Page 46 of Court of Lies and Deceit

They all appear to know what I’m going to say before I even say it, because they nod as soon as I meet their eyes.

“We win the games.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Jocasta tosses her long white hair back behind her shoulder and claps her hands once. “Alrighty, I hope you’re well rested.”

The six of us exchange a glance. Because of our escape attempt and Orion’s punishment last night, we didn’t get more than a few hours of sleep. But it’s probably best not to tell her about that.

“Like I said, we only have a week to train before the first game starts,” she continues. “And since you’re the weakest team here, we’re going to need all the time we can get.”

The massive arena is filled with the distant clang of swords and rush of magic. All six teams have been given separate rooms so that they can train in private without the other teams spying on them. Ours is a decent-sized rectangular room with arched windows along one wall and packed sand on the ground.

“So, first we’ll—” Jocasta begins, but Alistair cuts her off.

“Why did you pick us then?”

She blinks, her pink and gold eyes shifting to him.

“If we’re the weakest team here, why did you pick us?” Alistair clarifies.

“Ah.” A sly smile spreads across her lips. “Well, for one, I picked you because it will draw a huge crowd. It will also make for very interesting betting opportunities.”

He frowns. “Are you saying that people are going to bet on us?”

“No.I’mgoing to bet on you. No one else will likely do so, since, as I said, you’re the weakest team here.”

“Again, then why the hell did you pick us?”

“Because ofyou, you sneaky little manipulator.”

I start in surprise when I notice that she is looking atme. Suddenly feeling everyone’s attention on me, I clear my throat a bit self-consciously. Holding Jocasta’s shrewd stare with my own bewildered eyes, I ask, “Why?”

“Because you have emotion magic.”

“I, uhm… Yes. But most people think that’s a bad thing. You don’t?”

“No.” Her sly smile widens. “Because I have emotion magic too.”

My jaw drops.

She chuckles at the utter shock on my face and then winks. “I told you, kid. It’s about a hundred years too soon for you to try to manipulatemyemotions.”

Kid. I will turn one hundred and sixty-eight in three months. But sure. Kid.

Cocking my head, I study Jocasta intently. Both fae and dragon shifters generally live to be around a thousand years old. I wonder how old she is.

“So I know just how powerful and dangerous emotion magic can be,” she finishes with a confident smirk.

My heart does a backflip in my chest and a sudden overwhelming sense of hope surges through me. I have never met anyone else who has emotion magic, so everything I know about my own powers, I’ve had to figure out myself. But ifJocasta is both older and more skilled than me, she might be able to teach me things about my magic. She might be able to help me become even more powerful. Powerful enough to take on the Icehearts, even without the Unseelie Court’s assistance.

My pulse thrums, and I suddenly feel a world of possibilities open up before me.

“And besides, the crowd wants entertainment,” Jocasta continues while lifting her slim shoulders in a shrug. “And what better way to provide that for them than to give them a team consisting of three Seelie fae and three dragon shifters. That has never happened. Not once since our borders were closed. Andthatwill make for some great betting.” Her eyes glint. “Everyone will be betting against you. Everyone except me. And if I can somehow whip you into shape in time, this will be my ticket to fortune.”

For a few seconds, we all just stare at her in silence while trying to figure out how to feel. In the end, I decide to be grateful for the opportunity. Another person with emotion magic. Someone who wants me to get as strong as possible and will help me train. It’s far better than anything I had ever dared hope for.

Jocasta claps her hands again. “Alright, then. Let’s get to it. I need to see what each of you can do so that I can plan a strategy.” She flicks her wrist at Galen, Lyra, Alistair, and Isera. “You four, go get the practice dummies from the storage room. It’s the door just to the left of this one.” Without waiting to see if they obey, she simply turns to me. “You, I want to see what you can do first.”

---