I vaguely register Macy telling everyone that I can see and talk to Hudson—at least I think that’s what she says because suddenly everyone in the Order tenses up and turns to Jaxon, who just shrugs. Which is fine with me, since right now I’m more interested in hearing what Hudson has to say than I am worried about Jaxon’s friends staring at me.
“You mean besides keeping me trapped in stone with you for nearly three and a half months?” He raises one brow.
I sigh and throw my hands up. Because I already know that. “Yeah, that’s basically my point. I can’t imagine being much help on a team when all I can do is turn to stone. It’s kind of easy to catch me that way.”
Hudson chuckles. “There’s more, you know. Like, the wings aren’t for decoration only—you just need to figure out how to use them.”
That’s true. And Flint did offer to teach me—maybe I should take him up on those flying lessons sooner rather than later. I mean, if I can even turn back into a gargoyle again. I haven’t felt so much as a tingling over the last four days.
“I think I’ll sit the game out,” I say to the table at large, who are all still gaping at me—well, except for Flint and Macy, who are reminiscing about past Ludares tournaments. “I mean, you make it sound like so much fun, but—”
“No way!” Flint pauses with his fork in midair. “You have to play. Besides, your uncle mentioned that the prize this year is kick-ass.”
“Oh yeah?” Macy bounces excitedly. “What is it? He hasn’t even told me yet.”
“I was in his office when he got the call yesterday; that’s the only reason I know,” Flint tells her. “It looks like Byron’s parents have decided to donate the prize this year.”
“Really?” Mekhi looks surprised.
Actually, everyone at the table does. I remember Jaxon telling me Byron was the Order member whose mate was killed by a few members of Cole’s pack. Though, for a while at least, Byron seemed to think Hudson had somehow influenced the wolves to do what they did.
Hudson raises his brows. “Do I just get blamed for everyone’s deaths now?” He clenches his jaw and turns to read tomorrow’s menu posted on the wall.
“Stop taunting us and just tell us what the prize is, Flint.” Macy’s voice—a little whiny and a little annoyed—is what draws my attention back to the conversation this time.
Well, that and Jaxon shifting so that he’s pressed against my back, his chin resting on my shoulder.
I turn my face to the left so I can smile at him, and he winks back, then gives me a sexy little eyebrow raise that makes me think all kinds of things I shouldn’t be thinking about in the middle of the cafeteria—especially not when Jaxon’s brother is in my head, watching the whole thing.
“I’m not taunting you!” Flint sounds indignant now. “You guys are the ones who wouldn’t stop talking long enough for me to tell you.”
“Well, we’ve stopped talking now,” Luca says. “So spill it.”
“Byron’s parents have decided to donate…” He does a little drumroll on the dining table. “A bloodstone! And not just any bloodstone. It’s one of the queen’s favorites, from the royal collection, that she gifted his parents on the eve of his mate’s death.”
Everything inside me stills as I remember the Bloodletter telling us that she would take care of getting the bloodstone to us. This must be what she meant. A glance at Jaxon’s face tells me he thinks so, too—and that he isn’t the least bit surprised by this bit of news, either. He obviously had a good idea what the Bloodletter would do.
Which also makes his interest in playing Ludares right now—in the middle of everything we have going on—make so much more sense. If the only way to get the bloodstone is to win the tournament, then it looks like hell really has frozen over.
I just need to figure out how not to be a total burden—and, oh yeah, how not to be the first death—on the Ludares field in the history of Katmere.
49
Teamwork Makes
the Dream Work…
（or it Gives You
Nightmares）
“Hey, Jaxon, wait up.” Flint jogs up behind Jaxon, Macy, and me as we walk out of the cafeteria.
Jaxon turns, brows raised. “What’s up?”
“I was just wondering…” Flint trails off, and if I didn’t know better, I’d think he was panicking, though I don’t know why. I do know that he’s floundering, though, mouth opening and closing like he’s searching for words but has forgotten how to actually make sounds.