The arena was hushed as everyone leaned forward to hear better.
I leaned back.
“The High Court works with the leaders of realms to guard and protect these points of entry. This phenomenon has occurred hundreds of times in history, and in most cases, it is not a problem,” Lyla said calmly. “Until it is.”
Another wave crashed against the shore.
The tide pulled it back before it could get away.
Wind stung my cheeks.
Lyla’s voice had a dark edge. “The universe is infinite, and the location of all portals is unknown. When Red Giant 46B3 exploded three centuries ago, it forced open a portal to a realm that contained a sentient species. This opening allowed them to stream into other realms within the High Court’s jurisdiction.”
I took a deep breath.
“The species is called the ungodly, and they have infested multiple realms. Attempts to reason with them and eliminate infestations have been unsuccessful. They have taken over a realm and are on track to wipe out all civilization as we know it, if they are not stopped.”
The sea shimmered crimson as light sparkled across water.
It was pretty.
“The gods are bound by higher oaths to protect all sentient life,” Lyla’s soft voice rang across the silent arena. “Unfortunately, in this case, that includes the ungodly. Their hands are tied.”
People blanched and whispered.
Staggered.
Lyla paused, then said, “But the gods have not invested in our realms just to watch us fall. Gods cannot kill. But we serve them, and we can.”
Her green hair glowed. “Today I will announce the players in this war. Tomorrow they will lead armies.” Her voice rose. “Today I will name their roles. Tomorrow they will stand in front of our civilization and protect us from this threat. Today they pick up the mantle of leadership. Tomorrow, they bleed to defend us all.”
Another wave crashed.
Foam gripped the rocks as it clung desperately to land and as it was dragged violently back into the churning sea.
“Behold these men and women!” Lyla flung her arms wide in our direction.
Students clapped thunderously as they gave us a standing ovation.
Legions shuffled into straighter lines as everyone stood taller. Pulled back their chests with pride.
I hunched lower. Blew out a smoking crow that settled on my shoulder. Talons stabbed through cloth and pinched my skin.
“First, the gods viewed the showcase as a success. The gods have chosen the shifter legion and academy legion to be their champions, with the understanding that the child will be separated from the kings on the battlefield.”
The cheering increased, and it reminded me of the screams of the dying.
I looked over at where Jinx was holding on to Jax’s back.
The child was Jinx and she would never see a battlefield if I had anything to say about it. From the way the shifters were glaring at Lyla, they agreed with me.
Lyla waved her hands wide. “Next, the angel legion has been named the generals. They will work closely with the champions to coordinate the war efforts.”
I imagined the ocean on fire.
Bloodred flames burning across the horizon.
“The next three teams will work specifically within their designations. The assassin legion will lead the spies. The devil legion will lead the assassins, and the leviathan team will lead the foot soldiers. All the legions will answer directly to the champions, who will work directly with the representatives of the gods.”
My right eyelid twitched.
She described the structure of a classic war machine.
The type designed to keep everyone close enough to commit atrocities but far enough away from one another to shield culpability.
Those at the top doing most of the former with the least of the latter. Wonderful.
I stared at the ocean.
Lyla smiled broadly. “That concludes the Legionnaire Games. Congratulations everyone. Students and competitors can mingle and rejoice. Well done.”
Pop. Pop. Pop.
Bullets exploded and adrenaline pounded through my chest.
I froze.
But there was no scent of gunpowder. No gore.
Enchanted fireworks sparkled all around, and students cheered and streamed onto the field.
Bodies everywhere.
Competitors moved around me as they congratulated one another and gossiped about the war.
Frozen in time, I dissociated from myself.
Colors and textures disappeared.
Everything blurred.
A soft hand on my neck pulled me down, and I broke my staring contest with the ocean.
Large ruby eyes leaned close to my face.
“Thanks for saving Jinx,” Sadie whispered brokenly. “They showed us the film, and I can’t believe we came so close to losing her.”
I inhaled enchanted smoke and exhaled slowly. “It wasn’t like I had a choice,” I mumbled.
Sadie threw her arms around me and buried her head in my shoulder. She trembled against me as tears soaked my sweatshirt, and she whispered softly, “I don’t want to go to war.”
I held her tighter. “Same, bitch.”
“I’m too pretty for war,” she whined.
I nodded in agreement and said sarcastically, “Military uniforms have never been my style. I don’t have the boobs for a slutty soldier look. It will make me look too boxy.”
Sadie gasped on a watery sob. “I just want to read smutty books and have family dinners. Maybe stab a couple of people who deserve it and call it a day. Not lead a war.”
She cried harder, and I shook.
“Don’t laugh at me,” she wailed pathetically.
I couldn’t hold back the noise that exploded from my lips. “Sorry, I know it’s a serious moment.”
Sadie sobbed louder. “We’re all gonna die.”
“That is the goal. Why are you crying so violently?” I asked between chuckles.
“This is not helping, Aran,” Sadie whined pitifully. “I’m trying to have a moment.”
I snorted. “Is this because you’re technically not the only champion anymore? Are you having a pity party because you’re not special?”
“A little bit.” Sadie smiled against my shoulder.
We chuckled at the joke as we hugged each other like touch alone could save us.
“Can you two stop embarrassing me?” Jinx snapped her fingers in my face. “Seriously, people are looking, and I’m tired of being asked if my mothers are lunatics.”
We pulled back to stare up at her.
Jax grinned down at us as he gave Jinx a piggyback. Where her leg had been was a stump with a white bandage, but other than that, she looked healthy and hale.
Well, as healthy as a five-foot-tall emaciated pale maniac could look.
“People think we’re your mothers. Me and Aran?” Sadie asked incredulously. “They actually think the two of us created you?”
If looks could kill, Jinx would have annihilated her on the spot.
Jinx spoke slowly like she was talking to idiots. “Yes, because you spread the rumor yourself.”
Sadie’s eyes widened. “But they actually believe it?”
“Yes,” Jinx said through gritted teeth.
Sadie slowly turned around and lowered her forehead against my shoulder. She burst into sobs. “That’s so beautiful.”
Clearly, she was not handling the thought of war well. Sadie wailed loudly, and I patted her back awkwardly.