Page 116 of Echoes of the Banshee

And again.

Sloane and Mavis grab her under the arms, dragging her toward the exit as she shouts clumsy love poetry at the nearest goblin.

The moment she’s gone, the cafeteria claps. I sink into my seat, heart hammering.

“Too far?” I ask Benson quietly.

He leans forward, arms resting on the table. “What if one of them… doesn’t reject her?”

“They can’t,” I say. “It’s in the curse. She’ll be rejected every time.”

He watches Anita through the doors, then looks at me.

“You’re terrifying,” he says with a crooked smile, then adds softly, “Thank you.” We sit in silence for a moment before he says, “Did you have to tell everyone I’m packing?”

“You’re not?” I tease, finally cracking a genuine smile.

“You’re unbelievable.” He laughs, leaning back in his seat and crossing his arms. “Zair is going to kill me.”

“Why would Zair kill you?” I ask, confused.

Benson shakes his head, still grinning. “Because now everyone’s going to think you’re with me and for… well, those reasons.”

I cock an eyebrow, feigning curiosity. “What do you mean by ‘those reasons’?”

“You know,” he says, motioning vaguely toward himself. “The whole… well-endowed goblin thing.” He chuckles, and I can’t help but laugh too.

“Oh, please,” I smirk. “As if Zair doesn’t already know you’re a catch. You just went from ‘suspiciously quiet goalie’ to ‘legendary love machine’ in less than ten minutes. I bet you’ll have the human sandwich in no time. The real question is, will you be the bread or the filling?”

He groans, leaning forward, head in his hands. “I hate you. You’re the worst.”

“You love me and I’m the best,” I joke. “Bet you’re wishing you sat anywhere else.” I smirk as Mavrik walks over with his tray of food.

“I don’t know, I hear this table can make a man,” Mavrik jokes and I scoot over to let him sit beside me.

“Benson, do you know Mavrik?” I ask.

“You’re the shadow weaver, right?” Benson tips two fingers in greeting.

“Damn those are some big hands,” Mavrik jokes and I see Benson blush. I reach over and steal a few of Mavrik’s fries.

“Hey!” he complains.

“Benson stole my pizza.” I turn and look at him. “You owe me pizza, good pizza!”

We all fall into easy conversation, despite everything that’s happened to me. This second chance… it feels amazing. Like even if I don’t find Lazlo, I’ve found something more important: myself.

He gave this to me. And for the first time in a long time, I don’t feel lost.

Zair

The Goblin Queen’s Fan Club

Coach called the forwards in for an extra practice session after our normal drills. Hours of running, shooting, and sweating have left me exhausted and starving. I finally head to the showers, my muscles sore from the grueling session. Once I get dressed, I grab my phone, hoping to see a text from Thea.

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