I won’t let her face this alone. “I’ll go with you.”
“No, best if you stay scarce. Every Acca flunky within yelling range is screaming how you dishonored them for a second time.”
Dishonored, really? I pause, rubbing my neck with my hand. After hanging out with Adair, it’s not actually all that surprising. That House of Acca is bad news. I chuck Cissy gently on the shoulder. “No worries. I can just head back.”
She tilts her head to one side. “Are you sure?”
“Sure, I’m sure.” If I can ever find my way back to the parking lot and Betsy. That was a hike.
Cissy gives me a peck on the cheek. “Thanks.” She lifts up her skirt a bit, spins about and speeds off. Once she’s gone, I scope out the grounds, trying to picture the long path back to Betsy. Not really sure how to begin.
That’s when I hear it. Angry Acca voices calling for the ‘foul demon,’ ‘scum fighter,’ and ‘quasi whore’ who humiliated their Earl. I saved the guy’s life, and this is what happens? My throat tightens. Sadness and disappointment wind about my ribs. What have I been trying to prove by fighting these people? Did I think they’d realize a quasi girl has as much value as a thrax warrior? No matter what I do, they’ll never see me as anything but a foul demon.
My eyes sting. He’ll never see me as anything but a foul demon, either.
A bitter gloom settles into my bones. I need to head home, now. I try to slog my way back to the parking lot, but I’m not used to the puffy dress and heels. I slip in the mud, landing on my bum with a thump. Warm tears blur my vision.
Footsteps slosh up behind me. Even in the mud, I can’t miss the military precision of the owner’s walk. Lincoln.
I lift my hands, watching mud drip through my fingers. “Look, buddy. If you’re here to complain, I’ve already heard it. The House of Acca yells much better than they fight.”
Lincoln clears his throat. “On behalf of myself and my people, thank you for saving the Earl’s life.”
I shake my head, not sure if I heard him correctly. Was that actual niceness from the Prince’s mouth? I watch his outline as he walks away.
My head cocks to one side. “You’re welcome.”
I slowly haul myself to my feet. My gown’s so loaded with mud, it now weighs a ton. I frown. It’s going to take me forever to slog back to Betsy, even if I can figure out where I parked her.
A whinny sounds from a nearby line of trees. I scan the dim forest. Nightshade’s bluish-gray coat gleams in the shadows. I smile.
“Perfect timing, Night. I could sure use a ride.”
Chapter Thirteen
Cissy’s chipper voice carries from my front door into my dingy bedroom. “Hello, Momma Lewis. Is Myla home?”
Sitting upright in bed, I slam shut the schoolbook in my hands.
Cissy’s here. Sweet.
I glance at my Darth Vader alarm clock; the thrax autumn tournament ended hours ago. In a feat of super stealthy-ness, I was able to sneak home without Mom seeing me or my muddy dress, thanks in large part to the world’s biggest bathroom-window-slash-emergency-entrance. Since then, I’ve been waiting on pins and needles for some news from Cissy.
Mom speaks next. “I thought you and Myla were at your house.”
Leaping to my feet, I rush through my bedroom door. “Hi, Mom! Hey, Cissy!” I find both of them standing in the opened doorway. Cissy’s in sweats and a t-shirt; Mom wears a look that says ‘you two are up to something.’
Mom’s chocolate eyes narrow. “What are you doing home, Myla?”
I sidle up to the front door and try to act cool. “Oh, I came back here a while ago to do some homework. Didn’t you hear me come in?”
“Ah, no.” Her Mom-radar is now scanning the situation, full throttle. I’m sure she suspects something’s off here, but hopefully she won’t guess what it is.
I grab my best friend’s hand. “Cissy’s here to help with the rest of my homework.” I drag her toward my room. “See you later, Mom!” We rush through the bedroom doorway, closing it quickly behind us.
I’m bursting with curiosity. “So, what happened after I left?”
“That Earl is a piece of nastiness. All he did was whine about how you humiliated him.” Cissy rolls her eyes. “He wanted to file an official diplomatic complaint.”
“That douchebag! I saved his freaking life!” My eyes flicker red with anger. An official complaint could cause me, Mom, and the Ryders a whole lot of trouble.
She rubs her chin thoughtfully. “Everyone in the House of Acca was screaming for it.”
“I heard them.” My voice hitches. “Someone should wash their mouths out with soap.” The memory of their cries echoes through my mind. My chest tightens with humiliation and rage.
Cissy shoots me a sly grin. “Don’t take that part too seriously. They were complaining, but not complaining, if you know what I mean.”