Page 11 of A Taste of Torment
I frown. “How can you do that?”
“Trust me.” He smiles.
I pause but then finally nod. I’ll accept his help because he’s right. I need it. “But you realize that when I find out who did this, I’m going to kill them. No matter who it is—”
“Yes,” he agrees. “I will welcome their death.”
5
Vulnerability is the WORST
The moment Jarronreenters the cafeteria with his long purposeful strides, Lola and Janet rush forward. They cling to me like we’d all barely survived a traumatic experience, and they guide me out the back doors.
The chill wind rushing over my skin is a shock at first, then I welcome the cool breeze on my warm cheeks. A few miles behind us are green rolling mountains. The sun is high over clear blue skies.
Lola buzzes ahead toward the patch of trees behind an open field. To the left is a massive arena that’s like a mix between a college football stadium and the colosseum. It’s made of old stone, with columns and torches, but with a dome ceiling made of metal and glass.
Janet stops at the first set of trees, but my attention is still on the arena.
“What the hell was that?” Lola asks.
I swallow and shift my gaze back to my new friends.
“Long story,” I whisper.
“People are going to be talking about that all day.”
I groan and slump down into the grass, back leaning against the rough bark. “I have to go there next,” I tell them, pointing to the arena.
Janet sighs and nods. “You’re in the lowest level class, though, so you won’t be faced with anything too tough.”
We sit still, not talking for a few minutes while I force myself to relax. Jarron confronted me about my reasons for being at this school. He’s now the only one who knows why I’m here.
I’m not sure why I even told him. I should have just lied.
“So, how do you know Jarron?”
I sniff, pulling my mind back into focus. I have a job to do here. A purpose. I’m out of my league, I know, but I’ve never been one to back down from a challenge. “His parents know mine.”
“Sounds like the super, simplified version,” Lola chimes dramatically.
I shrug.
“Also, how the hell do your parents know the king and queen of the Under World?” Janet asks.
I press my lips together. “They’re potions masters. They have some important clients.”
Janet presses her palm to her mouth. “Yeah,” she mumbles, then drops her hand. “I would have expected like Olivia Rodriguez and Jennifer Aniston, important. Not other-world-royalty important.”
“Wait!” Lola shrieks. “Candice Montgomery. Your parents aretheMontgomerys?”
Janet gasps.
I roll my eyes. “They’re not that big of a deal.”
“Are you kidding? They’re famous. Didn’t they help the goblin heir take back her kingdom by brewing a spell that tricked a mountain troll into thinking he was an owl for a full week?”
I snort. “Yeah, but that’s more funny than impressive.”
