Page 104 of The Art of Exiley

Right as we approach impact, I throw my lance, trying to vaguely aim it at Bram’s shield. Then I lean back into my board and leap up onto the fence that divides us. The bottom of my board squeals against the metal of the rail—which has no maglev tech—and I glide like that, completely out of range of Bram’s hit, riding the rail to the end of the pit. Then, feeling pretty good about myself, I showboat a little and do a kickflip on my way down.

The crowd is going absolutely bonkers.

The lodge has to convene to determine whether my moves were legal, but they rule that since I was continuously moving forward, it counts as a fair match. And apparently, when I tossed my lance, it did, just barely, touch Bram’s shield, so they’re counting it as a hit.

With two hits each, the game is a draw.

From the soup of noise in the stands, I hear my name rise from the crowd. I look over, and my cheeks ache from my smile when I see a large banner that says, GO, ADA, GO! It’s so very… provincial. Georgie must have made it. Despite being mad at me about Rafe, she’s cheering me on. And she’s only one of the people holding the sign aloft, along with Mbali, a heavily pregnant Xander, and Kaylie. They’re all cheering for me, wearing Alchemist tokens and waving and blowing kisses.

Suddenly the knowledge that I’m leaving tomorrow hits me like a direct lance strike.

These people have become my family here. How can I choose one family over the other?

Will I have to?

Michael’s also there, sitting next to Kaylie, with a green token to cheer me on. But he’s not looking at me. He’s seething in the direction of the Bioscience team. Is he jealous Rafe and I are wearing each other’s favors? Or is it Bram he’s glaring at for taking reckless aim at my head? It’s hard to tell because Rafe and Bram are standing together at the other end of the pit.

Bram isn’t getting the hugging and high-fiving support that I am from the Alchemists. In fact, Rafe is yelling at him and practically pushing him toward their team’s tent. If screaming at his teammates when they don’t win is his style, I can’t imagine he was a very good captain for his last team.

I head toward the team tents, but instead of going into mine, I follow the boys into the Bio tent.

When I enter, Rafe is still yelling, but when I hear what he’s saying, I hang back out of sight to listen.

“You could have seriously injured her. What were you thinking?”

“It’s a dangerous game, Vanguard. That’s the whole point.”

“Not the kind of dangerous where you purposely try to inflict injury. First the power strike and then a headshot—are you mad? You’re lucky the lodge didn’t call it a foul.”

“Are you being serious right now? We’ve played on the same team for three years. Something like this has never bothered you before.”

“We’re not in Avant anymore. You know that at Genesis they have less tolerance for skirting the rules. This kind of play could get our entire team disqualified.”

“No, it won’t. You’re just angry because I bruised your untalented, weed girlfrie—”

Bram doesn’t even have the words out before Rafe has him by the throat, pressed up against a post. “Don’t you ever speak that way about her again.”

He really is very impressive at this possessive boyfriend act. He looks seriously angry. But it’s actually scaring me a bit. I don’t like violence, especially not on my behalf.

I rush over and put my hand on his arm. “Leave it. He’s not worth it.”

“Apologize to her.” Rafe shakes Bram forcefully.

Bram looks at me, more afraid than remorseful. “I’m so sorry,” he says.

Rafe lets him go, and Bram scurries off like a pathetic mouse.

Rafe is still fuming.

“Calm down,” I say. “He didn’t actually hurt me. See, I’m totally fine.” I spread my arms and wiggle my fingers.

“You may be unharmed, but you continue to accept disrespect far too easily.”

“You’re actually upset about what he said? Why? You say worse to me all the time.”

Rafe steps into my space, staring daggers into my eyes. “Let’s get something straight, Little Weed. If all of them”—he points toward the exit of the tent in the direction of the crowd but doesn’t tear his gaze from mine—“have to think that we’re together”—he puts his hands on my shoulders and steps even closer—“thenno onecan insult you but me.”

Wow. My heart is beating really fast right now. I bite down on my lower lip, and Rafe grunts in a way that sounds suspiciously like a growl.

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