I sighed, frustrated but resigned.
Vyns would help me, which meant I had my team of four. That was all I needed to face Saldrea.
As for whether we could win…?
Rook didn’t seem to think so.
IZZY
Vyns and Koarfound us as we marched across campus to the main administration building. Vyns fell into step beside me, a brilliant grin on his face, his spirit warm as it brushed mine. Koar dressed quickly then kept pace behind me, my stalwart guard.
Lhorine hadn’t come with us, neither had Safir, nor Svokol. They’d thought it best not to reveal their presence. Lhorine would find somewhere near campus and use her earth magic to create a place for us to live and train in secret… assuming I won this match. Grandma Oli had already taken Tala’s form, so I had my full team with me, plus Koar.
Saldrea was there, in the atrium of the building, when we arrived. She blinked, seeming surprised I’d shown up. When she saw Vyns and Koar, she twitched, her beautiful façade faltering to show her fury — for only an instant — before a cat-like grin spread on her face. I may have stolen her guards, but the odds were in her favor.
Behind her was a massive man, even bigger than Koar, taller by a head, well over seven feet and built like a brickwall. His skin was well tanned, bronzed, and he was bald, with dark eyes under a heavy brow. In contradiction to his massiveness, his face was a bit… soft and smooth, with round cheeks, a baby-faced giant of a man.
Was this a titan? I had to believe it was. Tala had said they were the only beings larger than dragons.
“I’m here to turn myself in and accept the princess’s challenge to a dominion match.” I looked Saldrea straight in the eye, defiant. It infuriated her.
“When do we play?” I asked.
“I’m not without mercy,” Saldrea said, acting benevolent for the group who’d gathered to witness this event. “We will have the match tomorrow at sixteen o’clock. That gives you some time to train with your team. Aren’t I gracious?” She preened and presented a pleasant smile. Many of those assembled clapped and cheered her generosity.
“Then I’ll see you after lunch tomorrow,” I said and turned to go. I’d wondered if maybe she’d try to stop me from leaving, keep me detained somewhere.
“I will, of course, be sending a couple guards to keep an eye on you,” Saldrea said, voice light. “Just to ensure you don’t try to flee overnight. Youarea fugitive after all.”
And there it was.
I turned back and nodded, accepting this, though I had no clue how we’d evade our minders to train. We could train in public, but not if I wanted any lessons from Lhorine before the match, which I did.
Saldrea motioned and two more massive figures stepped out to escort us. Both titans, or so I guessed, one man, one woman. The two flanked my group as we left and quietly walked with us as I made my way…
…where?
I couldn’t go to the shifter residence, which was whereI’d been hoping to meet up with Myel and Safir and find out where Lhorine’s secret hideout was.
My room was still a blasted-out hole.
Vyns didn’t have a room.
Koar… I had no clue if he had any place to stay.
Which meant: Rook’s room it was. Not that he seemed happy about it.
The five of us returned to the lesser residence and crowded into the room. Luckily, our minders remained outside, one next to the main door in the hall, the other guarding the door from the adjoining bathroom into my old room. We were trapped in here, no other way out…
Or so it would have been, if Myel hadn’t showed up in a puff of shadow smoke, finger to lips to indicate silence.
Grandma was surprised, then seemed to understand who this newcomer was when he and I instantly embraced passionately in front of everyone, our bond stretched thin. With my legs wrapped around him and our bodies clutched desperately close, I got a teensy little orgasm as I ground my core against the bulge in his pants. We were both fully clothed, but the bond didn’t much care.
I released him, a bit breathless, and righted myself.
Grandma, ever quick on the uptake, whispered to us. “Let me touch each of you.” She did, memorizing our features through touch and having us all talk a little to collect our voices. She would remain behind and impersonate each of us, talking quietly to herself, to assure the guards we were all in the room.
The rest of us were then shadow-stepped out by Myel, before sneaking across campus. Safir met us outside the shifter residence and from there we crept through the trees at the edge of campus to the well concealed entrance of Lhorine’s new training compound.
