Page 108 of Creatures of Chaos

“He’ll get over me.”But will I ever get over him?

“Maybe, maybe not.”

“I did this for him. Don’t take that away from me, or him,” I plead, and Ensley starts chewing her bottom lip.

“I don’t know. This doesn’t feel right.”

“I know. I’m gutted too. But this is what had to happen to get him out from underneath the council’s control.”

“There has to be another way.”

“We’ve spent weeks trying to find another way and there isn’t. We both know that.”

Ensley leans her head back against the rest and groans. “Why did he have to be named heir?”

“I don’t know,” I say, even though it’s a rhetorical question.

Ensley sighs. “Come on, we’ve got to get you to the ruins. Let’s just get through this last trial and put Chaos behind us, then we can try to figure something out.”

I don’t think there’s any fixing this situation, but I still give her a small smile, and nod anyway.

Ensley’s about to open her door when I ask, “Is he coming?”

She looks back at me, her eyes softening in understanding. “You might have stomped on his heart today, but you still mean the world to him. He wouldn’t miss it.”

I let out a sigh of relief. It’s probably not fair, but even just knowing that he’s going to be here tonight gives me strength.

“All right. I’m ready. Let’s get this competition over with so we can all move on with our lives.”

Thirty-Six

Just like the other trials,the area around the ruins is cloaked so the lights and sounds can’t be heard until we pass through the invisible barrier. The atmosphere once inside the barrier reminds me of the first trial in Deepseat Caverns. Spectators are spread around the space, dancing and laughing. It feels like a party rather than a potential fight for my life.

I get stopped repeatedly on my way to where the other competitors are waiting on the edge of the ruins by creatures who want to wish me luck or let me know they’re rooting for me. It’s a surreal experience. Five weeks ago, when I walked into the caverns, these creatures didn’t know who I was and wouldn’t have given me a second look as I passed. Now I can’t seem to make it twenty feet without someone stopping me. Somehow along the way I earned their respect and admiration, but for what? Making it through a competition? It all seems so hollow and unimportant. I’m still the same magicless creature I was all those weeks ago.

I never deserved the scorn I received from creatures like Jules or the other bullies at Nightlark. But on the same note I don’t deserve all the fuss that’s being made over me now either.

I’m suddenly weary. Weary of this competition. Weary of trying to fix everything in my life. Weary of all the energy I’ve put into trying to become someone other than who I really am.

I’m just me, and it’s about time for me to understand that’s enough.

I can’t stop myself from looking for Becks, but I don’t spot him anywhere, and soon enough I reach the other competitors. There’s a small platform that Titus and the other three competitors I don’t know well are standing on, but Talon is missing.

Before I step up to join the others, Ensley gives me a hug and tells me to be careful. I assure her I will, and then jump up onto the stage with the others. Titus gives me a chin nod, but the other competitors, Damon, Vivian, and Chase, just stare at me with calculated eyes. Despite the revelry going on, none of us are jovial. We know this last trial is going to be a fight, and we’re all trying to mentally prepare for the battle.

I turn away from the spectators and survey the ruins, which are empty. The game master must have something in place to keep creatures from venturing into that area. Plants grow up between the cobblestone of what’s left of the road that used to run down the middle of the settlement. The hollowed-out shells of shops and homes stand on either side. At the end of the road is what used to be a small cathedral. It was made of stone, so it’s the most preserved of all the structures in the old settlement. From here I can see a slight glow emanating from within, but the rest of the ruins are dark and lifeless.

“Hey, Freckles, you ready?”

I turn, ignoring the flash of heat that shoots through my body when I find Talon standing casually next to me with his hands shoved in the pockets of his dark jeans.

I lower my voice. “Ready to run and hide behind you and Titus?”

He smiles, and I hate that it makes my stomach flip. “Good. You are.”

It’s just jitters, I tell myself. But I know it’s a lie. Whether I like it or not, what happened between us today has changed things. He can act as nonchalant as he wants now, but that doesn’t erase the fact that he spoke to me like a kiss between us was not only inevitable but would also mean something.

I shake off thoughts of what happened in the courtyard at lunch to focus on the here and now. Talon, Titus, and I have a loose plan for tonight, but that doesn’t mean a number of things can’t, and won’t, go wrong, especially since I’m at such a disadvantage during this trial. But I’m not really worried about the other competitors, I’m worried about the mysterious game master who seems to be pulling all the strings from behind the scenes. If Talon is right, he’s going to try to kill someone tonight, and if I’m not careful that creature will be me.

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