.
“It’s a great honor for me to be your professor for these games, but I must express great caution when you enter the fortress. Things are never as simple as they seem. Any questions?” he asks, and I clear my throat.
“Yes, I, uh, well, how are all thirteen institutes participating when some are currently derelict?”
Murmurs echo around me as though some hadn’t considered the fact, and the way Grimm winces tells me the answer isn’t a good one.
“When some do not ascend from The Vale, they are able to participate under their prior institute in an attempt to claim victory.”
“And victory equals freedom,” I breathe, and he nods, referring to citizens of The Vale who are yet to escape The Sanctum’s grasp.
“Exactly that. So, don’t underestimate them; it seems they have more to fight for than you,” he states, brushing his hands over his waistcoat.
Before another word can be spoken, a shrill siren blares through the air and everyone immediately moves into action, taking off toward the fortress with speed. Ocean unlinks her arm from mine and we move, side by side, following the sea of students.
I’m almost at the entry point when a hand lands on my shoulder. Startled, I peer behind me to find Thorne. He doesn’t say a word, just thrusts something against my chest and takes off inside.
My feet continue to carry me over the threshold as I look down to see what it is.
Gloves.
