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Esther beams again, then stands and pads over, fuzzy slippers whispering against the stone. She doesn’t ask. She simply wedges herself beside me on the couch, close enough that our sleeves touch.

She sighs happily. “This is nice.”

I freeze. Then, because I am apparently incapable of being mean, I shift over a little to make room.

17

Teams and Schemes

The amphitheater is roaring, stands filled with onlookers ready to “observe” Solarball tryouts this evening. The moon winks from above, ready to watch the show about to unfold. The public has had a sway in previous team placements before, cheering loudly for their favored players in hopes that they get placed on one of the eight possible teams. Each team consists of five players—two Fronts, two Backs, and a Wildcard that can float between the front and back of the arena.

The position that I’ve been playing since before I could walk.

There is a non-magical version of Solarball that humans play in their backyards at family gatherings, and then there is real Solarball. The version played at the Watch with Source magic.

I flip a dagger into my hidden thigh sheath and strut into position next to the group of eager cadets, already not feeling sorry for their asses that I’ll be taking up a treasured Wildcard spot. Akemi is somewhere in the crowd looking on… and likely my whole extended family, along with the entire village of Olwythion.

No pressure to not fail or anything. Nothing I can’t handle.

Commander Hogsmith is talking to a tall dark haired professor near the other end of the arena, whispering something into his ear before stepping forward. A sun’cher casts a spotlight over him.

“Great evening for some Solarball tryouts!?”

The crowd roars in response.

I shift my weight from side to side. I’m ready for this moment.

“With Professor Novak’s departure, we were able to secure a new head coach for the teams. Eight captains will be selected today from tryouts and will report to the coach directly for instruction.”

The man next to the commander turns around.

It’s Castor!

My heart gallops in my chest at the realization. Not that he would play favorites… but I am one of his closest friends. The stars are aligning for me tonight; I can feel it.

I knew Castor had returned to the Watch to assist Akemi with her Starwatching lessons, though I never expected him to take on more responsibility than that. Akemi told me he still travels to the front lines on occasion.

And now, add coaching on top of that? Busy, busy man.

Castor addresses the stands, gesturing for them to hold their applause. “Thank you for the welcome! As the commander said, I’m looking for eight captains first. Then we will hold a series of mini games to try out for the teams. I’ll confer with the captains privately after this session to validate the rosters. They will be posted tomorrow.”

“Got to make sure the talent is well balanced, I suppose,” Gryphon says from next to me. “I’m gunning for a Back Captain seat. How about you?”

Captains can play from any spot, technically. With Gryphon’s size, it makes sense he would play more of a defensive role. “Wildcard.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, Ramona,” he says with a wicked grin. “You’ll be one of my first picks if I get Captain.”

Now it’s my turn to grin, turning my face up to meet his stare. “Deal.”

Castor’s voice booms across the arena, magically amplified. “Candidates that wish to compete for a Captain spot, please come forward.”

Cadets shuffle around me, moving side to side as tonight’s hopefuls step forward. I move to the side so Gryphon can step forward, but my eyes snag on another figure. Tall, proud, dark, and devastatingly handsome. Wait, what?

Leaf does look like he’s put on a few more pounds of muscle since I last saw him. The way his uniform stretches across his chest and biceps certainly isn’t helping the matter. His waist tapers to a belt that loops a few times. Legs long and…

Am I checking him out right now? What has gotten into me? I snap my eyes up to his face, only to find those familiar brown ones twinkling with mischief as if he caught me doing something.

I was most certainly not doing anything.