Page 47 of Jinxed

It’s almost a relief when classes are over on Monday, and I stroll to the end of Companioneers Crescent, following the directions sent to me by Tobias. Behind the beautiful houses, there’s a large park, with a baseball diamond in one corner, basketball and tennis courts in the other, and in the centre, a large, floodlit hockey rink – surrounded by boards and red-painted wire cagingthat stretches up into the sky. I spot Kai’s bright orange puffer jacket right in the centre of the rink, with the rest of Team Tobias hanging around the boards.

Ashley sees me first, and nudges Tobias’s shoulder. I shrink down into my powder-blue winter coat, the cold air making the end of my nose tingle. There’s no ice on the rink yet – there’s still a couple more weeks until it will be coldenough for City to flood the rinks and start up the artificial cooling systems to maintain the ice – but I can see how it’s the perfect place to practise in arena-like conditions. Tobias is a smart captain. Especially as we know that Gemma’s team have access to the best conditions of all – thanks to Carter.

‘Hi, Lacey!’ Tobias waves me over.

I can’t help the goofy grin that plasters itself onmy face. When I get to the boards, I lean over the edge – not wanting to climb on to the rink while Kai and River are battling. I do hold up the yellow cardboard box of doughnut holes that I’ve brought over – and Ashley claps her mittened hands together in delight. Treats make everyone happy, and by now I know all their favourite flavours.

Oka is facing off against Lizard, the husky running circlesaround the oversized frog. They’re not properly battling of course – neither one is causing any damage to the other – but I can see them running through drills that test how quickly they can respond and move.

‘Kai, can you see if you can practise that crawl and strike move – we’re going to need to confuse the boar if we have any chance of taking him down.’

‘You got it, boss,’ says Kai. He’sstanding within a spray-painted circle, so he’s also getting practice sending distance commands. He has to be able to tell Oka exactly what he wants him to do, as he passes within range. He holds his hand up to the leash. Even though he doesn’ttechnicallyneed to be holding the leash in order to send commands, having that physical connection seems to help the battlers.

Kai’s square jaw tightensand his eyebrows knit together in concentration. It takes a couple of seconds – maybe a couple of seconds too long – but Oka springs into action, using his powerful legs to propel himself to the side of the arena. Then, in a move I haven’t seen before – but which I could see would work extremely well on the slick-sided walls of the Profectus arena – Lizard leaps up on to the boards and crawlsat ninety degrees to the floor in evasive action. Still, Oka picks up momentum as he races around the side, before – on Kai’s command – he springs forward and lands on Lizard’s back.

Or he would do – if we were in the arena. As it happens, Oka leaps over Lizard, leaving neither with any sort of damage.

Ashley, Tobias and I burst into applause. ‘Great work, guys. I think we can take a break fora bit,’ says Tobias.

‘I brought snacks,’ I say.

‘I knew there was a reason I liked you!’ says River, laughing and digging into the open box of doughnuts and grabbing all the chocolate ones.

Kai is a bit more reserved, holding back.

‘No sugar for you?’ I ask him.

‘I don’t eat that junk,’ he says.

Tobias shoves his shoulder. ‘Lighten up, protein dude.’

‘Good luck lightening up eatingthatkind of thing.’

I shrug at Tobias, trying to show him it’s no big deal. After all, it’s Kai and River in the arena next – with Ashley as back-up. I think Kai is nervous.

I decide to change the subject. ‘Hey, I was wondering... do any of you guys know much about coding?’

Tobias looks at Kai, who shrugs. ‘I almost flunked that class.’

‘I know a bit,’ says River. ‘But I’m more of a designgeek.’

‘Don’t look at me,’ says Ashley, throwing her hands up in the air. ‘I’m into the electronics side of things.’

‘There’s a strong coding department at Profectus, but coders don’t normally get selected for the Baku Battle teams,’ explains Tobias. ‘We’re not allowed to mess with the code of our bakus during or before a battle, so what’s the point? Other than what we get taught in class, I’mnot that strong. Do you need help with something?’

I shake my head. ‘Don’t worry. I’ll figure it out.’

Sorry, Jinx,I think to him.I’ll figure out another way to get a look at your code, don’t worry.

Aero outstretches his wings, and the rest of the team snaps to attention. I haven’t been paying attention to what Tobias’s baku has been doing, but when I look back at the rink, there are obstaclesset up and markings in blue paint on the floor. The bakus all move into various positions around the outer edge of the rink. They all seem to run so in sync, even though they’ve only been doing these training sessions for the past couple of months. Watching them is awe-inspiring – and almost makes me forget how cold I am.

‘Ashley, you’re up,’ Tobias says. Ashley nods, her lips pulled taut intoa thin line, and she and Jupiter step on to the ice rink. There are blue lines painted on the concrete floor – markings, I realize, that are a specific choreography for a battle. It’s like a drill, or an obstacle course. Ashley needs to run through it, proving that she and Jupiter have been practising their moves so they can perform them in battle as if they are second nature.

‘I’ve added ina few different things this time, Ashley,’ Tobias says. ‘Make sure you’re ready.’ She nods, and a bead of sweat appears on her brow. Even though it’s just a training run, I can tell she’s traumatized by her last encounter in the arena. She needs to overcome that trauma if she’s going to have any hope in the second round. She attempts it the first time, but struggles on the second move, her baku collidingwith one of the high obstacles. She’s clearly frustrated, banging her fist against the palm of her hand, but she goes back to the beginning with Jupiter.

The atmosphere is tense – until suddenly there’s a blast of music. It’s the theme song from the movieRocky. It’s coming from the loudspeakers set up all around the arena. I look around and see Jinx coming out of a small concrete building –that must be where the set-up for the speakers is kept.

Tobias follows my gaze and then turns to me, his jaw almost on the floor. ‘What’s going on? How are you doing that? We haven’t been able to get those speakers to work in years,’ Tobias asks me.

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