Page 208 of The Mortal Trials

I didn’t realize the two of them had become so friendly.

Niall shifts uncomfortably. “Callalie, this is Veronia. Veronia, this is Callalie.”

I offer my wrist, ready to take hers, but she doesn’t lift her hand.

“You’re still unchampioned,” she says distastefully instead.

I let my hand fall to my side.

As much as I want to hate this girl, I appreciate her candor. At least she doesn’t try to conceal her hatred. She won’t be a false friend, because she won’t be a friend at all. “Who selected you?”

She raises her chin. “My champion is Devana the huntress, Slavic goddess of the wilderness.”

She stares at me expecting… what? Applause? A fight? I’m happy to disappoint.

“Well, it’s been a pleasure,” I lie when I notice Koda standing alone nearby wearing not ivory, but a daring shade of red.

Koda’s hands are clasped behind his back. His face brightens when he notices me approaching. “Callalie!” he greets, stretching his back to stand a little taller.

“Red looks incredible on you, Koda.” I hug him when he opens his arms in invitation. Relief courses through me. He’s been chosen and now has one less obstacle to overcome.

Koda will make it to the games if we can get him through the trials.

He beams as I pull away. “You look lovely, Callalie.”

“Who’s your champion?”

His eyes sparkle. He taps a finger to his shirt, hinting. He wears crimson slacks and a matching dashiki with embroidery flowing over his shoulders and down the center of his chest. In the black thread, webs are woven and spiders crawl.

My jaw drops. “Anansi?”

“You’re as clever as Carina was!” he laughs. “I figured you’d recognize his handiwork.”

Anansi is a trickster god, and while I’m excited that Koda attracted him, I’m also nervous. In the tales I’ve heard he’s smart, cunning, and sometimes selfish. But who knows? Anansi’s tricks may come in handy. This is a game, after all.

“I’m so happy for you,” I tell him.

Anansi was waiting for him on the landing earlier this evening and immediately offered to champion him.

I don’t see the trickster. “Is he inside?”

Koda points to the temple’s billowing fabric. “He is, but I wanted to wait for you.”

I understand why Carina loved this man. “Who helped you climb the stairs?” He nods to Niall, still standing with the wretched Veronia. “Was his sweet friend with him?”

His smile thins. “Unfortunately.”

Niall and Veronia assess everyone who passes them like they are allies making a game plan. And then I realize they are.

August strides from around the temple’s side, raking fingers through his wind-tousled, golden hair. Our pale clothing still matches.

He congratulates Koda on his new champion with a broad smile. Koda makes him guess who it is, too, offering me a proud wink when he taps his shirt’s embroidered pattern again.

August’s sleeves are rolled to his elbows, revealing veined forearms. The buttons closest to his neck are undone to reveal a toned chest. At each of his sides, the shirt is slit. Slivers of tan skin can be seen when he moves to clasp wrists with Koda and happily claps his back. His matching linen pants catch the breeze. A simple pair of leather sandals rests on his feet.

I lean in. “I met our friend in lavender.”

Koda and August immediately glance over at her. She notices and sneers back in reply.