Shit. How come I didn’t mind stabbing people, and yet I couldn’t stand making the saddest person I’d ever met even more sad?
“How did you and Clay get to stay friends?” he asked, looking a bit happier.
“There are tests, as always,” Glitter looked distressed. “Oh no, some are fun and easy!” I offered. “We had to recover a weird canister from another guild. I think they were a fighting league? I’m not sure. Anyway, then we had to bring it to the Wolf Pack League that Clay joined!”
“But you didn’t pass the test,” he said, looking even more distressed. “You were torn apart!”
“No, we weren’t,” I tried to sound firm. “We each had to go to our own guilds, but we can still chat.”
Once every few months.
“You look sad,” Glitter said, and I realized he was right beside me. I jumped.
“Back away, please,” I said as calmly as I could. “Personal space, Glitter. Please stay an arm’s length at all times, unless invited to come closer.”
He nodded and took a step back. Exactly an arm’s length away. Friendship with him wouldn’t be too bad as long as I stayed patient and detailed my expectations.
Before I had to explain to Glitter that I wasn’t sad, before having to convince myself of that, a second knock came at the door.
It was time to face the leaders of the guilds.
Chapter Twelve
Ian stared quizzically at Glitter.
“He’s the only survivor of the Chengzu Guild,” I said. “He might have valuable intel.” Glitter grinned at Ian.
“Do you?” Ian asked, arching an eyebrow and crossing his arms.
Glitter nodded and then stopped suddenly. “I don’t think so. Maybe? It was all so fast…”
I folded my arms and looked at Ian. He sighed.
“I know that look. Fine, he can come, but only because he’s the only one who can represent his guild anyway, and every guild was invited.”
“Every guild?” I was surprised to hear that. “Isn’t that a lot?”
“Maybe,” Ian offered. “Look, we don’t actually know how many guilds there are. But we know of some local chapters. We were invited by another research guild, and the Wolf Pack League offered their place as a secure neutral meeting ground. I’m not privy to the information of how many are coming.”
“Aren’t you worried?” I asked as we began walking toward one of the many side entrances. Rachel stood by her room, practically glaring at us.
She looked like she wanted to come, but Ian gave no sign that she was invited. I wondered what her stake in this was. Maybe she was just aching for a good fight. To blow up the right people.
If I could create explosions, I’d probably want to go take out a few people, too.
“I’m always a little bit worried about everything,” Ian offered once we were out of earshot of the trainees. “It’s not a bad thing. It’s kept me alive this long.”
“Cheerful,” I muttered. Glitter walked silently behind us, looking around him like he’d never seen anything quite like the Guild of Shadows. And, from his guild filled with books and decorative wood accents, he probably hadn’t.
The walls were metallic, the bright light stole shadows (despite our name, which I thought was silly), and there were no enhancements or furnishings. Not even the leader’s throne room proved to be spectacular. It wasn’t his “throne room,” I’d been informed early on. But it had a giant chair, so close enough as far as I was concerned.
Of course, these weren’t our usual headquarters, I was also told. Ian stayed here with us, but Sonsil ruled from the main Guild of Shadows outpost. They’d moved into this one to be closer to the canister and find it. It had been that important, and I still knew so little about it, except that it was part of a greater machine to open portals back up.
To bring us home.
It seemed impossible. But, at least, it meant that the fighter’s league, where I’d stolen the canister back from, was just a ten-minute walk away.
Which proved rather convenient.
We stepped out of the southern side door, into the well-guarded alley. The first time we’d come here, we’d snuck in via this door. Some kind of shadow snare had blanketed it, and I’d never found out who had set it.
A mystery for another day.
So many mysteries, really, but it wasn’t so bad. I’d see Clay soon, and we’d get to catch up, face-to-face. I was both elated and worried.
Three months ago, I’d stolen the canister from his league, after knocking him out. He knew it was me. And we hadn’t had a good chance to chat since then.
Part of me worried about a blowout. But Clay was my oldest friend. I had to trust that he’d understand why I’d done it. To keep us both safe.
Apart, but safe.
I suddenly realized that we hadn’t stopped by the armory.
“Weapons?” I asked, hopeful. Maybe he’d grabbed some for me already?
“No weapons,” he answered. His glance flicked to my barrette, currently affixed to my belt, which hid a sleeping agent. It wasn’t much of a weapon, but it would do in a pinch.
I guess the Wolf Pack didn’t want a bunch of heavily armed Traded to invade its territory. I could understand that.
“Keep us in your shadows,” Ian said. “It’s probably a better way to go than via vehicle.”
I nodded. Three people in my shadows should be doable.
I pulled every shadow, plentiful as the night had descended, around me. Every crack and corner offered a little bit of themselves, gathering around the three of us. I turned to Glitter, whose eyes were big and even more shiny. “Stay close,” I whispered, “and don’t talk.”
He nodded and shuffled closer, then stopped, holding up his arm.
What…oh. Arm’s length. I grabbed his arm and pulled him closer. Arm’s length was a bit too far. Glitter looked confused but stayed the distance I placed him.
Ian stood as close as Glitter, but his presence wasn’t uncomfortable. Not to me, anyway. Maybe because he’d been a puppy when we’d met, or maybe because he was a friend.
I glanced at Glitter, sticking close to me on my right, head bowed down, back hunched. Bandages covered what little I could see of his hands and face, robes hid his legs, a sweater provided a hoodie which hid his head and slightly droopy ears. I didn’t want harm to come to him, either, even if he was weird. He depended on me in much the same way a puppy would.
Maybe I just liked dogs more than people? I really had to find out if the Guild of Shadows would let me adopt one.
We walked together, at a good clip, toward the Wolf Pack League. I focused so hard on keeping us safe that I hardly spared a thought to the anticipation of soon seeing Clay.
#
It amused me that a tall building that looked like a really boring office tower housed one of the most popular fighting leagues. I dropped my shadows before we walked in, unchallenged. The doors were guarded. Unlike usual.
For a few moments, I allowed myself to imagine what the future would have looked like, had I joined them. Being here, in the arena, with Clay, instead of hiding in the shadows with my Guild.
I liked the idea of fighting, but I didn’t like their combats to the death. And I would never be able to fight Clay. Plus, the fighters’ leagues were, at their heart, entertainment leagues. People watched them. Placed bets. Paid to see Traded tear each other to pieces…no.
This place wasn’t for me. Not that the Guild of Shadows would have allowed me to join it, but still. And, as much as I’d hated to admit it, this place worked really well for Clay.
“Tira!” I heard the familiar voice call as soon we went up a half-flight of stairs, leading to the “reception” area.
He half went in for a hug, but then changed to a fist bump, and the whole thing was just awkward as hell, but we both laughed and eventually hugged. He was all edges and muscle, his long hair tied back in a ponytail, his grin still as ridiculously e
asy as usual.
If you didn’t know he was Traded and didn’t look too closely, Clay could fool you into thinking he was human. But his teeth were a bit too sharp, as were his nails, forming claws. And, in the ring, he was fast. I’d seen a few of his combats, and his stats showed he had rarely been defeated. He’d reached Level 1 Champion status, which worried me.
To reach a higher level, he’d have to go for more dangerous fights. The type that could get you killed.
This place certainly bore little resemblance to the Guild of Shadows. The fighters were allowed to roam freely. Mind you, it also looked like an office decorated in the mid-80s, which wasn’t great. Everything was kind of yellow gray and smoky looking.
Their arena, on the other hand, was high-tech fancy. And that was pretty much all I’d seen of the Wolf Pack League. Except for the basement and cells, of course. I was good at getting thrown in those.
“What are you doing here?” Clay asked. “And what’s that?” he pointed to Glitter, who still stuck very close to me. I hadn’t even noticed he’d joined us.
“I’m Glitter,” he said in his raspy voice, holding out his hand tentatively, not extending his arm all the way out.
“Clay,” Clay said, grabbing the hand gently and awkwardly. I’d have laughed if it wasn’t so sweet, in a weird way. Clay wasn’t the gentle type, but he was trying, probably out of fear of breaking Glitter.
“Glitter is from the Chengzu Guild,” I said. Clay’s eyes widened and he looked back at Glitter, as though really seeing him for the first time.
“You survived that attack?” Clay asked, sounding impressed and not a little bit skeptical.
“Dessert saved me! I mean, Tira!” Glitter grinned at me, looking pleased. I groaned. I’d forgotten to tell him not to mention that to Clay. I mean, I intended to tell him, eventually (probably), but not like this.
Clay’s eyes targeted me and widened. “You were there?” The calmness of his voice didn’t fool me. I knew he was upset. Maybe hurt.
“She saved me! Even saw the monster before it almost tore her in two!” Glitter added gleefully.
Wonderful.
Clay’s eyes widened even more. Before I could shut Glitter up and tell Clay what happened, Ian joined us.
“The meeting is starting soon,” Ian said, nodding to Clay.
“You almost got her killed,” Clay spat at him, taking a step toward him. Ian stood taller than Clay, but Clay was all muscle. Ian didn’t back away, holding his ground.
“Stop,” I told Clay, my voice soft. “Please stop. Not here. Not now,” I stepped between him and Ian, and glanced back further into the office space, where every fighter now glanced our way. I flushed bright purple.
I’d never get through this meeting.
Clay visibly struggled to get himself back under control, understanding that I didn’t want to draw any more attention our way.
“We’ll talk later,” he told Ian, poison dripping from his words.
“If we must,” Ian replied calmly. I thought Clay would just casually push me aside and smack Ian, but instead he turned around and led us into his league, toward the Boss’ room.
I knew that place well.
It’s where I’d stolen the canister, and where I’d betrayed Clay, choosing the Guild of Shadows over him. All this time, I’d been worried that Clay would be angry at me. But now I realized that he blamed my actions on Ian.
Ian didn’t seem to care, but I did. Clay should know that I could make my own choices, even if they weren’t the ones he’d necessarily make.
We stepped into the Boss’ room, her dark, piercing eyes staring at me from her bony face, shrewd and judging.
Sonsil stood near the Boss, speaking to another Traded, all green and mean-looking. This place was packed with serious-looking humans and Traded, guild leaders from near and far.
There were at least thirty. And I had to speak in front of all of them.
Tables formed a horseshoe, like a little United Nations. The overhead lights were so bright, they might as well be spotlights.
And it was expected that I would just stand there and reveal all of the details of my near death.
Shit.
Like I wanted to live through that again. In front of all these people. I tugged at the shadows around me, then let them float away. Ian had made me promise not to do anything to compromise the Guild of Shadows.
I regretted that promise.
“I can’t do this,” I mumbled, my hand automatically grabbing Clay’s arm. Clay looked at me with some alarm.
“Can’t do what? Are you okay?”
“She’s fine,” Ian stepped up. “Come on, Tira,” he said not unkindly. But Clay took another step toward him, as though he intended to protect me.
I sighed. I just wanted to be able to say when I didn’t feel right, without having everyone turn it into a bar brawl. Before I could tell them both off (aka destress), a shrill sound pierced the still air, then stopped.
Everyone froze and looked up
Someone had broken into the league. Where all of the guild leaders were gathered, ripe for the picking.
Oh good.
I felt strangely relieved. Facing the creature again proved a lot more alluring than facing the spotlight.
Chapter Thirteen
For a split second, we stood frozen like a colorful tableau. Then all hell broke loose. The fighters stepped forward and began ushering their guests to various areas, I suppose splitting us up in the hopes the creature would be confused.
Ian marched toward Sonsil, sticking close to him as they shepherded him to the left. Sonsil looked annoyed. Ian glanced back to take stock of where I was.
“Tira!” He shouted and indicated I should follow. I started making my way through the throngs to reach him, but a hand clamped around my arm.
“Let’s move,” Clay pulled me in the opposite direction as Ian. I grabbed Glitter’s sweater and dragged him along. He seemed confused and hunched further into himself.
I caught Ian’s eye for a split second, and he looked pissed, but stuck with Sonsil. If we all survived, I doubted I could stop Clay and him having that blowout.
I focused on the one inoffensive (if weird) participant here, Glitter.
“Stick with us,” I told him. “Don’t lose us.” He looked up, shining green eyes wide with concern. “Clay’ll take care of us,” I grinned at him, then turned back, grip still firm on Glitter’s sweater.
Clay dragged me to an office area, but not the one near the reception. A few offices lined the walls, surrounding several open-air desks in the central area. There were two entry points: the stairs, and the room we’d just arrived from. A few fighters ran by towards the stairs, wielding various and sundry weapons, to fortify the main entrance. Not that the creature generally took the main entrance as far as I could tell, but I could understand the impulse.
Clay dragged me and Glitter like extra baggage, into one of the offices. He opened a cabinet and pushed aside some old jackets, revealing a hidden door.
That was cool. I loved hidden doors. How many lurked in the Guild of Shadows? I’d have to double my efforts at finding them!
“This leads to the fire escape,” he said. “You can escape from there.”
He turned to go, and my heart dropped. I grabbed his arm.
“Like hell I’m leaving without you,” I spat out, practically shaking. I held Glitter’s sweater with my right hand still, and now held Clay. Clay turned to argue with me, dark eyes intense, but I met and matched his glare.
Hell, I doubled it.
“We’re all leaving together,” I said. “Besides, Glitter and I are the only two who survived encounters with this thing,” I shrugged, “so it makes more sense for the two of us to stay and you to go.”
“Um,” Glitter said behind me. “I have another idea.”
“You do?” I turned to him, still hanging on to Clay but letting go of Glitter. Clay practically vibra
ted beside me. He didn’t like being questioned, and he certainly didn’t like that I was right.
“I can’t believe that damn mutt put you in that creature’s path,” Clay muttered. I ignored him.
“I think I know what the creature wants,” he said. “I’ve been studying it, you see.” He grinned widely. He really did have nice teeth.
“What do they want?” Clay said, cracking his knuckles and shifting from foot to foot, hankering for a fight. I glanced at him, and we shared a grin. I didn’t want to get cut again, but damn it would be good to fight together again. Besides, Clay and I could handle anything together.
Always had. Always would.
I squeezed his arm and let him go as I dragged my shadows around us, folding them gently and carefully to conceal the three of us. Glitter looked around with his strange eyes. I wondered what he saw through them. Maybe he could see my shadows in a way I wasn’t able to?
I’d have to ask him. At a more opportune time.
“They want something that’s supposed to open a portal,” Glitter said, breathless, arms as extended as they could be, as though he spoke of wonder. Then his arms folded back in, the wonder leaking out of him. “But, I don’t know what that is.”
Clay and I shared a look. We knew exactly what it was. We’d been tested shortly after leaving the Margrave Academy with the retrieval of this item. And we’d almost paid with our lives.
Maybe we’d also paid a bit with our friendship.
I was the first to break eye contact, fearing that my cheeks were turning a bit too purple at the memory. I’d done what I’d had to do, for both Clay and me.
Still.
“Why do you think they’re after something like that?” Clay asked.
Glitter glanced at me, then looked at Clay, all muscles and scowls right now. A shout was cut off, not far from us.
“It doesn’t matter what they’re after,” I whispered. “We have to stay quiet.” My shadows wouldn’t exactly keep us hidden if we kept chatting among ourselves.
Hell Bent Page 7
