I’m screaming like I’m on the scariest roller coaster ride in existence. Even Hudson gives a shout from behind me, his arms reaching around my waist and tugging me against his chest as though to protect me. And just like that, the wild thing deep inside me is set free again, and I’m laughing so hard, I can barely catch my breath.
At least until we get closer to the ground, because Flint’s showing absolutely no sign of slowing down despite the fact that the tree line is looming awfully close. My stomach clenches, and a quick glance behind me shows that even Hudson looks a little nervous. But Flint hasn’t steered us wrong yet, so I just take a deep breath and wait for whatever he’s going to do next.
What he does next, in fact, is pull up at pretty much the last second, sending us screaming back to the top of the castle as I laugh and laugh and laugh. Now Flint looks back at me, laughter in his own eyes as we do two quick spins around the school before finally coming in for the smoothest landing ever.
I manage to get off him pretty much the way I got on but in reverse, and seconds later, I’m back on the ground, standing on my own shaky legs.
There’s another shimmer, another air funnel, and a few seconds later, Flint is standing next to me in what’s left of his school uniform—which now is little more than a pair of ripped-up pants and half a button-down shirt missing all the buttons.
I take one look at him and start laughing, partly because of his clothes and partly because of the goofy smile on his face. It doesn’t take long before he’s laughing, too.
“So what’d you think?” Flint asks.
“It wasn’t quite the flying lesson I was anticipating,” I answer with a grin. “But it was so much fun.” And it’s true. For the first time since I turned human again, I feel completely, 100 percent myself. It’s a good feeling, one that has me holding on to Flint’s arm because I don’t want him to go. I don’t want him to take this feeling with him. “Did you have fun?”
“I really did. And you’re a natural.”
“Yeah, right. You rolled your eyes at me.”
He very deliberately rolls them again. “You couldn’t figure out how to get on my back.”
“Well, it’s not like dragons come with an instruction manual. It was difficult.”
“Apparently.” I stick my tongue out at him, but he just laughs. “Wanna do it again sometime?”
“Absolutely.” I take a second to go over my schedule in my head. Then suggest, “How about tomorrow morning? We could get the whole Ludares team together to meet and maybe practice for the tournament? And you can show me how to fly, using my own wings this time.”
“I like the way you think, New Girl. Meet you on the practice field at nine?”
“Make it ten. Macy’s not a morning person.”
He shakes his head. “Witches and vamps, man. They never are.” He glances toward the school. “You need me to walk you back to your room?”
“Nah, I’m good. But thanks, Flint.” I give him an impulsive hug. “You’re the best.”
“Not so much, New Girl.” This time his smile is tinged with just a little bit of sadness. “But I can’t wait to see you fly tomorrow. See if you can give me a run for my money.”
“Pretty sure a F-35 couldn’t give you a run for your money, but thanks for the compliment.” I give him a little wave, then head toward the stairs that lead up to the front entrance. As I go, I can’t help wondering what it is that keeps making Flint seem so sad when he thinks I’m not looking.
56
Just Shut Up
and Dance
I’m exhausted by the time I get back to my bedroom around eight. Macy tries to convince me to go hang out with some of her witch friends—they’re getting together for Netflix and facials—but the truth is, I’m too nervous about tomorrow to think about anything else.
I’m going to meet the whole Ludares team tomorrow—Flint and Macy worked on rounding it out today, and they think they’ve finally got the team we need to win. And we need to win, at least if we’re going to get the bloodstone we need to force Hudson out of my head and turn him human. Without it, we’re totally screwed.
But how am I supposed to compete in this game I still