Page 137 of The Last Syphon

They took their places for the next round. The team decided to let her run the play this time, thinking that her ability to jump would increase their chances of scoring again. It was first to three, and so far, they were fucking winning.

The crowd had grown in size, almost double, but Inara didn’t focus on that, taking her stance. She tucked the ball deep into her arm and held onto it tightly.

They waited in anticipation for the bell to ring.

Things were definitely different this time. Across the field, Prince Walder had his sights firmly locked on her, his piercing gaze never wavering.

Did it freak her out a little?

Yes.

Did she love it?

Also yes.

His last words streaked through her mind.

“You have no idea what you have just unleashed.”

She was far too eager to find out.

The bell rang. Everyone ran. Prince Walder’s approach was entirely different this time. He took off at a full sprint, surprising Inara at his speed. He ran far too fast for a man his size, completely blazing past his team members in a blur. If he weren’t so honourable, Inara would have thought the prince was cheating somehow and using magic.

She cursed in her head and pushed her legs to run harder. If Inara didn’t beat him to the magical zone, she was fucked.

He reached it a heartbeat before her. The second his foot crossed the line, he jumped. She passed her line, but it was too late. Time seemed to slow down as the next few seconds played out. He appeared in front of her, palm out. Her eyes widened. She summoned her magic. His hand slammed into her chest, the momentum of his jump making his hit far more powerful. Pain lanced her, and she flew back. Prince Walder bolted forward. He leapt, meeting her in the air, his hand splaying out just below her throat, and slammed her to the ground. Another bout of pain hit her and the air whooshed out of her lungs. He plucked the ball from her grasp easily and disappeared, scoring the goal for his team and leaving her a crumbled mess on the ground.

“Oh, fuck.” She groaned, holding her chest. “What the fuck just happened?” she breathed out with a whoosh.

Prince Walder appeared at her side, and his eyes ran the length of her body slowly. “You look good on your back too.” He smirked, gaze blazing.

She glared.

Oh.

It was fucking on.

They went back to their respective zones and the game began again. The next few rounds, Inara and Prince Walder kept a close eye on each other. They didn’t start with the ball again, but that didn’t matter. The two ran at each other as if they had it anyway, trying to pin each other down and keep the other from engaging. Battle raged on around them, beams of energy and whooshes of air flying around the field as they fought one another.

Avina, an average-height woman with a pixie-style haircut, could shoot black sludge out from her palms that trapped people right on the spot. Ky kept her at bay for a short while, dodging the sludge with quick feet and fast reflexes. Around them, everyone else fought. Thaso with Billie, each of them hurtling attacks at each other. Pria, with telekinesis, was trying desperately to pin Rosemary down, but the other woman had superspeed, almost running circles around Pria.

Eventually, Avina managed to score a point for their team.

Thaso had telekinesis as well, a solid ability that he used to his advantage several times by flinging away his opponents anytime they got in his way. He scored a point too.

In the background, Eli shot beams of energy across the field. His power was amazing, almost deadly, but his aim could use a little work. It was probably a good thing he was only a youthen, because that power could leave a hole in someone’s body.

It was the final round, and Inara had the ball once again. If she scored this point, they won. Her clothes and face were covered in mud. It was stuck in her hair. Beneath her fingernails. She swore some of it was in her mouth too, but she didn’t care. She was having far too much fun.

Prince Walder looked exactly the same. The two of them had been wrestling the last few rounds, rolling along the ground and blasting each other with their magic. Him, shooting shards of ice at her. And her, knocking him on his ass with strong, concussive bursts of her shield.

It was safe to say they were even now.

This would decide the winner.

Inara placed the ball on the ground and kicked off her shoes. She ran faster without her shoes on. After shaking out her body, she picked the ball back up and tucked it under her arm.

Across the field, Prince Walder had his sights locked on her, his gaze never wavering. They were both crouched into a running stance, ready to take off the moment the bell rang.