Chapter 7
Adelaide
My nerves were trying to get the best of me, even though this was my idea.
I felt warm breath in my ear, “You’ve got this, Angel. Kick their ass.”
I jerked my head up just in time to see Sly Iverson turn and head back into the crowd.
What in the world? Did Sly… fine as hell… Iverson whisper in my freaking ear? Sly was my favorite player on the combat squad team. In the last competition at the academy, he had single-handedly captured the other team's banner with only minor bloodshed. The guy was a celebrity here at Emberhold.
Jasmine and I even fangirled when it looked like he’d glanced our way at lunch the other day. Damien wasn’t too happy about that until Jasmine insisted he was staring at me.
I thought she was full of shit- I hoped I was wrong.
Every female in our class fantasized that they were either his Nexus or in his Faction. I was no different… the guy could crack bricks with his butt. Sly was close to seven feet of pure muscle, and I wanted to lick his abs, like a deranged Fellat with a bowl of cream.
Thinking about his warm breath in my ear made me shiver with desire.
I discreetly looked down at my chest to make sure my nipples weren’t showing. That would be embarrassing. I didn’t want to go through this course with nipple erections.
Whatever his reasons, his words had done the trick.
I took a deep breath and centered myself.
I could do this. I’d been training for years, and those two giant bitches could kiss my ass.
It was time I put Selene in her place. Maybe then she’d move on and torture some other poor girl.
Better yet, perhaps she’d quit being such an unnecessary asshole and stop making things more difficult for everyone.
I looked at my square-faced, hot pink timekeeper and saw that two minutes had gone by.
I’d seen Selene run other courses, and I knew she was incredible.
This wasn’t going to be easy, but nothing worthwhile ever was.
I knew what I could do, and I’d been holding back a little in class.
There was no point in showing all of your cards straight out of the gate.
You never knew when you needed to put a giant, blonde (my hair was a beautiful white blonde, theirs was a golden blonde…
big difference.) shit-sucking, ass-licking, bitch that’s breath smelled like an earring back in their place.
I glanced at Beatrice out of the corner of my eye. Now it was time to play some head games. “Hey Beatrice, why do blondes like lightning?”
She looked confused at my question, “Why?”
“They think someone is taking their picture.” I grinned.
Everyone started laughing, and Beatrice growled. “That’s just stupid. You’re blonde too!”
“Nope, my hair is a lighter shade of pale.” I twirled my long ponytail around my finger. I was definitely a blonde, but that made it even funnier.
“You’re an idiot.” Beatrice snarled.
I wonder if she realized that rage-face made you wrinkle earlier.
“Why does it take longer to build a blonde snowman?”
“I’m not playing your stupid game!” She actually stomped her foot.
I heard a voice yell from the crowd, “Why?”
I recognized the sultry tones of my best friend's voice immediately. “Because you have to hollow out the head.”
Everyone in the crowd started laughing again.
I glanced back at the time, five minutes in. Damn, this freaking course must be jacked. I glanced down at my supple black leather boots.
I really hoped my shoes weren’t fucked for this.
Beatrice’s squeal of rage jerked me out of my thoughts. “Everyone shut up!” Her face was now red with anger.
Just a little more, and her run would be destroyed. I knew I should feel bad, but really, I deserved an award for the shit I’d put up with. Both girls had been asking for this since I got here.
“How does a blonde’s brain cell die?”
I waited because I knew Jasmine wouldn’t let me down, but color me surprised when it was Frosty, John, and Jesse that screamed out collectively, “How?”
I paused for dramatic effect, then grinned at Beatrice, “Alone.”
She screamed, then started in my direction, but stopped suddenly when Selene rolled out of the course, bleeding and covered in mud.
“Selene!” Beatrice screeched. Then ran to her side, “Are you okay?”
Selene rolled to her knees, then stood, “I’m fine.” She looked at the instructor, “What’s my time?”
“Ten minutes.” He motioned for Beatrice to step up.
“Get it done.” Selene growled, “I know you can’t beat my time, but I expect you to come in close.”
Beatrice nodded her head, “I won’t let you down.”
“Take your mark.” Instructor Allen yelled at her.
He started his countdown, and I yelled out, “What did the blonde say when she found out she was pregnant?”
This time, the whole group shouted, “What!”
“I wonder if it’s mine?” I screamed.
The timing was perfect because no sooner than the words left my mouth, Instructor Allen yelled, “Go!”
Instead of entering the course, Beatrice ran in my direction and threw a punch at my face that I easily ducked. She started to kick out with her leg, but Selene grabbed her by the arm and shoved her in the direction of the course. “Get your ass in there, time is running down!”
Beatrice shot one more hateful glare at me before racing into the Maze.
Selene scowled at me, “You’ll pay for that shit!”
“No evil villain laugh to follow up that threat?” I taunted her. “Maybe some monologue?”
“Fuck off, Adelaide. I know where you sleep.” She scowled at me.
After this, it was probably best if I requested a new room. I wouldn’t get a wink of sleep having to watch out for those two psycho bitches. If I were denied, I’d sleep in the damn library.
“What the fuck did Sly say to you?” Selene demanded, staring at me fiercely.
“What business is it of yours?” I asked, feeling irrationally jealous at the thought of her knowing him.
“It’s my business because I say it is. Now fucking tell me!” If she had the ability to shoot fire out of her eyes, I’d be dead now.
I couldn’t let this bitch get into my head like I’d done with Beatrice. Focusing on the course was more important than bothering her, so I gave her an answer… not a truthful one, but she wouldn’t know that.
“Good luck, that was all he said,” I smirked.
“Stay away from him, he’s mine,” Selene growled out.
I just shrugged my shoulders. Until our Factions were formed, I wouldn’t make that promise. I’d felt a certain type of way when he whispered in my ear, so whether or not he was hers might be up for debate.
Glancing down at the time, I saw that we’d passed the nine-minute mark. Beatrice wasn’t going to beat Selene’s time, but under ten minutes was still going to be tough to beat…at least for most Passives.
I had an edge over both of them.
I was smaller and incredibly fast. One of my fathers was an extreme athlete, and I’d been training with him since I could walk.
He’d never accepted the excuse of lacking abilities; he believed that Aurathions used that as a crutch and thought more Passives would be happier if they lived as if they might never be part of a Faction.
I watched the entrance to the course and concentrated on my breathing. I didn’t know what awaited me, but I could handle anything.
If Selene could do it, I knew I could.
Finally, at twelve minutes, Beatrice limped out of the course, her left arm at an odd angle, clearly broken. Her mouth was bleeding… were those teeth marks on her leg?
Of course, Selene didn’t show any concern and just motioned for me to step up. “Let’s see what a waste of space like you can do.”
Instructor Allen had summoned an Aurathion with healing abilities, and they took Beatrice to the infirmary.
Of course, Selene didn’t go with her.
“I’ll be sure to keep those three men you’ve been hanging around with satisfied. I’m sure they’d appreciate the attention of a real woman.” She licked her lips and made a lewd gesture with her hips.
I flipped her off, “Maybe if they can get past the smell of your skanky ass vagina. I heard a rumor going around the academy that it smells like Parmesan cheese and bad decisions.”
When Instructor Allen yelled Go, I entered the course with a smile on my face and the sound of Selene’s outraged scream in my ears.