Not when the Bicentennial was supposed to have been the deadliest event in Aldryn’s history, the reason why the whole premise of the centennials had changed afterward.
“I’m afraid my particular ability wouldn’t translate so well to these games,” Kai said.
“And what ability might that be?”
“I’m a Nightmare Weaver.” Kai jerked his chin at Thames, who’d just appeared at Clover’s side. “I’d say I’m the one and only, but it looks like I’m not quite so original here.”
Thames gave a sheepish smile at that. Clover clasped him on the back of the neck. “If you’re anything like our Fear Eater, I’ve no doubt we’ll get on marvelously.”
The words were clearly directed at Kai, but Clover didn’t take his eyes off Thames as he spoke. Thames beamed at him, his whole demeanor changing. It was like Clover was the sun and Thames was a plant coming alive in the light.
The intimacy in Clover’s lingering touch on Thames’s neck had Baz darting a look at Kai. It made him think of that charged proximity between them as Kai fixed his tie, and the unwarranted twinge of jealousy he’d felt upon discovering Thames’s last name wasCaine. All those memories it must have brought up in Kai…
“What about you, Baz?” Cordie asked. “What’s your ability?”
“Oh, uh—I’m a Timespinner? I can manipulate time.”
Clover’s expression turned eager at that. He let go of Thames. “With such talent, youmustparticipate in the Bicentennial.”
“I couldn’t, really.”
“Stop pestering him,” Cordie said to her brother. To Baz, she added, “I’m not one for all this academic fanfare myself, but I’m told the best part comesafterthe challenges.”
“And what is that?”
“Yes, whatisthat, dear brother?”
Clover’s mouth tilted up, his pale turquoise eyes glinting with mischief. “A group of us will be throwing an…exclusiveparty after the first real challenge later this week. You’ll have to come and see what it’s like for yourselves.” He leaned closer to them and whispered, “Be sure to dress your best.”
Cordie laughed at Baz’s deer-in-the-headlights look. “I forgot your belongings are at the bottom of the sea! Not to worry, I can give you the name of the best tailor in town.”
“It’s just that, uh, we don’t—”
“All of our money’s at the bottom of the sea too,” Kai offered smoothly.
“Then it’ll be on us,” Clover said. At Baz’s protest, he added, “Please, I insist. Every man should own a good suit.” He gave a pointed glance at the clothes on their backs—hisclothes. “And more than a single outfit.”
It felt odd to accept all these handouts, even though the Clover siblings offered them so casually as to make it clear that money wasn’t an issue.
“I was headed into town now, if you care to join me?” Cordie suggested.
Her brother frowned. “Don’t you have class?”
“Only later this afternoon. Thought I’d head to my studio in the meantime.”
Clover’s jaw tightened in disapproval. He said nothing more on it, though, only smiled at Baz and Kai. “Well, I’ll leave you in my sister’s capable hands.Ihave classes all day and a study session before the event. See you tonight?” To Cordie, he added, “Give the tailor my best.”
Cordie seemed taken aback by something in his voice. A faint blush crept up her cheeks, but she blinked and it vanished. “Come along, gents.”
Baz was loath to part with Clover in case this all turned out to be a fever dream and he never got to see his literary idol again. But he and Kai followed Cordie into town, with the promise that they’d see Clover later at the opening challenge.
Cordie, they learned, was an artist. She had a studio in town, no doubt paid for with her family’s deep pockets, where she came toget away from “rigid curriculums and pompous students,” as she put it.
“I plan on going to art school after this,” she told them, a dreamy look in her eyes. “Somewhere in Trevel, perhaps.”
Baz was a tad envious of that dream. A normal life away from magic.
After getting suits that fit them perfectly at the tailor’s, they parted ways as Cordie went to her studio. Baz and Kai returned to Obscura Hall, unsure what students from visiting colleges were supposed to do while at Aldryn. If they kept to the warded walls of the Eclipse commons as much as they could, perhaps no one from Karunang or otherwise would ask questions about them.
