Page 83 of The Tribes of Magic
Dutch shot him an icy glower.
“Besides, he’s way off base. The General is not going to punish him for what I say.”
I snorted. “Uh, have you been paying any attentionat allto the General these past few weeks?”
“Yes. When someone misbehaves, the General punishes their teammates. If the General’s got beef with me, he won’t punish him or you or Nevada. He’ll punish me and my charming teammates.”
Dante’s gaze slid across the dining hall to Team Victory. Rhett and Wayne were in the middle of a pushup contest.Meanwhile, Zoe and Sara stood on their backs, trying to stay balanced. That did not look easy. The boys were doing the pushups so fast, staying on them must have felt like trying to sit on one of the bull-riding machines the Metamorphs had in their castle. I’d passed it the other day after training with Kato.
When I’d asked Kato why it was there, he’d replied, “Because it’s safer than letting the Metamorphs throw each other around their castle.”
And that just said it all, didn’t it? Metamorphs were kind of crazy.
Bronte looked at Dutch. “He’s right, you know. If the General is angling for some collateral damage, he won’t punish us for hearing Dante. He’ll punish Team Victory for being his teammates.”
“I don’t think he’ll punish any of you guys, actually, Dante. He’s too busy rewarding you for Rhett framing Bronte.”
Bronte’s expression soured. She was obviously still sore about that too.
Eris strolled up to our table and sat down. “Good news.”
“The General is retiring and throwing a big goodbye party for us, full of cake, balloons, and circus performances?” I smirked at her.
“You’re partially right.”
“About the General’s retirement?” I said hopefully.
“About the circus performances. The Government managed to bookPortia and the Circus of Dreams. This is a big deal. It marks the first time Portia’s show has come to Gaia. All the Knights and Apprentices are invited to the dinner and show, which will take place at the conference center on Wednesday evening.”
“Wednesday evening… but that’s in only two days!”
“I hope you have a nice dress.” Eris winked at me, then left.
The news spread like wildfire across the dining hall. Soon,Portia and the Circus of Dreamswas all anyone was talking about. The show. The costumes. The music. The food. And, most important of all to a room full of teenagers, who would be asking out whom to go to the show.
I yawned, standing up. “I think I’ll go home and turn in for the night.”
“Already? But it’s so early.”
“Let her go, Nevada. She’s probably heading off for a romantic evening stroll with one or both of her boyfriends.” Dante winked at me. “So how does that work anyway, Sav? Do they throw magic at each other for a while until one emerges victorious, winning the honor of escorting you home? Or do they do something more civilized—but way less fun—like roll a die? And just so you know, I’mtotallynot judging here. Except to say that if they’re going to blow stuff up, can I come and watch?”
I rolled my eyes at him. “Good night, everyone. See you tomorrow.”
CHAPTER 6
GAIA
I’d plan to head home, just like I told my friends, but I ran into Kato just outside the dining hall.
“Seven. I was just about to head inside to find you. Do you have a moment to talk?”
“Sure. What’s up?”
His blue diamond gaze swept down the hallway to his left, then to his right. There were people in both. “Not here. Follow me.”
Kato turned and started walking. I followed him down many long hallways until we came to the base of the Spiral Tower. I’d studied the Castle’s blueprints, so I knew all the key points of interest, inside and out. The Spiral Tower was situated along the hallway that joined the Sorcerers’ castle and the Elves’ castle. I looked up the winding staircase. The windows were stained glass, and the handrails were bright gold.
“This is the Spiral Tower. Your tower,” I said.
