Page 64 of In Prey We Trust

Chess was waiting for me with a huge breakfast and he sat with me until I finished every bite, smirking at the way I moved as we chatted. I asked him if he knew about Zhenga being in the underground fights and he nodded, throwing out a blasé answer about keeping tabs on people. When I sat back and groaned, patting my full belly, he just laughed.

Apparently, I need a lot of energy today, and he plans to provide the fuel.

The next boyfriend to show up was Fitz, and he was the one to put the video on the huge flatscreen on the wall. As predicted, the whole fight and my walk of fame after our locker room hijinks were remixed and went apeshit viral. His eyes sparkled with mischief as he pointed out my ‘just fucked’ hair—thanks Felix—before tugging me into his lap.

His laughter drew out Rennie and Aubrey, both of whom watched the damn thing on loop for a few as they gave me teasing looks and tossed out little barbs about my haughty persona. The worst part was reading the comments; they ranged from drooling people saying dirty shit about both of us to angry morons bitching about the announcer calling Felix the future king. If I could have reached through the screen to choke them, I would have.

Fitz’s response was, “Fame brings out the assholes, Baby Girl.”

He’s right—my experience with social media after the Vom Prom proved that.

By the time everyone calmed down, Chessie had the table cleaned up and was making notes on the board with this week’s accomplishments. I told him about the mysterious Rakoto woman in the stands and how Zhenga made sure I saw her. That moved her from question mark status to a solid ‘bad guy’ in my mind, so we need to get someone on her. Fitz let me know defeating Jaiyana has me on the Plastics’ radar; they’ve started their own little hate campaign online. Unfortunately for them, the viral video has quashed it, so we let it go for now.

Aubrey and Rennie booked us time this coming week in the National Library for research so we can compare our maps from Apex to some of their texts. The library here is ill-equipped compared to my old school, so they want to sneak out Monday night after dinner to use the more comprehensive archives. It’s a good plan, but with my workload, it will take a chunk out of my homework time.

Not that it matters if the people trying to kidnap or kill me succeed.

We continued working until lunch, then Fitz declared it was time to get ready for the Games. The others grumbled, but he sent me packing to change into workout clothes and when I returned, we went outside to the back lawn.

Now he’s looking at me in my yoga pants and sports bra like he wished he’d made another choice. “Fitz, what are we doing?”

“Shit. Distracted.” He shakes his head and grins. “We’re doing yoga and stretches and meditation shit. Get in a mental place where all that other stuff is gone before it’s time to head to the arena. The Games are dangerous and you need to focus and get your body unkinked.”

I arch a brow.

“Bad joke, I know,” he chuckles and shrugs. “I can’t help it. You’re covered in tiger bites and scratches. It’s making me itchy and horny.”

“I doubt me bending in funny positions and groaning is going to help.”

“Won’t know until we try, Baby Girl.”

Famous last words.

Adrenaline is pumping through my system as I stand in front of my locker. Dusk fell, and the guys had Kirby walk me over to the Games arena. Since the female Games are first, Felix and Fitz will be in the stands with the rest of my boyfriends until they have to join their team. I know Cori and Rufus will be there; they’ve been texting all day with updates on my viral infamy with the Khan heir. Rufus swears it’s going to pack the crowd like the girls’ Games had never seen and that makes me even more nervous.

If I don’t do well, there will be so many consequences I can’t even parse them—no pressure.

When I arrived, they were setting up the ferry on the other side of the river and it didn’t look bad, but that was probably just students. It’s been a couple hours since then and I’ve kept to myself, staying in the mental zone Fitz and I created at our MojoDojo home. He hasn't stopped calling it that since Aubrey grumbled and it cracks me up. Of course, my feminist AF tiger would choose to make our place ‘me’ centric; he’s never once balked at any of my quirks or damage. He just supports me like my personal cheerleader, no matter what, and has no compunction about letting me find my way.

I shake my head as the different ways the guys and my besties help me, my heart swelling at the comparison to everything before them. My life is truly different now and I’m able to be the person I always wanted to be. For that reason alone, I have to show all the people who doubted me when I turned out to be a bunny that I am a force to be reckoned with. The thing they consider my detriment is my strength, and I won’t hide in the shadows to avoid conflict anymore.

They yelled ‘run, rabbit, run’ once, but now they’re the ones who need to run because I’m coming for all of them.

My lips curve up as I pull on the snug Capital Prep jersey and matching booty shorts. Competitors need to move and shift without worrying about restrictive materials. However, like all pred events, they also want us branded with their logos, so the uniform gets destroyed at every single match. I took off Rennie’s choker at the house because the crowd doesn’t need to see the magic, but also I was afraid they could use it against me. Someone could steal it from my locker or get a grip on it in the ring—neither of which is optimal. Even my hair is braided in tightly tucked dual French braids to prevent hair pulling; I’m not giving whoever I fight any quarter.

“Time to line up, ladies!” Zhenga yells from the doorway.

Shutting my locker, I walk over to the line-up. She’s got us in order of appearance and I’m near the end. I don’t know if that’s better or worse, but I can feel the Plastics stare as I take my place. Luckily for me, they can’t arrange an ‘accident’ because none of the matches are paired until right before we go onto the field. I suppose there’s wiggle room if they have friends on other teams or minions, but I’ve never seen them drag along anyone like the Heathers do. No, those girls handle their own shit and have the power to do it without needing sycophants. They’re a different breed of bully, though just as dangerous.

My eyes close for a moment as I remember what Fitz told me this afternoon. “Baby Girl, there isn’t a motherfucker on the planet—much less that arena—worth wondering if you’re good enough. You’re Delores Drew: a survivor, a warrior, and we love you. Remember that we believe in you.” It made me watery and almost does now, but I steel my spine and jut my chin out.

I’m ready to rock, no matter what happens when we jog out.

The line moves, so I follow along, staying in my confident zone rather than paying attention to the shit going on around me. I don’t whisper with the others or listen to the extremely loud crowd echoing in the tunnel as we wait. When the announcer calls our names, my gaze is hard and I’ve got my game face on as I run behind Denita. She’s in front of me and I can feel her nerves as we hit the lights and sound of the jam-fucking-packed stadium. Someone murmurs about never seeing this many people here before, but I let it wash over me while I watch her run across the field to the benches.

A roar of applause and boos in equal measure is a cacophony when they called my name. I expected as much, so I make my path across slower, letting them all know I won’t be cowed. My eyes catch on the front row behind our bench, and the smile that splits my face is impossible to control.

Sitting there in one long line are my guys in a ridiculous pink, sparkly version of the Capital Prep jerseys that say ‘Drew Fluffle’ in curly letters. My number is on them, and I’d be willing to bet Rufus put my name on the back, too. There’s something on the sleeves I can’t read, but even Felix is standing in his Barbie-style jersey clapping. Rufus and Cori are on the other side of them in their own jerseys and I’ll be damned if the Captain, Raina, and their entire crew aren’t there talking with Luc.

---