“You know, you shouldn’t sit there,” I say, indicating to him with my fork.
His brow furrows in confusion. “Why, expectin’ company?”
“Well no, but I mean.” I gesture to myself as an explanation. As usual, my magic didn’t give me the outfit I wanted, and my top half is only covered by a feathery black bra.
“Yeah, smokin’ as always,” he comments.
I roll my eyes at his smooth response. I can’t exactly say that I don’t think he should sit there because if a certain four professors keep seeing us together, they might get jealous, and they’re a little possessive and not to be messed with, so I simply say, “I was the Token, remember?”
Jensen’s grin grows broader. “Yeah, I bet that was wild. Glad you made it.”
I shake my head. “I’m trying to say, do you really want to keep being seen sitting with me?”
He just gives me a look like he doesn’t have a care in the world.
“I’m not sleeping with you,” I blurt, because I hate the idea that he might think I’m still leading him on.
He huffs a laugh. “Don’t worry, I’m only here for the entertainment.”
“What entertainment?” I stab my fork back into my pie with a little too much force, and a piece breaks off, flicking me in the face.
Jensen laughs, and it’s a hearty warm sound. “Like I said. The entertainment.”
I laugh along with him, wiping my face with the back of my hand.
“Stop flirting with pumpkin hair, girl,”Elgen rasps in my head.
“I’m not flirting.”I’d given up on the idea of scratching any itches with Jensen a while ago. The guy is nice enough, but he could never compare to my professors.
“Then tell us what it tastes like already,”Elgen urges.
Oh, right.I’d almost forgotten they were still waiting to hear about the pie.Oops. “Sorry,”I mumble. Successfully shoving another forkful into my mouth, I focus on the explosion of flavor on my tongue.“Mmm, okay it’s got this tart but tangy flavor. You’ve got the zestiness of the lemon, but it’s kind of creamy, too. The crust is buttery and flaky, and… mmm… the meringue is so fluffy and sweet.”
“Oh, it sounds as good as I was hoping,”Tarlaz says like he’s imagining he’s the one devouring it.
“How did you even know about this pie?”I ask.
“A boy who perished during the last graduation games had this as his final meal,”Tarlaz replies.
I’m not expecting that answer, and the sweetness of the pie dulls in my mouth. I swallow my mouthful, and laughter from across the room has me lifting my gaze. Ian has conjured up thelargest bowl I’ve ever seen, and he grins like a maniac as he eyes the steam billowing from the top of it.
“What is that?” I hiss, leaning toward Kenzie.
“Beats me,” she replies. “Soup, maybe?”
Oblivious, Jensen wolfs down his food, somehow managing to devour his sandwich while hardly chewing, and miraculously, not choking.
I’m still staring at the giant bowl when Ian’s gaze flicks my way. There’s a sinister look in his eyes that has the hairs rising on my arms. I’m not sure why, but I’ve got a really bad feeling.
“Best you leave now, child,”Elgen says, her voice softer than usual.
“What are you talking about?”
“We see this time and again,”Tarlaz replies.“As we near the games, the students become desperate to start proving themselves and there are always…casualties. Best that you’re not among them.”
Standing, Ian rests one foot on his chair. Beside him, Satine, Ed and Paiton move from their seats, exchanging glances like they’re a pack of hunting jackals.Casualties?My heart rate kicks up. Usually, I’m glad when the professors don’t attend mealtimes, because I hate having to wait to eat, and I swear Knox always takes his time just to spite me, but now, I’d be glad to see any of the professors.
Kenzie tenses, her food forgotten like she’s thinking the same thing I am, and the dining hall grows silent.
