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“Leave? Ha! You act like I’d ever missthisshow.”
Casper, who was standing over Sophia, shook his head, clearly irritated. “I wouldn’t care about you being here if youcould understand that Ididn’tsell her off. I did what I had to do to ensure her safety.”
Sell me off?Sophia thought to herself as she began focusing on their conversation, trying to pick up on what it was that they were arguing about.
“Withthatbrute?”
“He’s not going to hurt her.”
“Seriously, brother?” Conall scoffed. “Sure, whatever you say.”
Sophia coughed into her palm, distracting them from their brotherly disagreement. “Sorry, I lost myself for a moment.” She was slightly embarrassed over what happened to her. She hadn’t lost herself to that memory in decades.
Casper brought his attention to Sophia, bringing a soft hand to her cheek as he warmly smiled at her. “But you’re back now.” His voice was soft again, soothing.
Sophia sat forward. “I was back in-”
“I know. You don’t have to say it,” Casper cut her off before she could say anything about the memory she had just succumbed to. It was probably best that she didn’t speak of it, or else risk drifting from reality again.
“Thank you.” Back when Sophia was first brought to Elaron she had regularly lost herself to that memory. Thankfully, Casper was around for most of those early experiences and had grown used to her attacks, so he knew exactly where she had mentally checked out to tonight.
Though her panicked fits were once common occurrences, they didn’t happen to her anymore. Over the years she grew in both body and mind, coming to believe those days were long behind her.
How could she have allowed herself to fall back into that? She felt so ashamed. She wasstrongnow. Wasn’t she? She should have control over her own mind. But shedidn’ttoday.“I’m sorry about what happened.” She felt the need to apologize, remembering how troubling her episodes always were to those around her. “I don’t know why… I’ve been good for so long.”
But today she faltered.
Casper ran a strong palm against his forehead. “It happened because you signed up for this ridiculous tournament.” The calmness in his voice vanished, his frustration returning. “I just don’t get-” He abruptly stopped speaking, preventing himself from saying anything more.
Sophia narrowed her eyes. Yes, she was ashamed about what happened earlier this night. However, innoway should it give Casper an excuse to grow even more upset about her participating in these games. “Go on. I’m listening,” she encouraged him to continue, firmly crossing her arms over her chest.
Signing up for this tournament was the right decision, andnothingcould lead her to think otherwise. The memory that had taken her from reality was a memory of her parents desperate for help. Sure, she might have lost her mind briefly… but it was only a reminder that sheneededto compete in and win The Elaron Games. The lives of her parents depended on her winning. She’d sign the tournament’s contract one hundred more times if she had to. No question about it.
“No, I promised I wouldn’t continue to be upset about this any longer. What’s done is done.” Though his aggressive tone eased up a bit, she could still hear the strain in his voice as he struggled to hold back from admitting how they both knew he truly felt. He was obviously upset and trying to hide that fact, which was perfectly fine with her. He could keep his disapproval to himself. She didn’t need to hear it, because nothing would stop her from competing. Even if therewasa way to get out of this tournament, she wouldn’t take it.
“You’re obviously upset, but whatever. Let’s move on.”
He stiffly nodded, still restraining himself.
“On another note,” Conall spoke up, reminding Sophia that he was still in the room. “Are you going to tell her the news now or what? Sure, I might have forgotten the popcorn, but that doesn’t mean I’m not ready for the show.”
Sophia looked over to Conall, eyeing him curiously. He simply winked at her as he mouthedwait for it.
Casper didn’t answer Conall, so Sophia asked, “What’s the news, Casper?” Between Casper’s silence and Conall’s mischievous grin she began to grow a bit anxious.
Casper blew out a breath, looking down at his feet rather than at her. “I made a deal to keep you safe.” His voice was low, and he sounded uneasy, which was so unlike him.
Suddenly, Sophia’s stomach began to churn as she began to expect the worst. Though she had no idea what that ‘worst’could possibly be.
“What deal?”
“This is going to be good,” Conall lowly commented.
“What deal, Casper? And look at me when you answer,” she demanded of him. Watching him look at the ground was far too nerve wrecking for her.
Uneasily looking up, he began to explain, “Every competitor will be separated into teams of three for the next few days. You will have to stick with the team you pick until these team challenges come to an end.” Sophia tried not to drop her jaw. This was news to her. In the past, The Elaron Games always consisted of one on one duels andnothingelse. Which meant she only expected to duel with others in this tournament. That was what shetrainedfor. One on one. Anything more she wasn’t prepared for! She wasn’t prepared for this!
I’m unprepared, but I’ll figure it the fuck out,she determined. Knowing the lives of her parents were in her hands was enough to keep her strong. “It sounds like you’re saying Ihave to pick my own team and that’s the team I’ll be partnered with for a few days. Am I right?”
