“I’ve gathered information that the first challenge will be held outside,” Headmistress Wake said in a low voice. “We must make sure you are properly attired. Go to your rooms and put on warm clothes. Then meet at the front door.”
I was still considering possible scenarios for outdoor events when we rejoined Headmistress Wake at the door to Nightdwellers.
All the other champions were already there, but my gaze latched on to Simone, Anton, Francis, and Magdalena. I gritted my teeth, and my fingers itched to strangle the cheating little shits.
So much for inter-school relationship-building.
“Rise and shine, witches,” Simone chirped. “How are you feeling this morning?”
My fists clenched, and I prayed to the universe that Sam and Andre wouldn’t vomit again. At least if they did it during the event, we could claim it was from exertion. Here, it would be too obvious that the vamps’ plan had worked.
“We’re doing well. How about you?” Diana played it cool as ice. “I hope nothing befell your health last night?”
Simone arched an eyebrow, and her gaze roved over us. She paused longest on Andre and Sam, who puffed up their chests and beamed as if they weren’t dying inside. Simone seemed to deflate a little.
Done with the vampires’ shit for the moment, my attention moved to the shifters and fae. Both looked healthy. My eyebrows furrowed.
“Shifters have high metabolisms,” Sam whispered. “They probably quickly burned through whatever poison we drank. Plus, they stopped drinking after those two shots, and left ten minutes after you and Diana.”
“And the fae?” I asked.
“I don’t get why the girls aren’t falling over. They took at least two more shots than me, and they’re teeny-tiny. I think the guys only took the first one because of guard duty.”
Before I could respond, Headmaster Ezra swept down a staircase and clapped his hands. “Good morning, champions! Today is the big day!” He made a show of cupping his ear and gestured to the door. “It seems that others are as excited about the start of the first Spy Games as we are.”
I realized that there was a low humming noise—the drone of voices—coming from outside the main door. Probably half of Nightdwellers was waiting out there, and I’d been too busy being pissed at Simone to notice. That wasn’t a good sign.
Get your head in the game, Dane.
I straightened my shoulders and tilted my chin up. Even if I felt like shit and was worried about my team, I didn’t need to look like it.
“Today’s event will take place outside,” Headmaster Ezra beamed. “Why don’t I lead the way and reveal what it is?”
Everyone nodded, and the vampire headmaster practically skipped to the front door. He was clearly having such a great time that it was kinda cute. It almost made me forget about my aching stomach.
Almost.
We gathered behind the headmaster, and he opened the massive castle doors with a flourish.
“Thank God. I thought I would die from the stench of vomit,” someone whispered.
I twisted my neck to see Simone smirking knowingly at me. A snide retort was on the tip of my tongue, but the crowd outside began to cheer, and a cold wind swept over me, stealing the words from my mouth. I looked outside, and my heart dropped.
It had snowed overnight and at least a foot of the white stuff covered the ground. I’d been so busy that morning trying to get myself and my team in order that I hadn’t even noticed.
Snow? In September? What the hell?!
Whatever we were about to do, I was sure that snow would only make it more difficult.
Someone had cleared a path leading to where a red ribbon had been strung between two metal poles. We followed the path, and when we reached our destination, the sound of humming generators filled my ears. Two large-screen televisions played footage of a tranquil mountain scene on either side of the metal poles.
“The event is an obstacle course.” Headmaster Ezra pointed to the red ribbon. “The course will begin and end here.”
“Are there markers along the way to keep us on track?” Andre asked as he glanced at the snow. His voice was raspy and he sounded exhausted.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Simone and Francis smirk.
So help me, I would punch them both in their faces.
