SHINING KNIGHT
Yes ma’am. Don’t stalk me too much while dreaming.
My eyes roll, but a grin stretching from ear to ear makes the motion less believable. Angie is still checking out the features on B.O.B. when it dawns on me her reason for coming over.
“You said you wanted to talk about something. What’s up?” I ask, placing my phone beside the book.
“Right.” She puts down her new friend. “I’m glad Alex informedyou about your official ranking match tomorrow, but there’s more to it. Like all ranking matches, you can die.”
“What?” I frown as my voice pitches high with a sudden knot of dread building around my chest.Why is this allowed?But like always, she delivers bad news like it’s pleasant.
“Yep. I don’t know who you’re going against, but be careful, Kyra. I know you’re against killing. Even so, you should be in the mindset of doing it. Your opponent won’t hold their punches. They’ll come at you with everything.”
“Shit, Angie.” My mind begins spiraling and pondering if they’ll actually let me die.Does Alex plan on discussing this in the morning?
“Don’t worry, I know you’re more than ready for it.”At least one of us thinks so.“Between your lectures, Ethan, Alex, and myself, you’ve become stronger and are able to wield your magic better than I could during my first year.”
“Really?”
“No, but did it make you feel better?” she asks, unaware that her response is doing the complete opposite.
“No, Angie, lying about how good I am, does not make me feel better.” *Sigh*
“Interesting. Mortals lie all the time and celebrate doing so. Regardless, you’re amazing. As long as you walk in there ready to slay your opponent, I have no worries, and neither should you. After all, every House Leader feels the same.”
“Speaking of, who’s the leader of House Life? I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure of meeting them.” I change topics, not wanting to think about tomorrow.
She leans back on her arms but remains silent, smiling whilst kicking her feet. “Am I guessing?” I ask on a released breath, and her brows raise.I’m guessing.As I go through those I’m aware are in House Life, she hops to her feet and leans forward.
“Me.”
Taken aback, I scoff as my frown meets her wide smile. Iquestion if she is being honest or lying again; but in every encounter I’ve seen and heard about, Angie has beenthat girl.
Russ lost against her, plus there was the incident back at Haven’s Hole; she instructed our group during Life and Death training; somewhere I heard she lectures other students–a rumor, but now thinking about it, I know only top-ranking students teach. Not to mention, no one else from House Life acts as their leader. Holy shit, she is telling the truth.
“How, I mean when did this happen? I was under the impression Yasmine–”
“Nope, she’s my second. But Horus is making a fast climb. I’ve been the leader since our break, before starting the new semester. Our last leader, Hemera, ascended and became the Goddess of Daylight. She’s partially the reason why our days are longer. Her and her mother, Nyx, the Goddess of Night, have some form of deal that allows Hemera to start our mornings earlier. Nyx felt when night fell us fays would welcome it with open arms.” She shrugs.
“I’ve heard the name, Nyx, before.” I ponder then say. “So, this Hemera Goddess is why I’m tired all the damn time? Thanks.”
“Yes and no. Our days have always been longer than mortals; it’s more of an earlier start than before. About two hours or so. Which, in mortal time, is four hours.” Angie shrugs again.
“All I’m hearing is she’s to blame,” I huff but continue taking mental notes. This Goddess is now on my soft list of annoyances. “Speaking of your Gods, since they are clearly real, why are students hell bent on becoming one?”
“Simple, either to live forever and be worshiped, or for the betterment of their lands and loved ones. But not everyone wishes for Godhood. Yasmine is dedicated to becoming Queen.”
“Interesting. I was under the impression there is a lineage to such titles.”
“Mortals, yes; fays, no. Sure, you can be born into it–” Angie smirks, and I’m accustomed to whatthatparticular smile means. “Oryou can kill the Queen and boom…you’re in charge. Funny how that works.” Yep, I knew it.
“Why am I not surprised? Everyone here kills like it’s a walk in the park. Do you plan to become a Goddess, because I’d worship you.” I sweeten my voice at the end.
“Walking in parks, as you know, can and will result in sudden death, but as for me, I have plans.”
My leer burns a pretend hole through her skull, and I envision flames spewing from the top. “Too soon, Angie. Too soon.” But she shrugs it off, checking her phone as if it’s more important.
“One last thing before I go and test out B.O.B.–”
