“So I thought you weren’t coming back to school until tomorrow. What happened?”
What happened? Lincoln happened. Heat climbs into my cheeks as I remember the Prince’s kiss and his sweet words. Not that I’m telling Cissy anything about that. The last thing I need is the return of the envy monster. I clear my throat. “I felt better.”
Cissy sets her hand on my arm. “Are you okay? You look flushed.”
I force a cough. “Yeah, I’m fine. Still recovering.” Hells bells, could I be any more suspicious?
Cissy gives my arm a gentle pat. “Don’t push yourself, sweetie.”
I exhale. “You’re so right.” And so not suspecting anything. Sweet.
“Oh, you won’t believe what happened at school. Someone stole all the Biology demons.”
“No. Way.” I grin, my eyes flaring red. Talking about kissing Lincoln? A bad idea. Bragging about stealing Reperio? A requirement.
“Hells bells! Myla, did you have something to do with that?”
“I most surely did.” I wag my eyebrows up and down. “I totally stole the Reperio and released them at a thrax dinner. Isn’t that the best idea in the history of ever?”
Cissy sighs. “I won’t lecture you on why that was completely insane. If you’d been caught, it would have been another diplomatic nightmare. Not to mention the fact that stealing from school is illegal.”
I click my tongue. “This is one of your non-lecture-lectures, isn’t it?”
Cissy tries to grimace, but smiles instead. “You are trouble, Myla Lewis.”
Funny, that’s what Lincoln said too. I remember the Prince’s kiss and feel all fuzzy inside. I must have a pretty goofy look on my face, because once I return my attention to Cissy, she’s now suspecting something, big time.
“Why’d you release demons at a thrax dinner?” She smacks her lips. “Does this have anything to do with Prince Lincoln?”
Play it cool, Myla. “Oh, him? He’s just a friend.” A friend that I kissed once and now want to strip down and lick, that’s all.
“Are you holding out on me?” Her eyes flare red.
Wooo-ee. I need to vamoose before she goes all envy demon on me. “Sorry, Cissy. I gotta run or I’ll be late.” Turning on my heel, I rush off before she has a chance to stop me.
Whew. That was close.
Chapter Seventeen
“Good morning, Myla. You’re called to serve.”
I open my eyes and yawn. “Hey there, Walker. I haven’t seen you in ages.” In fact, the last time I saw him was three months ago, when I fought Deacon in the Arena and almost tackled Lincoln. Who knew I’d end up kissing the guy? Since then, I’ve gone to both the thrax autumn and winter tournaments. Time has flown.
Now it’s just a few days after celebrations for the New Year. Too long, really, between visits from my honorary undead older brother. Normally he sneaks me in to see someone else’s match at the Arena at least once a month.
I mock-frown. “I’ve missed you, Walker.”
My heart thumps sadly. I miss Lincoln, too. I haven’t heard a word from him since the winter tournament two weeks ago. It’s really bumming me out that I was some kind of one-kiss-stand for him. Nightshade’s now a permanent resident at the Ryder stables; I take her out for regular jaunts near the thrax compound. Each time, I hope to run into a particular someone, but no such luck. I’m too proud to do more than that.
I let out a low sigh. Okay, I’m actually not too proud to do more than that, but the thrax have their little campground on some kind of mega lock-down these days.
Walker sizes me up carefully. “I’ve missed you as well.” He rubs his long sideburns. “I hear congratulations are in order.”
I flip off my covers and set my toes on the chilly floor. “Why’s that?”
“You’re the greatest warrior in Antrum.”
“Oh, yeah.” I step over to my dresser, open the top drawer and pull out my golden breastplate. “Queen Octavia hooked me up with armor and a spot in the tournament.” I set the breastplate over my gray nightgown and model it for Walker. “I took out an Arachnoid in this thing.”
Walker grins. “I wish I could have seen it.”
I wink. “Perhaps another time.” I carefully set the breastplate back into my drawer. “So, who am I fighting today?”
Walker lowers his voice. “I have a surprise for you. We’re actually seeing an iconigration.”
I clasp my hands. “No. Way.” Iconigrations are when the Scala moves multiple souls to Heaven or Hell at once. I’ve only seen these a few times. Mega cool.
“Oh, I found a way.” He sets one finger over his mouth in a ‘shh’ face. “Just don’t tell your mother what we’re up to.”
I mime zipping my mouth shut. “Got it.” Mom freaks out when I do anything different. I have a feeling an iconigration would send her through the roof.
“See you in a bit.” Walker steps out my bedroom door, careful to close it behind him.