Page 103 of Alluring Darkness

“Correct,” Professor Lawson replies. “If you see another team on your way to the center, you can either run or engage them in any way you choose.Exceptby lethal force.” Her eyes sharpen as she sweeps a hard gaze over the crowd. “Killing any of your fellow students is strictly prohibited. Understood?”

A low murmur ripples through the crowd.

“I said, is that understood?” she snaps in a commanding voice that she otherwise rarely uses.

“Yes, ma’am,” everyone quickly replies.

“Good.” She nods. “And while force is permitted, do try to keep any serious injuries to a minimum. We still have almost an entire school year to get through after this, and I would hate for you to miss too many of your classes.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Excellent. Any questions?”

A few first-years ask for some more clarifications of the rules, which she answers patiently. Once they’re done, she scans the crowd in silence for a few seconds. Then she smiles.

“Well, then,” she says. “Let this year’s tournament commence. And may the odds be ever in your favor.”

Excited cheers erupt from several sections. It quickly turns into chatter and murmured conversations as the crowd breaks apart and we all start towards the parking lot.

Next to me, Jace claps his hands once. “Let’s go! We’re gonna fucking crush this, guys.”

“Alright, calm down there, Golden,” Rico says, flashing him a smirk while we walk across the grass.

Jace gives him a shove. “Oh fuck you. You can’t tell me you’re not excited for this.”

“Of course he is,” Kaden interrupts. He has his customary psychopath’s smile on his face as he casually spins a knife in his right hand. “So am I. Mikhail Petrov beat me in the sparring ring by cheating last week. I plan to repay him for that now that there are no witnesses.”

“By cheating,” Rico snorts, and rolls his eyes. “Right.”

Kaden cuts him a glare.

“Uhm,” Raina begins before Kaden can stab him. “Look, there’s still time for me to fake an illness.”

I glance down at her. Today, I managed to convince her to actually wear a pair of pants and some sensible shoes. But she still looks thoroughly out of place in this crowd with her soft body and gentle fingers.

“And why would you do that?” I ask.

“Because I will just fuck everything up for you. You heard the professor. The whole team needs to be there to win and, well… Look, if you want someone poisoned without them realizing it, I’m your girl.”

I chuckle. “Don’t we know it.”

A small smile tugs at her lips for a second before she charges on. “But this…” Spreading her arms, she indicates the mass of athletic hitmen around her. “This is not my scene.”

“Oh you’ll be fine, princess.”

“No, I will slow you down. So maybe I should just pretend to be seriously sick and stay here while you—”

“Not gonna happen.”

I drape an arm over her shoulders and pull her flush against my side as we continue walking towards the waiting cars. She tries to pull out of my grip, but I only tighten my hold. An adorable huff escapes her lips.

“Fight it all you want, princess,” I say, smirking down at her. “But you’re mine now, and I’m never going to let you go.”

My heart surges at the expression that blows across her features. At the glitter in her green eyes.

I pull her more firmly against me.

Mine.

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