Page 30 of Blood & Betrayals

“I’m pretty sure his name is Hector. You should probably get his name down before you go and blindly support him to piss off the captain of our infinity slam team. Think the school will be pissed if we make Connor so angry that we lose?”

“Maybe. Who cares? It’s just a game.” I slide my feet into my sneakers and tie them up. My stomach tightens around the knot that has been growing since lunch. I’m not sure why I’m so eager to do this. Maybe it’s in the hopes of pushing the devilishly handsome angel away, or maybe it’s because of how he makes me feel and my desperate need to run away from him.

“Sum?” Alice pulls me from my thoughts, and I glance at her. “Ready?”

I nod and take one more look in the mirror, running my fingers through my hair before pushing to my feet.

Rae Field is just behind the health center and only around a ten-minute walk from Kelpie. Yet if looks could kill, Alice and I would have been incinerated not four feet from the dormitory doors. The sour looks and whispers continue as we walk toward the stadium.

The campus is awash in black and silver, with students of all years and species heading to the field to support our team. Other than us, there is not one speck of dark green in the sea of excited people. Talk about a home court advantage. Everyone is eager for the first game of the year. Many girls are sportingMORNINGSTARacross their cheeks or bare stomachs, and many students are carrying banners and signs.

“Connor, the star of my morning,” Alice reads out loud. “These people are thirsty.”

My lips twitch. “We should have brought one for Harold. We did not come prepared.”

“I think our outfits will make enough of a statement.” Alice laughs. “And his name is Hector.”

When we arrive, the bleachers are already filling up. I hear someone calling my name, his voice just barely audible over the roar of the crowd and the music blasting from the speakers. I grab Alice’s hand and wave at Luke before pushing and dartingthrough the throngs of people, making our way to the front where the youngest Morningstar sits.

Luke smiles warmly and leans in when we make it to his side. “Con asked me to save you guys two seats at the front.” He notices what we are wearing, and he pales, his smile slipping. “Oh, no…”

I throw my arm over his shoulders. “It’s fine, Luke!” I use my hand to cup my mouth, trying to amplify my voice over the others. “Go, Harold!”

Alice nudges me. “Hector, moron.”

“I mean, Hector!” I shout into the void of noise. Alice clutches her stomach as she cackles.

“Not good. Not good,” Luke mutters, grimacing. He pales more when the announcer’s voice rises above the rest.

“Are you ready, Avalon?” The announcer’s voice rises above the rest, echoing around the field. Luke pales even more as everyone erupts into a cheer that almost ruptures my eardrums. “I said, Are. You. Ready. Avalon?!” The crowd gets even louder, screaming and chanting. “Please, welcome to the field, your team, the Avalon Knights!”

Connor leads his team onto the field. His muscular body looks even bigger thanks to the various guards used to protect his body from serious injuries during the game. The black jersey looks like it’s been melted to his skin. The silver Avalon logo on the front flickers in the light, appearing like molten metal as he moves. He is carrying his helmet under his arm and has what looks like war paint on his cheeks.

“You’re practically drooling,” Alice says, nudging me again.

“I am not.” I give her a black look, though I have to make a conscious effort to keep my face neutral.

The rest of the team filters out behind him, and I notice that many players have halos on their wrists, not just the Morningstar brothers. Other species are playing, but angels areby far the majority. The cheerleaders spread out in the center of the pitch and start shaking their pom poms.

“They are the knights! They are the knights! Come to destroy and show their might!” I glance at Alice, about to roll my eyes, but see that hers are already nearly embedded in the back of her head.

“They are the knights! They dominate! Winning isn’t luck! It’s their fate!” The cheerleaders jump and dance, doing handstands and backflips. Sure, it’s impressive, but they’re just so… peppy. I can’t stand it.

The team starts their warmups, running around the field and stretching out.

“And here comes the competition. Please give a big Avalon welcome to… the Irachmoor Ravens!” the announcer yells, and the Avalon cheerleaders move to the side, glaring at the other team and their cheerleaders.

Harold leads the other team out, and the vibe in the stadium changes. People all around boo and hiss, and that angry attention extends to Alice and me.

The Ravens cheer squad starts their routine but they can barely be heard over the roaring crowd. The noise level dies down as both teams head for the middle of the field. Zach, his helmet marked with wings on either side of his face like the rest of his team, looks toward us. I can see his teeth flash in a snarl. He nudges Rafe, who’s lined up next to him on the field. Rafe holds back a frown as he nudges Connor. Rafe nods toward us when Connor looks back at him. Connor’s eyes lock with mine, but his bright smile fades the moment he realizes what I’m wearing. His entire body tenses when I blow him a kiss and wink at him.

Connor looks away just as the ball is launched into the air. He grabs Rafe and tosses him after it. Midair, Rafe shoves a member of the other team out of the way and grabs the ball. He nodsat Zane, who charges down the field. Rafe throws it to him, but Zane is tackled by one of the Ravens. Luckily, Zach is right on his tail and catches it. Zane hits the ground so hard it trembles. Players from both sides collide, all trying to get the ball. Zach passes it, and Connor almost misses catching it because he’s glaring at me. The moment it hits his hands, a huge opponent slams into Connor, taking him to the ground.

“Get your head in the game, Morningstar!” the coach calls. The teams reset, and I can tell that Connor is trying to shake it off and focus on the game. The Ravens score a point, and Zach curses loudly enough that it’s heard across the stadium. Harold winks at me, noticing my jersey. I give him a little wave right before Connor slams into him. They both fall to the ground, and the referee blows his whistle, pointing a little yellow card at Connor. Rafe jogs to Connor, assumingly to calm him down, but Connor shakes his head and beckons the coach over.

The coach holds his hands up in the shape of a T, and a time-out is called. I’m no expert, but I’m pretty sure this is an odd time to call a time-out. Connor takes off his helmet and locks eyes with me, walking toward the edge of the field with Rafe at his side.

Oh, shit. They are heading for the bleachers, and their target is clear.

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