Page 130 of Into the Isle

Once I knew the coast was clear, I ripped the condom out of its packaging . . . and I filled it with water. If this is somehow allowed, I should get an A for effort.

I knew things didn’t work like that at Vikingrune Academy. If anything, I might be reprimanded for what I planned—for making a mockery of the midterm test.

Regardless, I filled up that condom like a gods-damned water balloon and then tied it off at the top. I bounced it around in my palms, pleased with my handiwork, and gently stuffed it in the empty hip-pack I’d brought with me.

I went through all three of my morning and afternoon classes with a water-filled condom in my bag, unbeknownst to anyone.

When Runeshaping Basics came along, I waltzed in overconfidently and told Hersir Selken I was ready for the test.

She blinked at me like I was crazy. Taking me aside from the rest of the students, she said, “I was planning on giving you a one-time essay to write instead, Miss Linmyrr.”

“I appreciate that, ma’am, but the other initiates would never let me live it down. My bullying will become exponentially worse if you let me skate by with a written assignment. Unless that’s what all the others are doing?”

“No. It’s not.”

“Then I’ll have what they’re having.”

“It’s a runeshaping class, Ravinica. You can’t Shape.”

I smiled at her. “Just let me try.”

“Fine.” She checked my body for the first time, lifting a thin brow. “Can I ask why you have a bow strapped to your shoulder?”

My smile only widened. “No, ma’am.”

A few minutes later, the entire class marched outside toward the small village of longhouses near Vala Chamber.

The test was already set up when we arrived at the longhouses. One side of the test longhouse had been opened up completely so students and professors alike could watch from a side angle.

I became giddy, a buzz running through me, when I saw how the room was situated. Just like Randi’s drawing!

Step one of my scheme was complete. Thank the gods for her brother!

Selken asked who wanted to go first, and I waved my hand in the air before anyone else reacted. Sighing, the Hersir pointed at me. “Fine. Ravinica. Show us what you’ve got.”

“The bog-blood?” one girl snarled in disgust.

Astrid joined her, saying, “Ma’am, if I wanted to watch failure, I’d try to find my father.”

Gudleif Selken put her hands on her hips. “Astrid Dahlmyrr, if I wanted to listen to annoying, entitled chirping, I would buy a gods-damned parrot. Keep your opinions to yourself.”

Students laughed. Astrid blushed furiously and glowered at me as if it was my fault she had been so severely burned by our professor.

Hersir Selken gestured me forward. “When you’re ready, Ravinica.”

I marched into the longhouse, standing on the far right side where there were feet marks in chalk. On the other side, a whipping flame was in a lifted stone about three feet high, looking like an Olympic torch.

“You must put out the fire without touching it, and without moving from your spot,” Selken said. “Understand?”

I nodded firmly. “Yes, ma’am.” There was little wind today, so I didn’t need to worry about that. The fire flicked—My nemesis—and I reached into my hip-pack. “A second, please.”

I came out gingerly holding my single arrow . . . which I had oh-so-carefully slid through the tied end of the condom before arriving.

Students gasped. One of them hollered.

Astrid murmured, “Is that . . . what I think it is?”

“What the hell is she planning?” another wondered.

---