Page 70 of Rebirth Of Order
He laughs in a song-like cadence then turns away from me. “Touché.” Looking out into the field, he concedes, “My ranking, as it stands, is one thousand one-hundred and one.”
“Does that mean you lost your last match? The rule lady deducted one-hundred points from David. I’m assuming everyone loses this many ranking points.”
“Very perceptive, Kyra.” He says my name like it’s pleasure rolling off his tongue. I don’t know how to feel about that. “Yes, I lost my last challenge. I’ll get her next week.”
“So, this was a House challenge then?”
“Correct again.” My brows clench in question of who. For the second time, his demeanor becomes serious. “Angie,” he answers, picking up my expression.
“What–When–How–Why?”
He chuckles. “Long story short, a friend of mine was stuck on an ice mountain with a dildo in his ass and needed the infirmary for a week. When I found him passed out, her name was written on the object. ‘Property of Angie.’ The rest is history.” He returns to looking over the other students.
It takes every God known to man and fay, not to explode into laughter. My insides are on fire trying to contain it. Slapping a hand over my mouth and blinking back the forming tears, I stutter, “T-that’s.”
Horus flashes a smile. “I know that shits fucked up. Once I returned, I offered her a challenge. Angie concealed what happened, only saying that it wasn’t her fault. But like I said, I’ll get her next week.”
After a few deep breaths, I force it down. “Dude, I think you should let this one go. Seriously.” I chuckle–it’s better than full on laughing.
“I suppose you’re right.” He shrugs. “Anyway, would you like to proceed on, or stay here and mingle?”
“Tempting, but I at least need to go to my next lecture. Then maybe come back. There’s so much of this Academy I have yet to see.” I proceed on and hear something about “tour guide,” and I’m willing to bet he flashes those sparkling teeth again.
It takes about fifteen minutes to get from the Green Wing, across the field, and over to the White Wing. Horus points out everything from the Dean’s building to different Houses, and so forth. This place is too damn big. There must be a better way of getting around, because walking is not it. We approach another door as a group of students bursts through them.
“Girl yeah, that bitch thought she won. I’m forbidden from saying anything more, but the next time I see her, she’s dead,” Gina says before realizing I’m standing right here.
Paige, however, notices almost immediately, scowling between Horus and me. “Uhh Gina,” she says, pointing my way. “Russ, what are you doing with…her?” Paige questions.
I face Horus with my brows raised high. Not judging but kind of. He snorts, shaking his head in response to our nonverbal exchange, and Paige scoffs. The other two females tagging along with thing one and thing two begin whispering, asking Gina if I’m who she referred to.
“By the Gods, they’ve granted me a blessing. Look who it is, Little Miss I-need-help,” Gina mocks as her merry group of bitches snicker.
“You’ve gotten your tooth fixed,” I gibe, standing my ground. “It would be a shame for me to knock it out again.” Horus bursts out beside me, not masking his laughter at all.
“Funny bitch. Look everyone, the mortal has jokes,” she yells with sass. “Try that again and see what happens.”
“No one’s running. You’re the one talking.” I clench my fists. It’s time I get some practice with my magic. What better time than now.
Gina’s cheering squad urges her on, enticing her to challenge mefor ranking points. “Don’t run and tell after I kick your ass.” She flicks a wrist, summoning the same vines from before.
“Ready when you are.” Taking up a fighting pose, I keep my expression blank. This could either go extremely right, or horribly wrong. But at least she can’t kill me.
Her friends step back along with Horus, and she skulks forward. “Official Rank–”
“Move!” That one-word shuts Gina up entirely, causing everyone behind her to stumble out of Ethan’s way as he knocks Gina to her knees.
The air around me becomes dry and heavy. His steps are evenly paced as he closes the distance. “You.” Ethan points at me. “You’re late, and I don’t tolerate tardiness.”
Gina springs to her feet, protesting his interruption to our match and how I deserve what’s coming. Yelling other obscenities causes Ethan to address her. “If it’s a challenge you’re after, perhaps you’d like a go at me.” Nothing in his tone remotely says that’s a good idea.
“Of course not. Why would I challenge my future–” Ethan is on her in an instant.Shit, he’s fast.
“By all means, finish your sentence.” His shadow swallows her whole, and my stare cuts to Horus. We both give a ‘WTF’ look then resume watching. This is the second time someone has put her in her place. Gina bows, and Ethan turns his back, prowling my way. “Let’s go,” he orders.
“I’m not going anywhere with–” He grabs my arm firmly with a hint of gentleness, flashing those golden red eyes. I’m caught in the moment of shock as he summons a sigil beneath us, and we both vanish.
Chapter 17
