Page 20 of Finding Little Fiera

That was her cue. Fiera surged forward, scanning the area for Wren and Daisy. At least, she tried, but strong arms locked around her waist.

“Ah-ah-ah,” Master Mace said calmly.

She let out an indignant grunt and stomped her foot. She’d never stomped her foot before, but really. “Daddy! I walked all the way here, just like you said!”

He chuckled, low and warm against her ear. “You did, and I’m very proud of you. But before you race willy-nilly around the field, you have a new rule to follow.”

Don’t be sassy. Don’t be sassy.

“Did you really just say willy-nilly, Daddy? What does that even mean?”

He didn’t miss a beat. “I’m not sure. Would you like to sit beside me while I look it up on my phone?”

“No!” She sighed dramatically, but she stilled, even though every muscle in her body buzzed with pent-up energy. “What’s the new rule?”

“No taking off your sunglasses,” he said firmly. “Not for any reason. You get tagged, you get tagged. You trip, you trip. But those sunglasses stay on.”

She nodded before he finished speaking. “That’s not a new rule, but okay!”

He narrowed his eyes. “That was too fast.”

“I promise,” she insisted, already bouncing on her toes. “I won’t take them off.” She must have satisfied him, at least for now, because he finally released her.

She shot across the field in a blur of motion.

Running felt like flying. The sun was bright but manageable behind her dark lenses, the air warm, and her lungs burned in the best way. She zigzagged through bodies, darted around trees, and laughed until her sides hurt. This was who she was. Fast and reckless and alive.

Then her sunglasses slipped down the bridge of her nose.

She shoved them up mid-sprint. They slid back down. And again. And again.

When they finally tumbled off entirely, skittering across the grass, she skidded to a stop with a growl, scooped them up, and immediately felt a hand slap her shoulder.

“Tagged!” Daisy called as she ran past, laughing.

“Ugh!” Fiera snapped, standing frozen in place, waiting for someone to run by and unfreeze her. It was all the stupid sunglasses’ fault. She shoved the sunglasses into her back pocket, irritation buzzing hot under her skin. They were stupid, anyway.

Sadie swung by moments later and tapped her. “Unfreeze!”

Fiera bolted. Unfortunately, her path took her straight into the sun. White exploded behind her eyes, blinding her. Panic flared, and she cut hard to avoid being tagged again, only to collide full force with another girl. Their heads collided with a sickening crack.

The world spun. Fiera hit the ground hard, stars bursting across her vision as she groaned. “Ow…”

“Hey!” the other girl snapped, clutching her forehead. “You ran into me on purpose! You had your eyes closed!”

“I did not!” Fiera protested, mortified, tears stinging her eyes.

Master Mace was there in seconds, kneeling beside her, hands gentle but firm as he checked her head. “Easy, babygirl. Look at Daddy.”

She did. Or tried to. Everything felt fuzzy.

“She did it on purpose,” the girl insisted. “She wasn’t even looking!”

The girl’s Daddy appeared by her side. “Let’s take a look at you, Laura. We can work out who is to blame once we know everyone is all right.”

Master Mace’s voice stayed calm, but steel underpinned it now. “Fiera.”

Fiera squirmed, embarrassed to be the center of attention, with a throbbing head and now defensive. Was he taking another girl’s side against her? “I didn’t mean to!”