Damn it. As they usually are when I'm struggling to control my emotions, they're covered in frost. I can't formulate an argument, and the others also can't seem to think of an excuse for me to get out of this. So, I grumble under my breath as Silas leads us down several flights of stairs. When we descend past the point where regular mage lights are stationed, he calls up a fae light to illuminate the way.
We reach an area that clearly used to be dungeons. But instead of iron-barred cells and rats, Silas opens a door at the far end, and I find that we're looking at a large exercise room full of training mats with a large mirror along one wall of the room. Silas sets up more fae lights in the room, and Maven nods approvingly, shutting the door behind us.
"Perfect. Let's start with Crypt."
The Nightmare Prince flickers into existence right beside her with a twisted smile. "And what exactly are we starting, love?"
She looks him over analytically. "I saw the others in action," she says as if that explains everything.
"Dreadful, aren't they?"
"Fuck off," I say at the same time as Baelfire.
"I haven't had a chance to see how you are in combat," she goes on, folding her arms as she glowers up at Crypt. "But if you can lose an ear, you can lose much worse."
I must be missing yet another thing because I don't get the ear comment at all, but the Nightmare Prince just waggles his eyebrows. "Like my cock? You wouldn't want me losing that, hmm?"
"I was thinking your head, but feel free to prioritize the much, much smaller one," she shoots back smoothly.
I cough, Baelfire bursts into laughter, and Silas smirks. Crypt just looks delighted.
"Did you just trash-talk me, darling? Hardly fair, considering you haven't seen it. Ask nicely, and I'll show you how very not little it is."
I hold up a hand. "Nope. Everyone needs to keep their fucking pants on."
Crypt grins. "Unless we want to use this room for an orgy instead."
"My vote's with him," Baelfire says, raising his hand.
Maven looks slightly flushed as she rolls her eyes and turns to Silas. "Never mind. Let's start with you."
He folds his arms defensively. "The others need training far more than I do."
"Oh, my gods. This is like dealing with four butt-hurt toddlers," Maven huffs. I can't drag my eyes away as she ties her hair into a high ponytail, exposing her very kissable neck. "Look. Obviously, you're all powerful legacies, but you can't rely on your abilities alone. That's where your blind spot is and why we're here. So in this room, there will be no magic, no ice, no shifting?—"
"It's not like I can right now, anyway," Baelfire injects.
"—and no slipping into Limbo during combat or whatever other shit you can do," she adds, glancing at Crypt. "In here, itwill be pure, physical combat. I'm going to kick your asses until you all stand a better chance of making it out of First Placement and future combat alive. I'm not losing you guys."
My protest dies on my tongue with her last words, and my heart sort of melts into a gooey puddle of mindless warmth.
I'm not losing you guys.
Meaning…me included?
I swallow and look away. "Yeah, okay."
The others mutter their agreements, seeming equally flustered.
"Good. Then let's begin."
25
EVERETT
Arati save me.
She's trying to fucking kill us.
