The mists were thicker and much colder today than they’d been since the start of the dry season. Despite the chilly morning, Jenne was up early to say his prayers and get ready to challenge Renna Sorel, only to find out she wasn’t home. She had an appointment with Doctor Leonard, postponing their session to the evening.

  He sat on the bonnet of Ashey’s ride home, clad in a long green jacket and black leather gloves. It was nearly time for closing—the last day of school for the pupils at Glen Jacobs. The driver leaned against the bonnet, arms folded, sucking on the lollipop he’d been licking since they arrived.

  “You don’t know me all that well, so think of me as a passive observer who’s wondering what’s going on between the two of you,” he said.

  “Ashey and me?” asked Jenne.

  “Ms Sorel did not mention any particular place she was taking you.”

  “We’re just friends,” Jenne said.

  “You’ve done well,” he said. “I’ve driven a lot of assholes around. I’ve known you for the shortest time, but you seem like a good boy.” The man clicked his tongue and shook his head. “Nicholas. He was the worst.”

  Jenne hadn’t planned on gossiping today, especially not on a Thursday afternoon. To be fair, no one planned to gossip. With a tinge of guilt, Jenne asked, “What is he like?”

  “Oh, Nicholas? I hated him before he was born. Has everything he wants. Doesn’t need to work a day in his life. They used to go to the same school together before Ms Sorel switched and came here.”

  “But they never stopped being friends?”

  “Nicholas is the type you don’t notice at first. Ms Sorel had many friends, but you know how she can be at times—fights here and there—and soon it was just her and the boy. He told her where they should go out to eat, and where they shouldn’t go. Told her what made her look ugly and what looked good on her. Drove away new friends and kept the old ones from coming back. Told her ‘Ashamel’ sounded like the name of someone who drank the blood of goats.”

  Jenne snorted, and the man chuckled.

  “For someone who matters so much to her, I hardly hear his name,” Jenne said. “What changed?”

  The driver shrugged. “I only know so much, but I’d say Renna had something to do with it. You and the white-haired boy as well. Especially you—she likes you a lot.”

  “Is that why you said I’d done well?”

  “I’ve never caught you pinching or yelling at her,” the driver said, letting silence hang for a moment. “Look, the bar wasn’t that high to begin with.”

  The school bell rang, drowned out by the shrieks of a thousand students. Books flew from windows. Bitter teachers screamed for the pupils to behave, reminding them the holidays were not forever. The little ones ran out of the gates first, climbing onto their bikes and racing off into the streets. The older students hugged and said goodbye to friends, their white shirts blending into the mist.

  Parents with luggage stacked on the roofs of their cars parked along the street, eyes on the impending traffic. Some would be leaving by boat for Soden tomorrow.

  Jenne had no trouble spotting Ashey. She was alone. No one stopped to say goodbye. She didn’t care—her eyes were fixed on him. Her soft smile grew wider as she ran toward him, arms open. They embraced. Ashey wrapped her arms around his waist, trying to lift him off the ground. He shrieked for her to stop.

  “You’re not going to believe what happened today,” she said, arms around his neck. “You were right. You were one hundred percent right about everything you told me.”

  “What did I tell you?”

  The driver started the engine, but Ashey didn’t budge. She stayed rooted on the sidewalk, rummaging through her bag to pull out a sheet of paper.

  “We had BMP today, right? So last night, I was studying for the practical test—because that’s what we do all year. We get to the lab, try out a few spells, and get our grade.”

  “What is BMP?”

  “Basic Magic Principles.”

  “I thought you had Maths today.”

  “That was in the morning. This happened after. Okay, so I was studying and studying. I even had my old notes from Se Fina and everything—see, here they are. Everything from when we started. I knew it was going to cover me for the test, so I wasn’t worried or anything.”

  Jenne took her hand and guided her to the car door.

  “But then I got to class this morning and nope, we weren’t going to the lab.”

  Ashey slipped away for a second, then came right back to where they had been standing. She fluttered the test sheet in his face.

  “Look, no test instructions. It’s all multiple choice! I swear.”

  This time, Jenne led her into the car. His face wasn’t spared from the barrage of spit bullets that sprayed from her mouth. They sat together at the back.

  “I was about to panic when I remembered what you told me yesterday. I’m supposed to be positive. No more bad thoughts. No more bad energy, or I’ll have bad luck for the rest of my life.”

  “I didn’t say that,” Jenne replied.

  “I told myself I wasn’t a dummy. No matter what, I’m going to pass this test. So, I cheated.”

  “I definitely didn’t tell you to do that.”

  “There’s this boy in my class. He’s very smart, quiet, and shy, but he knows a lot about magic even though he’s human, like you.”

  Jenne grabbed the question paper and took a quick glance. It wasn’t hard at all.

  “You’re not the least bit embarrassed,” he said. “You and I spent months studying ascension. You should be acing this test!”

  “Sheesh, we did that a long time ago, okay? And it’s like I didn’t know everything. Just the stuff I wasn’t sure about.”

  “You mean the questions whose numbers you’ve circled around?”

  “Yup.”

  “Ashey, that’s all of them.”

  “What matters is, I used my smarts and I got help,” she said. “I gave Jess my number as payment.”

  “I’m sure he’s grateful.”

  “Aw, don’t get jealous, Jenne. He’ll text me for probably a week and stop.”

  “Great.”

  She stretched her legs and arms and smiled. They got onto the main road and started going faster.

  “Finally, I can have some free time.” She looked out the window and sighed. “I love Christmas so much. Earthen holidays are the best.”

  “Christmas isn’t earthen… are we still going Christmas shopping today?”

  “Right!” She gasped and said something to the driver in Kirisi, too quick and accented for Jenne to pick up. He responded affirmatively and turned at the next junction.

  Ashey took out a fat envelope and peeped inside. “How long are we going to take?” Jenne asked, thinking back to previous times he’d gone out with Ashey on an errand. “I have to be back at the estate before your mom comes home.”

  “No, you don't. You spent my night yesterday at your party. Tonight, we’re doing what I want. First, I’m taking you to the spa. Then we’ll go to the theatre to watch my favourite musical. After that, we’ll spend the rest of the evening sailing on a boat across Hessen, beneath the statues… looking up at the stars.” She glanced upwards. “You’ll then look into my eyes, brush my hair from my ear. Our noses will touch…” She bit her lip and closed her eyes, touching her heart.

  Ashey took her phone and wrote a quick note.

  “What’s that for?”

  “Aunt Terry’s coming home for the holidays.” Her eyes widened, and she placed a finger on her lips. “Don’t tell anyone, okay? Driver, that includes you.”

  “I keep an oath, Ms Sorel,” the driver said.

  “Good,” said Ashey. She moved closer until there was no space between them. She opened her texts and showed him her messages. A certain Aunt Terry had told Ashey about their surprise trip to Henrikia this Christmas. “I can’t wait to see the look on my grandma’s face when she finds out. God, I’m so excited. I had to tell someone.” The tips of her ears burned. Ashey fanned herself, making her face feel even hotter.

  Ashey showed him some pictures of Aunt Terry and her children, Neva and Tori. Each had golden hair and green eyes, just as Jenne had come to expect. She then showed him a family photo, including one with Terry’s husband, Marcel. Ashey was about to swipe away when Jenne asked to take another look. Marcel had light brown hair and golden eyes. He was a middle-aged man, tall but beardless, dressed in a brown suit with one hand on Terry’s waist.

  “What’s your aunt’s full name?” asked Jenne.

  “Terell Llyod. Why?”

  "Oh my God."

  “Why!”

  The driver cleared his throat, giving Jenne a certain look through the mirror.

  “Nothing,” Jenne said quickly. “He looked like someone I’d seen on the news, that’s all.”

  “It must have been him,” she said. “He’s really rich, you know.”

  “I guess.”

  Marcel Llyod—as in Pariston Llyod’s brother. Ashey’s uncle had killed Hamis’ uncle.

  “I’m going to bake a cake for the family on Christmas Day,” she said quietly.

  Jenne showed his teeth when he smiled. “That would be quite a treat.”

  “I wish you’d be there to have a slice,” she said, flashing a smile before looking away. “I know you’re leaving. Hanna keeps yelling it at my face.”

  “I’ll be back,” he said. “I’m just going home to spend Christmas with my family.”

  “Why do you have to ruin Christmas?” she asked. “Can’t you stay this month and go in January? I don’t want you to leave, Jenne.”

  “Your family will be here with you.”

  “You’re my family, too.” She frowned and pouted. Her face was burning again. “What if I want you for myself? Does that make me selfish?”

  The grocery shops around Little Soden were packed with shoppers from all over town. Finding no room to park, they moved to the next district, and then the next, until Jenne’s patience ran out and he suggested the mall. She led the way, and the driver helped with the groceries. Ashey wanted to surprise Aunt Terry with more than just a cake, so she went all the way to buy gift wrappers for when they would come to get presents for her cousins.

  They arrived at the estate at sundown, with Jenne drained from the day’s hustle. Dossi came by to help take out the items, Hanna among them. He and Hanna were no longer on friendly terms, though they still spoke to each other. She examined the items as she carried them away. “You went to the mall,” she said, as if he’d done something wrong.

  The dossi reported that Schemel had returned from the hospital and was waiting for Jenne on the training platform. He hurried upstairs. His mistress was sitting on the platform, facing away. She wore a grey sports bra and matching gym pants, her hair tied back with a rubber band. Jenne could already feel his ribs aching. Schemel was unnecessarily cruel when she was this prepared.

  “Sorry I’m late.”

  “I got back from Leonard’s hospital not too long ago.”

  “We could hold off training today, if you need rest. I wouldn’t mind.”

  “I’m not ill,” she said. “In fact, I feel better than ever.”

  Rings of light exploded around her, spinning in threes and fours. She rose, bending backwards, then forwards. It was not long before she was bleeding from her nose. Jenne focused on the tattoo on the back of her hand. The hex glowed amber, a reminder that she could drop dead at any instant.

  “Renna, stop! You’re dying! Please!”

  “Magic. Spells. Power. Ascension. My life is magic. If I stopped casting spells, I might as well be dead.”

  The clouds parted, allowing the setting sun to shine. Schemel lifted her hands, and they were washed in a river of gold flowing above her head. She lowered them and glared at her curled fingers.

  It became clear to him that she was not dying. This woman. Not even death could hold her. Yet he had to ask, “How are you still alive?”

  She did not answer his burning question. Instead, she smirked, stuck the tip of her tongue out, and touched it with her little finger. She reached for the heavens and struck down. Jenne sprinted out of the way as a beam hit the ground. Particles of light scattered, and heat washed over him. Schemel spun in a drunken dance, golden rays from the sun spearing through the chaos. He danced with her, swaying through calamity. A beam slit through his sleeves, burning his skin. Jenne seethed, biding his time, knowing there would be an opening soon.

  She closed her eyes and stood still, opened her arms, and snapped her fingers. Jenne jumped as chains sprung from the ground, chasing him. He spun and slashed through them, stomped on a golden disc, and leapt forward, blade ready for the kill. Schemel held a long staff. She shoved him off, but he came back, biting at her steps with swing after swing. She parried with spins of her staff, walking about, unfazed. He broke his stride, crafted a sphere, and smashed it on the ground. Blinding light burned her eyes. Jenne sprang through, blade intact but failed to land a blow.

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  “My grandfather brought me here every morning to watch the sun,” she said, balancing her blade on her shoulder. The setting sun shone in the green pool of her eyes, and she smiled at it. “I’m used to the burning light.”

  A flying dagger shot straight for her head. With a flick of her finger, a ray from heaven struck it down. She looked up where Jenne had been standing—but he was right beside her, ready to shove a blade through her ribs. She caught him by the wrist and sent him flying. He rolled across the platform. Rising onto his knees, he slapped his hands together—and nothing happened. Rays from the sun were supposed to smite her.

  She placed a hand on her hip, giving him a patronising smile. She knew what he wanted to do. Jenne crafted blades again and launched another attack, moving faster than before. Their blades rang out, sparks flying as the intensity grew. She spun around and caught her foot between his legs. Jenne was entangled, stumbling to the ground. She grabbed him by the collar and set him straight.

  “Again,” she said, and he went on the attack. He tossed his blades in the air, crafted new ones, striking and deflecting. He struck with the first two, caught the next two, and struck again. Jenne swapped blades at his back, crafting new ones, tossing old ones, hobbling around like a deadly juggler. He screamed, swinging mightily across her thigh. She stepped aside, and her blade slammed through his head.

  Schemel grabbed him by the collar and set him upright. “Come on,” she said, mocking. Jenne winced, resisting the urge to rub his head. He bent his neck left and right, as though it meant something. Then he crafted his blades again, clanking them together. This time, he would wound her.

  Jenne’s daggers ignited. He screamed with all his might, burning with the desire to land a single, decisive blow. She spun her staff faster, grunting as he forced her to backtrack. With a slash, her staff broke in half. Jenne pounced, striking her through the nose. He slashed down across her torso, crafted ropes, bound her arms, and dragged her forward. A new blade in hand, he drove for her heart—She punched him through the face.

  Strings of light wrapped around Jenne, spinning him with force. He landed on his feet and raised his knife, going for the kill anyway. With a slide of her foot, his legs entangled once more, and he fell to the ground. Schemel drove down, fist aimed for his face. Jenne shut his eyes and braced himself.

  The blow never landed. He could feel her on top of him, but she wasn’t moving. Slowly, he opened his eyes and found her sad. The slash across her torso had cut deep into her sports bra but not ripped it off. Other than that, she was fine, except for the blood smeared beneath her nose. Schemel undid the band holding her hair in place, and she ran her hand through it.

  “I can’t hit you,” she said, barely breathing. Her fist was released and she placed a warm hand against his ear. Her body blocked out the weak sun as she lowered herself towards him. She parted his lips with hers and put her tongue in his mouth. It was not a kiss. Something wet dripped into his mouth and it took him a few moments to realise it was blood from her nose. Her grip on his hand tightened, squeezing and releasing in between pulses.

  “What if I want you for myself?" she asked. “Does that make me selfish?”

  It was night, and he sat alone on his bed, in his room. He had a missed call from Hamis. Hamis would ask whether he was excited for tomorrow, but Jenne was too tired for that conversation. Something more important had come up.

  How was he going to get that blood off his face? He’d already tried washing it, but it was still there, staring back at him in the mirror. His reflection wore a glower—the glare of a cold-hearted killer. What are you angry about? Thousands would kill to kiss Renna Sorel. He had that privilege. Why him? He did not deserve that treatment. There were so many people out there she could…

  Jenne walked back into the bathroom and washed his face again. He opened his mouth and counted the strands of saliva. Which ones were his own? He could still smell her perfume on himself. Anyone would take one look at him and know what he had been up to. But I’m getting ahead of myself. She clearly did that to tease him. It was a game for her. She couldn’t possibly love him. I’m earthen. And she’s next to God! Get it out of your head.

  His tongue had been inside her mouth—really inside—and blood had dripped from her nose onto his face. He slid onto the bathroom floor and retched into the toilet bowl. He was disgusting. She didn’t know better. Renna had been panicking about dying, and he’d taken advantage of her.

  Children looked up to him. What would they say if they knew what kind of person he was? He had friends he would lose, and his family could not protect him. Who could he explain himself to? He couldn’t imagine looking into Mari’s eyes again.

  A soft knock on the door reminded him where he was. The person did not wait for him to answer before walking in. He hoped it wasn’t Schemel, but he couldn’t think of anyone else it could be.

  “Jenne, where are you? It’s time for dinner…”

  Ashey found him sitting against the bathroom door, his hands around his knees.

  “Jenne,” she said, getting down on her knees. She took his arms and stared, stunned at what she saw. “Why are you crying?”

  “I’m not,” he tried to say.

  “Is something wrong?” she asked. “Was my mom mean to you?”

  He shook his head and brushed her away with a gentle shove. “I’m fine,” he said. The corners of her lips tugged once. She came closer and placed a hand on his head. Ashey gave him a little pat before sitting at the opposite end.

  “I found a gift for Tori,” she said. He blinked at her and rubbed his eyes. “Do you remember the amusement park I took you to some time ago?”

  “How can I forget?”

  “Tori loves killing earthens—not in the way that I mean… God, I’m so dumb.” She blew a raspberry and slapped her cheeks. “He likes killing earthens in fiction. Neva says his favourite games are all about that kind of stuff: zombie earthens, spaceship battles with alien earthens, Great Oppression recreation. So, I was thinking, why don’t we hire someone to rebuild the old amusement park for Tori? We could add a few extra games, like a guillotine for straw earthen men.”

  “You’d need different kinds of guns. Killing with assault rifles gets boring pretty quickly.”

  Ashey frowned, deep in thought. “Oh, I know. We could use some snipers. Set them up on a tower, then tie a ribbon to a dog or something. We could set it loose around the park, and Tori would shoot it down.”

  “The earthen is the dog.”

  “Exactly,” she said. They laughed for different reasons.

  “What? Don’t you like it?”

  “It’s great.”

  The long-awaited day had arrived: graduation day. He’d already celebrated one earlier this year. Maselli and Hanna had spent years bombarding him with the truth about the real world. He was robbed of every anticipation and poisoned with cynicism. His friends enjoyed the days leading up to their graduation from basic school and the days shortly after. Knowing the truth about everything at the expense of joy was not worth it. After all, they all ended up in the same place, bitter and disappointed, regardless of who expected better and who expected worse.

  Unlike their usual session at Se Fina, Hamis and Jenne’s matchup today would take place in the late afternoon, when the mists had cleared. This was done for the expected spectators. Before Jenne left for school, he and Schemel had a brief training session. She did not use magic and was more concerned with his form and positioning, among other things. In addition, she mentioned nothing about the day before and seemed no friendlier, as though it had never happened.

  “Leonard informed me about your ripper abilities,” she said. “We do not have any rippers in Henrikia at the moment. Next year, we’ll travel to Yuna to find one. I don’t want us to depend on Sexites to train you.”

  After training, he searched for Hanna. He could not sense her presence anywhere nearby, and his suspicion was confirmed when he asked a few girls he had seen her walking with. The Renna Dossi did not know her whereabouts either. Jenne pretended to be surprised. Hanna had told him where she would be today. She had drawn a line in the sand. Jenne would have to cross it tonight.

  “I’ve told my classmates about your fight with Hamis,” said Ashey at the breakfast table. “All of them are going to be there. They’re going right now—look.” She showed him a video of a couple of her schoolmates cheering at the back of a car. Don Roy was in the driver’s seat, singing Jenne’s name.

  To Jenne’s surprise, they were not the only ones interested in the face-off. Leonard and his colleagues from I.A.A sent a congratulatory message to Jenne, expressing interest in working with him as they advanced their research into ascension-based drugs. They stated they would be at Se Fina, supporting him. Even the Assembly held a brief discussion about Se Fina. Demettle excused himself from office, stating he would be there to support his grandson, who aimed to take up the mantle of his deceased uncle.

  Reports claimed the fight would be televised, courtesy of Mariel, who wanted to give earthens in the UCL a chance to see their kinsman make history: the first earthen Gaverian. Soden was interested. Their president, still in the Midder-Lands, made a statement expressing curiosity about the earthen ascender, whom he believed to be a Henrikian fabrication. Jenne’s name had gone international. All that remained was for the Grand Mason himself to acknowledge it—which he did at midday. No pressure.

  Goldies honked at the gates at two in the afternoon. An officer walked in and asked Schemel if they would like to provide Jenne with a proper escort. She refused on Jenne’s behalf, stating she would bring him to school herself. As the dossi gathered behind Renna’s television, they covered their mouths to hide their screams whenever they saw Jenne on screen. Jenne stood atop the stairs and watched them. He could not see their faces, only the numbers on the backs of their hands. He squeezed his own hand, unable to look away. Who was he doing this for, honestly?

  Back in green and black, with a pair of leather boots, Ashey and Schemel followed him down the stairs. When they saw him, they fell silent—until the Renna Dossi applauded, prompting the others to follow. Jenne hid his face but could not hide his smile. They teased him for it and wished him the best of luck.

  He got comfortable in the back seat with Ashey while Schemel sat behind the wheel.

  “Are you ready?”

  “Yes, Renna,” he said. Ashey placed a hand over the fists he’d formed in his lap, and he relaxed them. She gave a thumbs-up, and he returned the gesture with a grin.

  From the Sorel estate, past Demettle’s mansion and other established homes along the way, cars lined the road, extending all the way to Se Fina. The school gates were wide open. From the training ground, they could hear the cheers of the few thousand who had come for him. It may have been in his mind, but he could hear one name: Aster-Solitte.

  Cars were parked between trees on the lawn, at the front of the administration block, and some had filled the space in front of the library. For a moment, Jenne’s greatest concern was how Verimae was feeling about all of this. He could smell the ascenders nearby. Jay had come, although he was nowhere to be seen in the crowd. Demettle and other officials were under a canopy on the highest peak of the hills surrounding the training ground. Spectators had gathered on the rocky hills.

  A high fence enclosed the platform, one Jenne had not been aware of. Clearly, Ms Class had anticipated a crowd today and had taken precautions. Schemel manoeuvred all the way to the villa, where she parked. She led Jenne from behind, keeping both hands on his shoulders.

  When they appeared on the hilltop, there was a scream and a stampede as people rushed to their sides. Cameras from media groups and individuals flashed in his eyes. Schemel did not stay back but moved towards the incoming crowd.

  If they got any closer, it would be impossible to reach the training ground. Jenne did not have to think much. Before they touched him, his feet floated off the ground. He rose higher until Schemel and Ashey were right below, waving him goodbye. The crowd forgot to stampede Schemel, fixated on the spectacle above their heads.

  “Hello, Jenne,” said Isse. She hovered in the middle of the air. Her white hair was braided into pigtails, ribbons at the ends matching her dress. “Tenrad said if you take any longer, he might have to disqualify you.” They giggled about it as she guided them down to the grounds behind the fence.

  Isse gave Jenne a little kiss on the cheek and said, “Good luck,” then floated off again. There was a hiss from the crowd, followed by a flurry of cheers. Hamis and Tenrad stood on the platform in the centre. Jenne apologised for being late.

  “This is our last Friday,” said Tenrad. “You’ve done this several times before. Today is no different. Anyone who gets knocked down to the ground for more than ten seconds is the loser. Winner gets three points. Understood?”

  Jenne and Hamis nodded at the same time. Tenrad nodded back. With his back turned, he walked to the edge of the platform. “On my signal,” he instructed. Hamis outstretched a hand to Jenne, which Jenne took. They shook hands first, and Hamis pulled him closer, embracing him.

  He placed his lips against Jenne’s ear. “I’m going to Blackwood after this. I’ll be the Gaverian you’re looking for.”

  “What makes you sure you’ll beat me?”

  “I will.”

  They patted each other’s backs and broke apart. The distance between them widened, fuelling the screams of spectators. They stood as far apart as possible. Hamis combined hand signs: his right hand cupped around the wrist of his left as he lifted the index and little fingers. Malfius.

  Jenne spaced his feet, outstretching his hands, combining signs and resting on Misory. Lights spiralled around his wrists, spinning at varying speeds.

  Boys from Ashey’s school were climbing the fence from the west side, cheering louder than most. The doctors Schemel had promised would be here sat under the canopy with Demettle, fanning themselves and checking their watches. Goldies, Dossi, everyday Henrikians—none of the faces belonged to Hanna. Who was supposed to back him when he told Aron about tonight? Blackwood was not seeing this, so what did it matter?

  Schemel sat next to the chancellor. When their eyes met, she blew him a little kiss, and his hands began to tremble. What if everyone knew about them? He did not want that to happen. Renna was an attractive woman, but he did not want her thinking like that about him. It was wrong. What did it matter, though? Who was he going to talk to about this? Mari? His mother was a dirt-poor woman with no influence over anything.

  Jenne shut his eyes and shook thoughts of the kiss away. His lights flickered before stabilising. Lesley was going to be his wife when he got older. She was not very smart, but she was nice to him. Father Ken said they were good together, and they both agreed, although they never said it out loud. Could Lesley stand up to Solvia, the Lady of the Sun?

  Hamis was coming towards Jenne. When had Tenrad given the signal? Jenne’s strings shot out, latching onto the fence and flinging him further away from the advancing Hamis. The marker cast a spell, and forces from above and below crushed Jenne. The earthen dropped onto the ground like a smacked fly.

  “…six, five, four…” Tenrad counted. He was no longer afraid. The world had been unfair, putting so much on him alone. Let whatever happened, happen. “Three… two… one.”

  Silence. From a whirlwind to a sunny day. He could hear himself breathing. Time seemed to stretch, each moment longer than the last. Jenne stayed on the ground, beyond doubt that he had been knocked out for more than ten seconds.

  Hamis landed beside him and dropped to one knee. He lifted Jenne’s head and forced one of his eyes open.

  “There’s something wrong,” Hamis said. “He’s not in a state to fight.”

  “Rules are rules, Hamis. You’re the winner,” said Tenrad. “Congratulations, High Gaverian.”

  “No, I’m not a Gaverian,” said Hamis. He shook Jenne. “Wake up. Tell him you weren’t ready.”

  Discussions broke out all around. Many rushed into the arena, trying to see what was happening. Jenne got to his feet and lifted both hands, waving to show everyone he was fine. Hamis’ eyes watered when he saw this.

  “Jenne…” There was no explanation that would suffice. Jenne did not understand what he had done either. The best he could do was turn his back and walk away.

  People closed in on him, demanding to know why he had lost so easily. Some said it was stage fright, while others claimed he had taken a fall for the chancellor’s grandson. They also argued that Henrikia did not want an earthen to become a Gaverian over a rhen after all. Hamis had yet to be celebrated, as the crowd pressed Jenne to speak.

  Schemel grabbed Jenne after a while and pulled him away from the throng. They spent about an hour hiding in the villa, waiting for everyone else to leave. Later, he found himself in the back of Renna’s sedan, leaving an empty Se Fina behind. He leaned into his seat, watching everything blur past. His mind was dead. His body broken. There was nothing he wanted—not one thing. A burning sensation spread across his chest. Sweat broke out on his brow and his eyes stung. He forced himself to breathe.

  Ashey’s voice sounded distant as she spoke, urging her mother to look at something she had found on her phone. Schemel placed a hand over Ashey and said they should get home first. For the rest of the ride, Ashey sneaked glances at Jenne, biting her lip hard.

  They arrived home, and no one came to meet them at the gates. He forced his legs out of the car. Had it not been for Schemel, he would have collapsed on the ground. She held him upright and checked his brow.

  “God, you’re burning up.”

  She put a hand around his waist as they went up the stairs.

  The dossi had gathered behind the television, unaware that Renna was home. Had his fight been so terrible that they couldn’t stop watching? When one of them saw that Renna had returned, she gasped—and the rest followed. They parted ways, and the Renna Dossi approached Schemel, babbling an apology.

  “It’s alright,” said Schemel. She added more, but Jenne did not hear it.

  Ashey went over to the TV and picked up the remote. Before Jenne and Schemel could see what was happening, she increased the volume. He did not hear the screams of a thousand spectators. What reached him was a woman’s voice, and the voice of a girl responding in English. Hanna was on television.

  “…I am not appealing to Gaverians in Henrikia or anywhere else. Everyone in Blackwood is grateful for Ren Gallant and Ren Regal’s sacrifices. We can never repay them for giving their lives trying to save us. I will not ask for more Gaverians. That is not why I came to the city.

  “I came to take Jeromy back home with me. He is the only one who can save Blackwood. I thought he would be eager to return so we could fight the demon together. I did not know Jeromy was battling his own demons here as well.

  “The Jeromy I knew was quiet and unassuming, but he had a big heart and would never hesitate to save his loved ones. Renna Sorel is killing him. She has her hands around his neck, and he is choking. I am not afraid of Schemel because I have lost all respect for her. She is not fit to be my baby brother’s guardian. She is not responsible enough; otherwise, she would not be having inappropriate relations with a child.

  “She doesn’t care for him, and I know it’s because of what we are. You don’t see a person—you see property. If you really cared for him, you would care that we have thoughts and feelings just like you. We deserve the same respect you give to your own. You didn’t like it when someone touched Ashamel, but it’s fine to do the same to Jeromy. His mother and father are away. Everyone he knows is far away in Blackwood. You promised his father you would take care of him. You are all he has here, and this is how you treat him. Even in Blackwood, with a monster hunting us, I was never alone. I can’t imagine what he is going through…”

  “Tell me what you want,” she said to him alone. “I’ll give you anything.”

  “I want to go home,” he said, and her grip tightened.

  “I’ll take you home,” she said. “But I want something in return first.”

  Jenne felt much better.