The world stills, holding its breath; a chill settles between us.
He’s most likely playing free fall, just like I was when I cut and stabbed myself, but I don’t care. If he wants to bluff on this, withherlife, he will lose.
“Careful, Jace,” I say softly, calculating an attack. Pulling one of my knives is the obvious choice, but he’ll expect it. Kicking the stool next to me into him will be slightly better, especially if I go for a knife at the same time. He’ll lunge for me, off-balance. And with him nervous about my health, he will hold back enough for me to snap his neck.
His eyes unwavering, he leans forwards. “This is me beingcareful.You are the only friend I have in this fucking place. I sacrificed Aurelia for you, so if you think I will let you turn her death into something meaningless, you’re fucking delusional. I protect what’s mine, Dickie. I’m not losing you too.”
The air turns heavy.
My body itches to move, but the damn thing wants to embrace him, not kill him.
Looking away, I mutter, “Fuck.”
“Yeah.” Straightening, he slides the bottle to me. “You get one gulp. Then I’m taking your ass to bed.”
Forty-Seven
A good little slut fights for her king.
Even if he’s being an idiot.
- Arienna
Training to fight, it turns out, is bloody hard. Emphasis on the bloody.
I’ve been at this for five days, and I’m still not a very useful member of my team. Most of the time, our opponents ignore me so they can gang up on Frances. Nolan is the first to get knocked down. I try to help him by embracing my inner Fabia, but kicking kids still comes really hard to me.
As two cherubs jump Stevie, I charge in to help her. But halfway there, I trip over my own feet. I fall towards the ground, my arms flailing. Spinning away from Stevie, Face-kicking Cherub –Clarissa, her real name is– flies over and kicks me in the fucking face. I hit the ground hard, but at least I don’t lose consciousness this time. I scramble to get on my feet, but she grabs a fistful of my hair and wrenches me onto my back.
“Ow!”
The whistle blows, and Stef releases me. Exhaling hard, I grasp the hand she offers me, which is full of strands of my hair, and sit up.
“You’re getting faster,” she says. “I only kicked you once this time.”
I work my jaw. “You only need one.”
She giggles and sits beside me. Despite them all taking pleasure in kicking my ass – and my chest and my legs and my face –this blocking thing ishard– they all jostle for the chance to sit next to me. I’m like one of those blind runts the rest of the litter takes care of.
As the next two groups are fighting it out, I catch sight of Fabia. I wave at her. She tilts her head at me as she walks up to Gallagher and whispers something in his ear.
“Orian, you’re in charge while I’m gone,” he says. “When I get back, I expect you all to be working as hard as if I was here.”
“Yes, sir!” Rising to his feet, the head of Squadron Raven stands at strict attention. At nine years old, he’s bigger than a lot of the other kids, but he’s still a scrawny little thing. “Okay, you asswipes,” he says as he addresses those of us sitting in the audience, “you have a hard day ahead of you. If you think you will get any mercy, you might as well go jump off a –”
“Easy, raven.” Gallagher puts a hand on his shoulder. “Leadership is about helping your team succeed.”
“Yes, sir.” He turns back to us. “Okay, you adorable, little cuddle bunnies,” he says in the same voice I use for the animals I find, “let’s all have some fun.”
Fighting back a grin, Gallagher turns to me. “Fabia needs you.” As he makes a bee-line for Echo, I head over to my best friend.
“I knocked over Killian earlier today,” I tell her proudly.
“Great job. Which one is he again?”
“Uh… one of the big ones,” I lie.
“Uh huh.”
