Page 77 of A Sea of Secrets
“Could all Potentials please head to the foyer where you will be debriefed regarding the rest of the evening. As for our valued guests, please continue to enjoy the festivities of the night. Thank you.”
I glanced down at Lou as my insides performed all kinds of synchronised swimming tricks. This was not good. “We need to think of a diversion.”
“Okay,” she replied as we were ushered towards the back of the auditorium with the other Potentials. “Shit, ummm…”
Think Zane, think.
“Hey!” I shouted, shoving the Potential closest to me as we entered the foyer. “Pincers to yourself, you cheeky crab.”
One of the dude’s eyebrows shot into his hairline as he righted himself, rolling his shoulders in his black suit. “What are you on about, dickhead? Do you wanna start something?”
“Me?” I placed a hand on my chest. He stormed towards me, looking like a sunburnt penguin. “You’re the one with the wandering fingers.”
“Zane,” Lou warned beside me.
I simply sent her a wink. I knew what I was doing. Yeah, it wasn't my best idea, and it could get me hurt if I wasn’t smart about it, but my pod was on the line.
“Shut the fuck up,” the dude hissed, spitting on my face in the process. Now that he was so close, I was pretty sure he had been one of Victoria’s lackeys once upon a time. Oh well, time for this volcano to explode.
“Look, I’m just telling you what he said,” I replied, pointing at the dude to my right. “He was telling everyone you’re handsy.”
Victoria’s lackey looked at the dude in question and I let my magic in, firing up that anger. “You've been talking shit about me?” he accused.
“I don’t even know you,” the other dude insisted with his hands in the air. “Ocean boy is making shit up.”
I shook my head, my shells clinking with the movement. “I’m not.”
Victoria’s lackey narrowed his gaze at me, and I took the opportunity to make him soothed and calm like there was no way I could have been the one pissing him off so badly. They couldn’t have known that I had full access to my powers so there was no chance of shielding from me. I felt the moment it worked. The dude glanced between us, looking unsure, but then Lou saved the day, a true dolphin of the pod.
“He told me the same thing!” she exclaimed.
I grinned. Teamwork made the dream work.
“He was telling everyone who’d listen,” she continued.
“Fuck this,” Victoria’s lackey growled, throwing a fist. It connected with the other dude’s jaw and shoved him into Potentials nearby. A couple of people screamed as a dress was torn, and the brawl took on a life of its own.
“Nice work,” Lou said beside me as we watched the two dudes roll around on the polished floorboards. The rest of us formed a circle around them, spectating as blood dripped from Victoria’s lackey’s nose whilst the other dude’s jaw was purpling up nicely.
I couldn’t have planned it better if I tried. “Thanks.” I glanced at the door, hoping to see the others walk through. “Hopefully this gives them enough time.”
“I’m not sure it will, unfortunately.” She sighed. “Look, the Masters are coming.”
Indeed they were, but that wouldn’t stop my plan. We needed more time. “Never fear, Zane is here. I’ve got it covered.”
Master Nolan and Master Luna rushed over, shouting at the two dudes to stop. Unfortunately for them, I had no intention of allowing them to do so. Without thinking, I threw a punch atNolan, then hid behind one of the guy’s fighting and shoved him towards Master Nolan. The Master took one look at him before cracking a fist over his jaw.
Honestly, it couldn’t have worked out better. Now, there were two fights happening and a crowd full of Potentials urging them all on.
It was beautiful.
I caught Lou chuckling beside me when Nolan’s nose crunched beneath a fist. For someone who looked so innocent, she sure loved a violent show.
“That’s enough!” Master Luna boomed, her magic luring the vines from the walls. They launched at Master Nolan and the two dudes, tearing them apart and shoving them into separate corners like naughty schoolchildren. “Everyone is to return to their rooms where a jumpsuit will be waiting for you. Change and head to the Verdant Plateau arena where you will be given further instruction. Anyone who takes longer than twenty minutes will forfeit and no longer be eligible to win the crown. Go.”
“Oh, bugger,” Lou cried, racing for the door with the other Potentials eager to avoid elimination. “Kendra, where are you?”
Where was she indeed? And where was Starfish and the rest of my pod?
