Page 17 of A Sky of Storms
“I did not squeal.” I placed a hand on my chest. “But you are right. I am super impressive.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“Prove it,” Kayden said, folding his arms over his broad chest. “Lift that rock over there.”
I looked to where he angled his head. It was about the size of a basketball, but nothing I couldn’t handle. “Piece of fish cake.”
“I don’t think this is really necessary,” Fallon stated, though she sat her perfect ass on the sand anyway, clearly happy to enjoy the show. All she needed was some snacks and she’d be set because I was about to impress her so bad.
It occurred to me that our little game was a bit childish, but then, those were my favourite kind. Back home, I’d compete with my siblings over the most bogus stuff. Who could swim the furthest, how many calamari rings I could balance on my head… you name it, we did it. Being in the trials hadn’t dampened my competitive streak no matter how bogus the contest.
I moved over to the rock and picked it up easily, lifting it over my head to show them just how strong I was. I made sure to really flex my muscles and, judging by the glint in Fallon’s eyes, she appreciated it.
“Too easy, dude,” I said, dropping the rock to the sand.
“No shit.” Kayden picked up another rock, this one the size of a backpack. He did a few biceps reps, throwing me a shit-eating grin. I got the feeling the guy was having too much fun toying with me. I also couldn’t help but notice Fallon’s copper eyes were moving up and down with each movement.
“My turn!” I announced when she bit her lower lip. I scowled, not at all pleased with the way she was eyeing him up. Starfish wasmydate tonight.
“Here,” Kayden said, grinning as he dumped it at my feet. “Be my guest.”
“You joined us, so you are actuallyourguest,” I replied, lifting the rock. My muscles strained a little, but only because they weren’t used to this sort of impromptu weightlifting. They could totally handle it though, even without a warmup. I did a few quick reps, just so Kayden didn’t feel left out, then dropped the rock. “Easy peasy. Are you going to give me a real challenge or what?”
“You asked for it.” Kayden strode over to a rock—no, scratch that, a literal boulder the size of a baby dolphin—and lifted it into the air. Dude barely broke a sweat. He even had the audacity to wink at Starfish.
“Give it here.” I swallowed hard as he strode over and dropped it at my feet. I reached for the rock and lifted it from the sand. I mean, I couldn’t see if Iwaslifting it, but I was pretty sure it was at least a few inches in the air.
“Are you okay, Merman?” Fallon asked, getting to her feet. She stood beside Kayden, her brows scrunched, which was the exact opposite look of what was on Kayden’s face. The dude was grinning like a shark about to eat a slippery seal.
“No problemo,” I managed to get out. My arms and legs were shaking, and not in a good way. Actually, I’m not sure there was a good way. I was out of my depth and in my rush to get back to shallow waters I almost fell flat on my ass.
“Zane—”
“Woo! I’m pumped!” I jumped up and down, shaking out my limbs.
Kayden rolled his eyes. “Are you going to lift it now?”
“I already did,” I replied, tilting my head to the side. Silly rock boy.
“No—”
“I have a better idea before someone gets hurt.” Fallon jumped up, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Race you both to the cafeteria! Last one has to tell Ace they love him!”
With that, she spread her copper wings and shot into the air. She’d definitely get to the cafeteria first with her speedy angel feathers, especially as I had no idea where it was from here. Kayden shoved me hard in the side, knocking me to the sandy ground before bolting away, laughing like a mad man.
He could laugh for now, but the dude would be crying soon. I jumped up and took off into a sprint. He may have gotten a head start but it wouldn’t help him in the long run.Ha! I’m punny without even trying.Kayden may have been strong, but I was as quick as a sailfish. Let him come up with some way to tell Ace he loved him without getting a bionic fist to the face.
Iliftedthe300kgbar without breaking a sweat, my muscles bunching together as I pumped out my reps. Bench presses were my bread and butter, and right now it was just another way for me to intimidate the fuck out of my competition. If they could be even called that.
Most Potentials were only here on mummy and daddy’s money or reputations, but they’d be lucky to last the first trial. The others were just running on borrowed time. Grains of sand for me to squeeze between my fists.
It paid to know one’s opponents though, so I’d had Flynn start investigating any Potentials of note, including their adaptations and habits. Better to know what I was up against to prevent any unwanted surprises from the likes of Twiggy or Victoria Auger.
“Tell me about the loner,” I said to Flynn while he spotted me. Not that I needed it. I could lift boulders without breaking a sweat, so weight training was just muscle memory at this point. The other night proved that. Zane was lucky the pretty little Auger girl ended our competition early.
Flynn and I always had each other’s backs in every aspect of life, so it made sense for us both to be here. At the final trial, we would be true competitors and battle it out once and for all. I was amped for us to put everything we’d trained for to the test—Flynn and I being the final two would be something for the history books. He was the only worthy opponent in this place. When I won and became king he’d be my right-hand man, just with a few more responsibilities and a higher pay.
