on?” Dmitri demands as Asher leads us into a different empty classroom. We’ve relocated, just in case.
Roman opens his mouth, probably about to ask the same thing. As briefly as I can, I explain what happened—and that Cam and Asher wouldn’t let me go after the two mages, damn it.
The two darkly handsome men look a bit amused at this, and I scowl at them. Hey, not funny, guys.
“And why are you bringing us into it?” Dmitri grouches when I finish my story.
“Oh, no, I’m in trouble and I came to you for help, just like you seem to want me to do, how awful for you,” I shoot back, my irritation at this whole situation spilling over onto him.
Seriously though, if we hadn’t told him what was going on, I’m sure I would’ve gotten an earful about that later. I just can’t win with this guy.
“Damn it. This is not good,” Roman growls, and we all snap back to attention.
Ash squares his shoulders. “I say we go to the dean.”
His vote doesn’t surprise me. He’s a rule follower and comes from a well-adjusted family, so it only makes sense that he’d trust authority figures more than I do.
Roman shakes his head. “No. Hardwick’s hands are tied enough as it is. He can’t do anything, and he won’t be able to interfere without it looking like we’re just sore losers. Our position is delicate enough already.”
“And if we tell any of the admins, how do we know the wrong person won’t hear about it?” Dmitri points out, his dark eyes glinting.
“For once, I agree with you,” I admit. “I don’t think it’s a good idea. And we don’t know who this third guy is. It could be anyone. It could be… Hardwick himself.” It’s not likely—and God, I hope it’s not Hardwick. I like him. But I’d rather be safe than sorry.
“What do we do, then?” Cam rakes a hand through his hair.
“I’ll tell you what I’m going to do.” It feels like sharks are circling in my chest, hungry for blood. “I’m going to keep competing in the Trials, and I’m going to make it to the end. Screw those guys and everyone else.”
When this whole thing started, I didn’t care so much about winning; I just wanted to do well enough to make my school proud. But I’ll be damned if I’m going to let three prejudiced assholes take me down like this.
I’ll show them. I’ll prove them fucking wrong.
Somehow, some way, I’m going to win this damn thing.
Chapter 18
The next several days, as I prepare for the third challenge, are intense.
The guys agree it’ll look better for the school, and save us problems with the administration, if I beat the Trials on my own without Hardwick or anyone else knowing about the sabotage attempts, and without the two mages knowing I’m onto them.
“If you go to Hardwick, the other school representatives will spin it so you sound like you’re looking for an excuse if you fail. Even the ones who aren’t actively conspiring against you will likely jump on the opportunity to claim Unpredictables don’t belong in the Trials,” Roman counsels me. “But we cannot let you get hurt.”
I want to win this fucking thing, but the guys all seem much more concerned with my personal safety. It’s actually very touching—and understandable, given my recent struggles—but goddamn it, I want to kick ass and take names, not just make it out by the skin of my teeth.
Cam trains with me in the mornings before we go to class, and then I have private sessions with both Tamlin and Roman. They each give me homework, which Asher helps me complete, and I spar with Dmitri on top of it all.
“Come on, Princess. You can do better. You have to be so on top of your game that you don’t even think about it,” Dmitri growls at me after pinning me in one of our sessions.
I glare up at him. “What about taking it easy on myself? Trusting in my abilities? Isn’t that what you and Roman said I should do?”
His expression hardens. “That was before your life was in danger.”
Even the sexy edge to our fighting has gone, because he’s just so focused on getting me to win, to be the best.
Exhaustion and worry hang on me like heavy weights, and even though the guys do their best to make sure I’m sleeping enough and eating well, I lay awake for hours every night, running through drills and