“Where to first, sweets?” Alex asked.
I looked around, unsure where to begin. Besides the trampoline, there was corn hole, a massive Twister board, and giant Jenga too.
“It all looks awesome,” I admitted. “How about we get a drink first and then decide?”
Alex grabbed my hand, and together, we walked through the fun and games into the King’s Castle.
Inside, the building was as polished and striking as I remembered. The foosball and pool tables stuck out as centers of rousing competition. Predictably, the bar, complete with a keg, was packed. Music thumped so loud that it vibrated the tables we passed. When it quieted for a moment sounds of a loud car crash filled my ears. I assumed a few people were watching a movie in the theater room down the hall.
Coming from Beverly Hills, I remembered feeling at home when I walked into the King’s Castle last year. Yet, now it felt odd. Like it was all too much. I’d grown used to our small tower rooms, which were still nice, but older and less amenity-rich.
I guess you really can get used to anything.
Alex and I stopped by the bar. He grabbed a beer while I opted for a glass of white wine. We were about to mingle when I noticed Sam waving frantically at me from fireside seats that looked out over the front yard. I waved back, and she motioned for me to join her. When I saw who she was with, I understood why.
Sam sat in a chair across from Andre and Diana, who were next to each other on a loveseat. They were atouchcloser than friends would sit. The way Diana’s cheeks had reddened at the mention of Andre last night came rushing back, and I grinned. I’d bet a whole lot of money that Diana and Andre were into each other. Sam probably wanted backup—and of course to talk about the Games.
“Hey,” I squeezed Alex’s hand, “the other champions want to chat. Do you wanna join?”
He shook his head. “Nah. I’m good. There are a few people here I want to talk to. Catch you later, sweets?” He dimpled at me.
We kissed and split off. Alex headed straight toward two Crucible students who were in his Healing tutoring session.
My lips curled up. Alex was so driven to excel in the subject that he enjoyed. Even if I teased him, it was truly one of the things I liked most about him.
When I neared the other champions, Sam rose and pulled me into an awkward half-hug.
“Thank God you’re here,” she whispered. “If I had to put up with the covert flirting without backup, or Diana’s ex-boyfriend sending death looks for a moment longer, I was going to throw someone across the room. Probably Diana, because Andre’s too heavy.”
My ears perked up. Diana’s ex-boyfriend? She had been single during our Culling-year. It must have been a guy from before she was enrolled at Spellcasters. How scandalous!
Unable to help myself, I scanned the room. My gaze landed on a guy with shoulder-length blond hair, full lips, and a scowl directed straight at Diana. He looked like a young Brad Pitt, and for some reason, I found it hard to believe that he and Diana had been an item.
“That guy?” I whispered and aimed a finger behind my other hand.
Sam followed the direction that I pointed and nodded. “Jackson Hall. They dated during our Culling-year. He broke up with her right before she took her entry exams and dated someone else during the Grind. When she earned spymaster for your class at the end of last year, it pissed him off something fierce. Jealous, I think. He’s never even gotten a rank of sorcerer spy. But now that her and Andre are . . . whatever . . . Jackson’s been anightmare. Clearly, he’s not over her, even though he was the one who dumped her. Avoid him at all costs.”
Damn. Memo to self: Ask Diana about her ex later.
Sam and I joined the other two, and right away, the topic turned to the Spy Games.
“The first event will be at Nightdwellers,” Sam said. “Does anyone know anything about that school, other than that it’s full of vampires?”
Andre and I shrugged. Hell, I’d known basically nothing about Spellcasters before I enrolled. The other schools were complete mysteries.
“The students do three terms at the school, but they’re more like semesters rather than years,” Diana offered. “After that, they transfer to work under a real spy for a year.”
Sam nodded. “Because vampires have natural stealth, strength, and keen senses, the PIA accelerates their training. That makes sense. But I meant information about the academy’s location, what they study, and what’s nearby?”
Diana shook her head. “Sorry. Mother has never talked about that stuff. She’s more the type to let me learn by experience.”
“If you asked, would she tell you?” Andre asked.
“Ha! No way. Now that I’m a champion, she’d see it as cheating.” Diana rolled her eyes. “Which is annoying because I bet Headmaster Ezra is telling his champions everything he can about Spellcasters. Mother is way too by the book.”
“That’s okay. I’m assuming most schools will choose challenges more suited to their students’ strengths,” I said, trying to bring the conversation into a more positive light. “We don’t need to know where Nightdwellers is to brainstorm a challenge that would benefit a vampire. I think that’s a good place to start.”
“Great idea, Dane,” Sam agreed. “Let me get something to write with.”
