SHINING KNIGHT
Good morning, Princess.
Here he goes again,calling me Princess. But I suppose if he is my shining knight, the name fits.
SHINING KNIGHT
Let me be the first to congratulate you on receiving your official ranking. I’m not expecting greatness, but at least top five thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine.
Asshole, there are only six thousand students in this Academy.
A chucklewanders out as I type.
Ranked six thousand would put us equal, so I suppose one above you still makes me superior. Do me a favor and leave the dick-ish vibes on your mission. Return a better fay if you have any chance of taking me out.
SHINING KNIGHT
Never.
His single word responses always end with me rolling my eyes and smiling.
Marcel grunts his frustration, and I hold up a finger. The others patiently wait for me to finish, but I sense they too are growing tiresome. “One more and I’m ready.”
Alex suggested it was good luck to receive positive affirmations before facing death. Saying, “It gives a reason to fight.” When asked if he ever received any, a simple head shake made me feel horrible.
I’ll fix this.
GHOST
Good luck today. It’s unfortunate I’m unable to witness it. House Leaders and all. But knowing you, there are daggers stashed everywhere. Including your hair. Ensure you find use for them all, I’m rooting for you.
Blaise’s rendition of a positive affirmation.How’d he know I would use daggers anyway? It’s not like he’s… Right, visions.
LOL thank you. But for the record, there’s no dagger in my hair. And stop using your visions to spy on me. Ghosts don’t–never mind. LMAO. Oh, I’m going to need an explanation later on how my phone ended up under your pillow, and what happened to my other texts, which seem to be deleted.
GHOST
You should have weapons everywhere. INCLUDING. YOUR. HAIR. As for your phone, maybe it had an update. Good luck.
Update my ass.I huff, handing Angie my phone.
“I’m ready.”
She takes it, and I give Marcel a smile. “Finally,” he breathes, suggesting he is tired of my shit. We enter the single door in this entire building, Alex leading the way. Behind him, Marcel, Caspian, myself, and Angie follow.
“Are you ready?” she asks, stepping beside me.
“No, but I can’t think about it right now.” I take the room in.
“Kyra, look at me,” she whispers, stopping us both and allowing everyone else to continue. “You have a part of me inside you, and I’m amazing.” Not a single joking hint lays upon her features. “No matter who you’re facing, remember, We. Do. Not. Fail.”
She walks off before I can issue a response but leaves me with something I need more. Purpose. Considering Blaise’s advice, I feel my palms heat, creating another weapon–smaller, with a metal crescent blade. I guide it between the twists of my halo braid, following its curve and tucking the handle behind my thickened, red strand of hair. Then I follow after her.
She passes Marcel and Caspian who linger near the room’s center. All around us is open space, an arena of sorts, with white marble floors and sky-scraping ceilings. I approach the remaining two from House Earth as Caspian traces his gaze over me, and my cheeks warm.
His red mane pulled back into a high ponytail exposes his fawn skin tone. Tanned skin from bathing in the sun’s rays compliments his pink lips and two-toned eyes. The forest green sweatpants and matching tank forces more of my attention towards him.
“Hey, you,” he says, curling his lips.
