Page 75 of Kingmakers, Year One

She’s silent for a moment. Then says, “I’ll come.”

“Good.” I grin. “I knowAreswill be there. That Irish girl invited you particularly.”

He smiles, shaking his head. “She was just being friendly.”

“Oh yeah…” I snort. “I think she wants to beveryfriendly with you.”

Anna’s quiet on the walk back up to the school. Ares is talking about our upcoming Security Systems exam.

“I thought it was going to be security in general, but it’s almost all electronics and computer systems,” he says glumly.

“You’ll pass,” I say. “You’re in the library more than both of us combined.”

“Because I have to be,” Ares sighs. “I don’t just read something once and remember it forever like you two.”

“Just Leo,” Anna says. “I actually study.”

“I study, too.” I’m wounded.

Anna snorts. “For five minutes before the test.”

“That counts.”

As we head through the heavy stone gates onto campus, I hear students congregating in the commons—excited whispers and groans of irritation.

Before I can even get close to the message board to see what’s been posted, a heavy hand claps me on the shoulder.

“Congratulations.” Hedeon Gray grimaces like it hurts him to say it.

“For what?”

“They posted the Captains.”

I rush forward, needing to see with my own eyes if Hedeon told the truth. Sure enough, a paper has been pinned to the board, bearing four names in fresh blue ink.

Team Captains:

Freshmen: Leo Gallo

Sophomores: Kasper Markaj

Juniors: Calvin Caccia

Seniors: Pippa Portnoy

“You got it,” Anna says with real pleasure.

I pretend nonchalance. “Of course I did.”

In truth, I wasn’t that certain, and seeing my name written down sets me on fire.

I wanted that Captainship, I really fucking wanted it.

And obviously I thought I was the one for the job, but there was pretty tough competition. I didn’t have the highest grades in our year, so it must have come down to practical performance or the student vote.

“Nice.” Ares bumps my fist. “I really didn’t want it to be some asshole like Bram.”

I just didn’t want it to be Dean. He was my biggest competition.

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