“I watched so I know their tricks now. Plus, last time it was a real chariot race. They can’t maim or kill this time.” Dax smirks.
“Those demigods were already dead. It doesn’t count as killing them.” I point the blade at Dax.
“I didn’t mean it like that.” He holds his hands up. “You only kill when it’s necessary.”
“That was a low blow, Dax. I’m going to make you pay for that,” Raven snaps.
“I’m sorry. I said I didn’t mean it.” He takes a step back from the side of the chariot.
“No maiming, Raven.” I shake my head.
“Chariots at the ready,” Jayden shouts, cutting off their argument.
Raven shoots Dax a feral smile and moves into position, a wooden javelin in one hand and a sword in the other. “Let’s do this, bestie.”
“We’ve got this. Draven, you know what to do. Keep your eyes on the finish line. We’ll protect you.”
“For sure. We’re a team.” He nods to Jayden.
“Go,” Jayden shouts.
Raven sweeps her javelin around in a wide arc and smacks Dax off his feet with a thud. Jackson has his hands full with Brody on his other side. The sounds of wood clashing against wood fill the clearing as students fight each other to keep to the front of the pack of chariots.
“Faster, Draven,” I shout.
“I’m trying,” he grumbles.
“Beth, your side,” Raven screams as she spins, cracking Dax in the head with her javelin.
Dax tumbles from the chariot and Raven bellows a battle cry. I spin, lifting my sword to block Brody who somehow untangled himself from Jackson and snuck up behind me to box us in. My arms shake with the force of the block against a much physically stronger opponent.
“You’re not strong enough without magic.” Brody grins.
“Who said I can’t use magic? I just have to keep it to a minimum so I don’t accidentally fry your brain.” I shove his sword away and drop low in a sweeping kick that Brody sees coming and jumps over.
While he’s airborne, I jump to my feet and pour a little magic into the hilt of my blade and swing out, hitting him in the gut. Brody flies off the back of the chariot.
The crowd around the clearing cheers louder as Brody is disqualified from the race along with Dax. Both were ejected from the chariots and unable to get back on, leaving their drivers unprotected.
“Draven, we all good?” I ask.
“Yup, we’re almost at the finish.” He stares straight ahead.
“Good.” I pick up the spare javelin and sweep it out at the driver of Brody’s chariot, smacking him in the arm.
With a yelp he drops the reins, and his horses turn the chariot closer to me. We’re going to crash if he doesn’t get hold of them again. I hold up a hand to show the horses the sparkling lightning on my fingers, and they buck on their hind legs before turning and fleeing in the opposite direction.
The driver and the remaining shield grapple with the reins to get the horses under control again but it’s too late. We cross the finish line to thunderous applause from the crowd watching.
“That was badass, B. You showed my idiot brothers who the real champion is.” Raven wraps an arm around my shoulders.
“Those chariot races are absolute chaos. That’s why you like them, isn’t it?” I laugh.
“Of course that’s why and also brute strength and war strategy.” Raven jumps from the chariot.
“You did amazing, love.” Jayden walks up and pulls me into his arms. “There’s still one last part of the funeral ritual.”
“The funeral feast?” I ask and my stomach growls.
