“I’ll explain later,” she tells me, and I’ll let it go for now. It must be an inside joke, because Dad is not that funny, I promise.
“Thank you, everyone. Please direct your attention to Chief Cloak,” my dad says as he goes back to his seat.
“I’m Chief Cloak, and for your knowledge, your head of security, so I’m not here to mince words. We shouldn’t be doing the fucking Gauntlet this year at all, especially here, but I was outvoted.”
Wow, don’t hold back. Tell us how you really feel.
“As Dean Caldron said, you will be tested on your magic and skills, but what he left out ishowyou’ll be tested. The Gauntlet will be a death trap for you to survive in for a week. You will be living off the land the entire time. You will not be coming back here to sleep in your beds, take showers, or grab food. So, for those of you who have the capability to portal around, that’s not going to happen,” Chief gruffs. “Try to get smart and use a portalstone that’s anchored to the school or the grounds here or Nova? I’m warning you now, it won’t work.”
He takes a moment to walk the length of the stage, and his aura is as intimidating as it is without his Alpha presence, so I can only imagine how the shifters feel when he lets some of his power out. Knox’s slight shift in his seat is the only indication that Chief is even doing so.
“As our world intended, we are fierce creatures, meaning this course is fierce and unforgiving. If you missed our earlier announcement, the Sulks have been spotted here multiple times, and I have officially dubbed this their hunting grounds. So, you not only have to worry about your environment and the wildlife that reside within, but also about that. We also have the Rebels in droves, and they have been seen in and around our academy. Now with all of that said, that’s not even the worst of the worst that’s out there,” he says, stopping in the middle of the stage and looking over the room. “The worst thing you’ll have to worry about is the other students, because there are no rules during the Gauntlet. It’s a free-for-all.” With that said, he turns and walks back to his chair.
“Fuck me,” Rez says under her breath.
“Gladly.”
“Seriously, Ry, because this might be your last time. Me during the gauntlet with no powers? I’m a sitting duck with a bullseye on my flank. I’m fucked and not in a good way.” Rez closes her eyes and leans on my shoulder.
I must admit, I love how she’s relying on me to comfort her, but I’m kinda worried. Rez without powers is really a shitty plan, any way you hack it. We need a game plan, and quick, because like Rez says, right now the fates are fucking us hard, and they forgot the damn LUBE!!
CHAPTER 14
Hell has Risen
Moni
It doesn’t take a color chart to know I’m cycling through dark gray and neon green for the whole world to see my nerves and excitement. Leaning over Chester, I tap Knox on the knee to grab his attention.
“Your father is a DICK!” I tell him with a strict nod.
He looks at me with a straight face for a moment and gives me a toothy grin. “Damn straight, Sis,” he says, holding up his fist for a bump.
Have I told you how much I love my big bro? Well, my step/half/adopted bro? What is he, since JP really is my brother?
Speaking of family, Delvin walks up to address the assembly, and murmurs ripple through the crowd.
“Is that the famous Delvin?”
“I saw him once before in our town when I was five.”
“He’s so dreamy.”
I thought I had daddy issues, but after hearing the last of Delvin’s tale this morning, Rez definitely has me beat. I didn’t have any dads at first, then Matthew took me in, and now I havemy bio dad. But woozers, she has two liquid daddies! And to top it off, one of them is wanted by the Queen of the Damned and Certified Nut Job of Hell.I wonder if she’s sane enough to actually come back to Purgatory.
Delvin slightly raises his hand, and everyone quiets.
“I’m Delvin, and I’m here to talk about the schematics of traveling during the Gauntlet,” he starts.
Wouldn’t we just walk, or in my case, fly?
“You will start in the Ever Woods and travel through portals throughout the course and end up back here between the Sanctuary and Gym.”
Well, great, I hope I don’t get to see my cousins this time, but what the hell does he mean by ‘the course’? Like an obstacle course? Like a maze? This is getting heavy. I need something to calm my nerves.I pull out my coffee and take a deep inhale before I take a sip of the best thing ever. Better than sex even.
“Some of you might be able to pass through faster than others, and some might need the whole week to make it back here to complete the Gauntlet and earn the right to get your blessing. That is, if you come back at all.”
Yeesh, Delvin is dark and boring. Is that the right word?
