me. We’re… I—”
“Elliot?”
Cam’s voice comes from the doorway, and I jump about a foot in the air. The two Dmitris and I spring apart like we just got busted plotting to overthrow the government or something.
My pulse pounds hard in my ears as I look toward the open door and see Cam, Asher, and Roman all gathered there.
Ah, crap.
How much did they all see?
Chapter 21
My cheeks flame, and I suddenly find the floor tiles supremely fascinating.
It’s stupid to worry about being caught doing… I don’t even know what… with Dmitri. We all have an agreement, and whether or not anything ever actually happens between me and the moody, dark-haired mage, I know all the guys consider him part of that agreement. So it’s not like I’m worried about being caught cheating; if I kissed Dmitri, it wouldn’t be cheating.
I think it’s more that I’m embarrassed about being caught in such a vulnerable state. I’ve been getting better about opening up with all the men, but it still makes my stomach twist uncomfortably to be so exposed in front of them.
Dmitri obviously feels the same way, because he won’t look at any of them either. His double gives me one last loaded look before dissolving and sliding back into the real Dmitri.
There’s a moment of silence as the other guys absorb the weird vibe in the room, but mercifully, they don’t say anything about it.
“Are you all right, Reckless? Goddamn it. That was definitely sabotage.” Roman shakes his head, stepping through the doorway and striding toward me, and his words snap my mind back into focus.
Right. Trials. Conspiracy. Sabotage.
“Yeah.” I nod. “I couldn’t see exactly what all the other contestants faced along the course, but from the glimpses I got, it didn’t look as bad as what I was up against.”
“It wasn’t,” he says grimly, grasping my shoulders as his gaze roams over me, scanning my injuries. The medical staff are great, and they helped with the worst of it, but I know I still look pretty banged up.
“I still managed to win though,” I point out, stepping out of his hold and straightening my spine. I don’t want the guys to be any more concerned about me than they already are.
“Hell, yeah, you did.” Cam flashes a grin, holding up his hand for a high-five.
I slap his palm, grinning right back.
“Not to take away from your accomplishment, Elle,” Asher says quietly, “but that event was pretty dangerous. And the more difficult opponents you faced in the combat simulation were dangerous too. You’re getting badly injured.”
“If this keeps up, you could end up dead,” Roman finishes.
Dmitri crosses his arms over his chest. The softness has faded from his face, and now he has an I told you so gleam in his dark eyes. I ignore it. “What do you think I should do then?”
“Drop out,” all four men chorus.
My jaw clenches, and I shake my head stubbornly. “No can do. I’m not dropping this.”
“Reckless—” Roman begins, but I don’t let him finish. My body aches, and I’m so tired I just want to sleep for days, but I can’t just give up.
“Is that seriously what you want me to do? Back down? Let everyone think the Unpredictable couldn’t hack it? Make the school look bad? I’m not a coward. I’m going to represent the Griffin Academy, and I’m going to do the best I can at it.”
“I thought you didn’t care about this place.” Dmitri arches a brow.
“I don’t,” I reply. “Well… didn’t, anyway.”
At some point, I started caring. A lot. I want this school to do well.
The men all look at each other then back at me. I fold my arms. “I’m not giving in on this. I’ve never backed down from a challenge, and I’m not starting now. And if it does kill me, then you can use it as proof I was sabotaged and can arrest those assholes.”
I don’t want to die, I really don’t. But I don’t think those two mages—and their buddy, whoever he is—are actively trying to kill me. That’s not to say it couldn’t happen by accident, but this isn’t a guaranteed suicide mission. And besides, this is bigger than just me, and it feels important. This academy is a haven to those who still aren’t completely accepted anywhere else; I won’t let some angry, frightened bigots tear it down.
So I’ll keep fighting, no matter what happens.
Asher tilts his head, and I wonder if his cuff is still deactivated. Is he reading my mind?