Page 32 of A Shadow of Betrayal

“What are the Ranger Games?” I ask, figuring I should milk as much information from them as I can. Theo turns his excited brown eyes on me and perks up at my question.

“Every Friday during our nine-week Umbra training course, there is a Ranger Game. Each bloodline is paired up with the one closest to the other on the scoreboard, and we use the skills we have learned to compete against the other bloodline. The first one was last Friday, but Jordan and I missed it because…” Theo nods at me and smiles. “Well, you were there. It was a crazy weekend. But I’m really looking forward to this week's games. I heard they made them use the tracking skills we were taught and had to find one of the Umbra Hunters in a blizzard!” Theo is practically bouncing on his chair in excitement as he describes what I would consider a hellish task.

“And we won,” Jordan pipes up, making Theo whip his head in his direction and roll his eyes.

“You weren't even there, Jord. You don’t get bragging rights until you actually help your bloodline.”

Jordan scoffs and shakes his head. “Meyer and my bloodline won, man. So we get the bragging rights. No need to be jealous.”

“Fuck off. I'm not jealous.”

“Right,” I say slowly, cutting off their argument. “So we have these games weekly? For nine weeks?” Theo and Jordan nod.

“Yeah. Each bloodline is scored on their performance, and then points are added to the scoreboard. Right now, the Drakos and Regalis bloodlines are tied for first. But Axford and DeLuca aren’t far behind.”

Jordan nods in agreement as he stares at me, tilting his head back and forth, making me feel uncomfortable.

“What?”

“You know, I’m kinda surprised you’re not in the Axford bloodline. Don’t get me wrong. I'm thrilled you're Regalis, but you have more features to suggest you are Axford. Besides the eyes, of course.”

“Oh, my God! Right? I said the same thing when I met her. I asked what bloodline she was a part of and guessed it was Axford or Regalis,” Theo chimes in while he digs through his bag.

“Which ones are the Axfords?” I ask, looking over the busy cafeteria and finding several tables filled with faces I don't know. Jordan and I sat with the rest of the Regalis group at the back of the room, and I look over to the people right next to us, dressed in matching black and red shirts, then eye Theo’s identical one he’s wearing. Those must be the Drakos line, but there are five other tables I don't know about.

“Drakos is the one right next to us,” Jordan says, confirming my thoughts. “Then there are the DeLucas,” he says, pointing at the ones dressed in brown leather fighting gear and yellow shirts. They have stunning golden skin and hair that almost matches their complexion, making them look odd and beautiful all at once.

“The Rivera bloodline is after them,” Theo says, taking over as he points to where a bunch of people sit, glaring at anyone who walks past them. “I would stay away from them if you can help it. They are a bloodthirsty bunch who don’t like outsiders,” Theo mutters as I watch the group.

“Then there is the Rossi bloodline and, finally, the Axfords,” Jordan says, pointing to the tables at the far end of the room. “You have the Regalis green eyes but the Axford hair and skin color,” Jordan continues as I look at the table that holds the Axford bloodline. I take in the god-like-looking people sitting there, all of which have different shades of blond hair, and nod in agreement when I find several with pale blond hair the same shade as my own.

“The Regalis bloodlines tend to pull the darker tones. Most of them have brown and black hair. But you do get a few odd ducks in the mix,” Theo mutters, nodding to where Monroe sits at the only other table Jordan and Theo didn't assign a bloodline to.

“And who's at that table?” I ask, watching Monroe laugh before leaning forward on his seat, talking to a seriously good-looking blond giant sitting across the table from him.

“The Umbra Hunters who have been placed into units, they’re brought in for our training. Sometimes the Bloodline Seniors and instructors sit with them, but more often than not, they sit with their Rangers as a show of unity.” Just then, a group of black leather-clad men walk through the big open doors of the cafeteria, making the volume of the room drop significantly as the Rangers from all the tables turn and watch the men.

“Oh shit, they’re back. I wonder if they were able to get the Legion taken down on the north ridge,” Jordan whispers, straining in his seat to look over the people in front of him to get a better look at the men. I lean to my right, looking around Jordan and watching as the men break up and move in different directions.

A few move to the Drakos table and others to the DeLucas while the final one keeps walking toward our table, his steps quick and shoulders square as he strides up to Lennox and shocks the hell out of me when he tosses something on the table before clasping his hand on the big Viking's shoulder and reaching forward to steal Lennox’s dinner roll. I take in his curly brown hair and arch a brow when I see Razar’s hooded head dip in a small greeting. The most reaction I have seen from the man since I accidentally ran into him this morning.

Lennox looks up from where he's been glaring at his dinner and grins, shocking me enough that I feel my lips part in surprise as he stands, wraps an arm around the newcomer, and drags him into a weird side-hug that men like to give out. But I can't tear my gaze away from Lennox’s face. The scowl that seemed to be a permanent feature of his handsome face is gone, and it makes him so much more attractive. In fact, when the man isn’t glaring at the world, he almost appears to be… kind.

“So weird,” I whisper to myself as I tear my attention away from Lennox and back to the man who has stepped back from the jerk and now faces me, making me gasp and stand from my chair when I recognize his familiar features.

“Creed?”

SIXTEEN

Creed

I walk through the cafeteria, the familiar scents of my surroundings acting as a balm on my overstimulated senses as I shift the double blades strapped on my back off my shoulders. I stride down the small area between the Drakos and Regalis tables, feeling the eyes of the new Rangers on me as I go, the adrenaline of fighting still swirling through my veins, heightening my senses.

Finally, I spot my brothers at the Regalis table and grin, happy to see them again. I hate being away from them, but with the number of Demons that keep showing up on the north side of the mountain, Lennox wanted me to go with the two Umbra units Drakos and Axford had sent in order to keep the casualties to a minimum.

Since Lennox is stuck here with the new Rangers, and he needs one of us to stay with him at all times, I volunteered to go, so Razar could be here. It's been a successful mission, but I'm glad to be home. After the close call I had a few days ago, I've been itching to get out from under Nox’s protective gaze, and it felt good to stretch my legs in the cold mountain air again. But now that I’m back, I'm hoping to find more information about the girl who helped me that night.

Razar and Nox had dragged me back to the Castle, not listening to a word I said about the girl with white blonde hair and green eyes, and she’s been on my mind every second of every day since I woke up. She’d been able to get me into the house after being attacked, and I know she saw the Demons. She has the sight, and I feel like she needs our help, but Lennox wouldn't listen to reason.

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