Page 77 of Into the Isle

My head bobbed left to right. “You two keeping secrets from me?”

Neither of them said a thing.

“How do you two know each other, if you’re an initiate, Magnus?”

“You don’t need to know that,” Magnus replied.

Frustration boiled inside me. Randi scored a hit on Rolf, but then got put on her ass by the big man getting vexed, looping her arm over his shoulder, and tossing her across the dirt.

Arne and I winced as Randi rolled on the ground and groaned.

“Ouch,” Arne said, cringing. “Shame you didn’t want to bet against me.” He walked away with a smile, to congratulate his village-kin.

“You have history with Arne outside the academy?” I ventured, now that Magnus and I were alone.

Randi went to her knees, throwing down her wooden sword. “Dammit.”

At least she wasn’t hurt. Just a bit dirty from rolling around. Rolf had gone easy on her, until he’d been unable to control himself.

Magnus looked at me with that blank face. “Just because we’re part of the same initiate trio doesn’t mean we’re friends, Ravinica.”

It was an odd, disappointing thing for him to say. With my forehead creasing with wrinkles, I nodded. Rather than showing my disappointment, I hid it, straightening my shoulders. “Understood, Magnus.”

“Maybe in time,” he said. “I don’t know you well enough to be flapping my lips—”

“I said I understand.”

With a nod, he turned to walk away. I was still curious to know more about him, even if he was dismissive. He seemed dismissive of everyone. I’ll make it a mission to penetrate that armor and get the answers I want.

Randi walked up, dusting herself off. She threw her arms out wide. “You see that shit? He threw me over his shoulder like a ragdoll!”

I smiled at her and draped an arm over her neck. “He’s much bigger than you, Ran.”

“Yeah, which is why I need you to teach me.”

At that moment, Grim walked toward us. I nudged my chin at him. “Maybe he can teach you. We’re peers, he’s our tutor. Perhaps one big man can tell you how to bring down another big man.”

Randi said, “I like that idea.”

Grim stopped short of us, crossing his arms. He said nothing, standing there awkwardly. At least the hulking giant was nice to look at. After an uncomfortably long wait, he said to Randi, “You’re quick but unfocused.”

“Can you blame me?” Randi batted her lashes at him.

Grim frowned. “I meant in the fight.”

“I know, mountain man. Train me?”

“That’s my job. Evidently.”

His eyes landed on me. A flush of warmth spread through my limbs at his scrutinizing gaze. I recalled that startling—but not unpleasant—moment when I stared at him last night in all his naked glory.

I staved off the heat and walked away from Randi with Grim. “We need to talk.”

“Tonight during our walk?”

“Promise not to eat me?”

He lurched. Surprise dashed across his face, and I felt like a total asshole when I saw the blip of hurt in his amber eyes. The way they crinkled at the corners, wincing.

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