“Teams survive,” the shifters in the crowd murmured as if they’d done it a million times before.
The alpha turned to face our table, and a wide grin spread across his face. “And tomorrow, your pack will need to work together even more efficiently than usual, for one member will be missing.”
My spine straightened.What?
“Tonight, after you retire to your chambers, the heads of house will collect one member of each team at four in the morning. That member will be tasked with leaving three, andonlythree, clues for the rest of their team as to their whereabouts. The other team members shall have to find them. Whoever finds their lost team member the fastest wins.”
I groaned. This event totally favored the shifters. I bet they didn’t even need to use clues. Especially if Dasha was taken, the guys would be able to sniff her out, no problem.
“The task begins at 5:00 a.m.,” Alpha Conan continued. “Due to this, I ask that you finish your meals if you have not already, and retire early. Everyone will want to be up to watch the event.” And with that, he retook his seat.
“What the actual fuck. Five in the morning?” Francis flung his head into his hands. “What is wrong with shifters?”
I couldn’t help but agree. Seeing as we began dinner later than usual to accommodate the fae, it was already almost nine.
While we wolfed down our meals, the other champions continued to pepper me with questions about demons and demon stones. Since none of it was too personal, and was good information for anyone to know, I did my best to answer while eating.
When the Alpha dismissed the room, everyone rose together. My team and I fell into a discussion about who we hoped would be taken, and how best they could benefit the team. Sam thought Diana was the best choice, but everyone else considered her an optimal pick.
My eyelids were drooping when we turned down the hallway where our rooms were located, and I caught sight of a familiar face.
“Odette!” Leslie ran toward me, smiling brightly. She about barreled me over with a hug, and immediately, I recognized that she was stronger than before.
“Hey, Leslie,” I grinned at the girl who’d helped me escape Crescent Springs. “It’s so good to see you here. Dasha told me that you were enrolled. Are you liking it?”
Leslie beamed so brightly, it was like she was a different person from the girl I’d met in Colorado. “Absolutely. I’m never going back to that hellhole.”
“Understandable. So, were you waiting to say hello?” I gestured to the door to my room.
Leslie laughed. “No, silly. I’m on first rotation for your guard. I volunteered, and even though I’m still not quite as strong as the other students, Alpha Conon let me. He knows I’d protect you—and the other champions—to my dying breath.”
Yeesh, talk about dramatic.“Thanks,” I said, “But hopefully that won’t be necessary.” My mouth opened, and I accidentally released a yawn.
“Oh moons! I’m in your way, and you’re probably exhausted!” Leslie stood to the side, allowing us to pass. “Have a good rest, Odette. If the shifter school can’t win, I hope your team does.”
I locked myself in my room and took a second to relish in the blissful quiet. Then I went about preparing for bed, thankful that Alpha Conon had insisted the feast end quickly, because I was dead on my feet.
At half past nine, I slipped between the sheets and released a happy sigh. My body relaxed, and my muscles softened into the mattress like jello. I could feel that the blissful oblivion of sleep was only a few heartbeats away, so I closed my eyes and willed it to pull me under.
The blackness had almost completely taken me when a searing pain wrapped around my wrist and radiated up my arm. I sat up with a gasp, and looked at the talisman Alex and I had made. It glowed red and hot in the pitch black of my room. Seconds later, the realization of what that meant crashed over me.
Alex was in danger.
Chapter Forty-Four
Iburst out of my bedroom door, barefoot and clad in my pajamas. Leslie and the other shifter on guard whirled around to face me.
“Odette! What’s wrong?” Leslie scanned the hallway behind me.
“Where’s Headmistress Wake staying?” I yelled, not caring if I woke anyone else up.
Alex was in danger, and I needed to find him.
“I can take you to her,” Leslie’s eyebrows furrowed. “Why don’t you put on some shoes, though? The manor is cold.”
“I don’t need shoes, dammit!” My voice rose. “Take me to her now!”
“I—”
