Everyone nearby stared at me in awe. Taylor attempted to speak to me, but Hayes handed her my bow and directed her to return it to the armory. Then, he and Damien guided me back into the building, down several winding hallways and into an unfamiliar room.
There was a crude desk that appeared to have been cobbled together from wood scraps. Books were strewn all over it, along with what seemed to be fighting schedules. A dry-erase board, which looked out of place, was mounted on the stone wall and displayed a list of names. I saw my name second from the bottom.
I turned and narrowed my eyes at Hayes, “Why is my name next to last?”
Hayes looked at me in confusion, “After what just happened out there, you’re worried about where your name falls on a list?”
“Yes.” I was confused by his confusion. “I’m not a bottom-of-the-list kind of guy.”
“Forget about that boy and explain why you didn’t inform us of your ability to wield fire.” He frowned at me as Damien sat in a chair behind the desk.
I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could speak, Hayes said, “And while you’re at it, you can tell me why you lied about having a Faction and who they are. Taking the serum wouldn’t keep you sane long without a Faction when using that kind of power. Fireballs are one thing but the heat and force of what you just did is something else.”
Well, shit. I paced around the room, trying to decide what to do. At this point, I felt I needed to take a chance and trust someone. I’d watched Hayes and Damien over the last few weeks, and if I were going to confide in anyone, I would say these two were my best bet. My decision to keep a low profile wouldn’t fly now.
I glanced at the board and stopped, frowning at my placement. I could hardly concentrate on anything else with my name next to last on that stupid list.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Hayes sighed and headed to the board. He erased my name and put it at the top of the list. “Are you satisfied now, you idiot?”
I smiled in satisfaction, ignoring the “idiot” comment. “Yes, that makes me feel a lot better.”
“Get on with it, boy or I’m going to have to ‘lift my balls to wipe my ass.’” Damien mocked me from earlier.
“I think we both know that ship has sailed, sir.” I looked pointedly at his white hair.
He threw a paperweight at my head, but I ducked, and it hit harmlessly against the wall behind me.
“Start talking before I beat your ass and make you.” Hayes narrowed his eyes, clearly done dealing with me.
“OK, keep your pants on.” I walked to the door, opened it, looked around, then shut and locked it.
Hayes and Damien glanced at each other and then back at me. “Anything you say stays between us. We both try tokeep our fighters safe from the Brummond faction and, more importantly, Selene.” Hayes looked at me with concern.
I took a deep breath, “I’m not from here.”
Damien stared at me blankly, “None of us are from here. We were brought to the coliseum to fight and bring gold and prestige to our factions.”
I rolled my eyes, “No, I’m not from this world.” Hayes and Damien froze, looking at me with more interest. “I’m a student at Emberhold Academy and was sent here on initiation.”
I expected a reaction, but not the laughter that burst out of them.
“Shit, boy, you almost had me. Emberhold was destroyed decades ago.” Hayes laughed briefly. The amusement slowly left his face, “I’ll have the truth now, or you’ll take an ass beating.”
“Listen, old man, I’m a student at Emberhold but not here in Aurathia. It’s located in a pocket dimension, and I was sent there through a portal from Earth.” He reminded me of Reverie’s Grumpy. There was no grey area, everything was black or white. Hayes jumped to his feet and grabbed my shoulders.
“Don’t lie to me, boy! Nobody has been able to create a portal to Earth, or anywhere else, for almost nineteen years.”
I jerked out of his hold, “I’m telling you the truth. I was raised on Earth and didn’t learn I was of Aurathion ancestry until just a few months ago.”
Damien stood from behind the desk, “Everyone needs to calm down. Nathan and Hayes, you both need to take a seat.”
We stared at each other scowling, but did as Damien said. It would take some convincing, but if they could help me get back to Reverie, it would all be worth it.
“Now, let’s start from the beginning,” Damien said calmly. “Tell us the whole story, and we’ll listen,” He looked pointedly at Hayes. “-without interruptions.”
Hayes rolled his eyes but nodded his head in agreement. I would bet Zane’s left nut that he couldn’t keep quiet. (No way would I bet my nuts. How would Reverie have mini-Nathan’s?)
I drew in a deep breath and began my story, omitting Reverie’s name. I was aware that her parents had escaped from this world and that two of her dads had died during the ordeal. It's possible they either fought against or had some knowledge of them. For now, it seemed wiser to withhold that information.
