“Victory goes to the novice,” he says.
Micah’s mouth drops open, as if Rorrik is a god who has granted me a wish.
“And I suppose you want to use your favor now?” He arches one eyebrow.
He knows I do.
This is not going to go well. I roll my shoulders.
“I want the novice spot on the imperius.”
Neris’s eyes bulge, and Deitra sneers at me, displaying her fangs in an obvious threat. Lucius just shakes his head. “No.”
Rorrik points at him. “Overruled.” When he turns his attention to me, the others seethe. “Congratulations, novice. You’re officially one of the imperius.”
“She’s what?” Tiernon’s voice is a low growl.
His gaze is heavy with betrayal as he glances between me and Rorrik. He thinks I planned this.
“No,”I want to explain to Tiernon.“I’d planned to beatyou!”
Rorrik and Tiernon have one of their wordless conversations. Although now I know about mindpathing, I’m sure they’re not so wordless after all.
Tiernon’s jaw tightens, and he returns his attention to me. “Fine.” He turns away, and a lump forms in my throat.
Neris’s eyes narrow on me, and they’re filled with … disappointment.“You want the spot? It looks like you got it. But you should know we’d already chosen the novice we wanted for the imperius. It was your friend Maeva.”
Shame swamps me.
Maeva is desperate for respect from her parents. For … acknowledgment. She tries to hide it, but I can see it every time she catches a glimpse of her father. A spot on the imperius would have gone a long way toward that respect. And I just stole it from her.
Closing my eyes, I make a silent vow. As soon as I leave this place, the spot will be free again. And I’m going to make sure Maeva gets what is rightfully hers.
When I open my eyes, Rorrik is gone, and Deitra is leaning close. “Working withRorrikto get what you want? Beyond stupid. If he just cooperated with you, it’s because he wanted something. And you were dumb enough to give it to him.” She stalks away, and Micah shakes his head at me.
“Don’t listen to Deitra. She should know enough about Rorrik by now to know that no one can control him.”
“Why is he … the way he is?”
He shrugs, glancing around the room as if to ensure no one is hiding. “Some say he doesn’t feel emotion like you and I do. There’s a … lack in him.”
The wyvern flashes into my mind, the tender way Rorrik had stroked his snout.
Tiernon returns, this time with his helmet tucked beneath his arm. “We need to go.”
“Go where?”
“The Circus. The emperor told Orna to make sure we attend.”
I’d forgotten. Today is one hundred days before the Umbrae Dies—the Day of Shadows, when the vampires honor Umbros—and the emperor is beginning celebrations with chariot races. At least I might be able to find Leon to talk about our plans.
I get to my feet. “I’ll go find the other novices.”
Tiernon leans against the doorway, his expression still tight. “No. You wanted to join the imperius? You’re coming with us.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
The Circus is located just a few hundred feet from the river, and the breeze carries the scent of water and damp stone, with an underlying fishy undercurrent. Only a handful of people are still trickling through the huge open gates, many of them stopping to place bets with bookies waiting outside.
