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RAVEN
“Can we please go to the party tonight? Pretty please?” Leila asks as soon as I step out of the house on Friday morning. No good morning or other such pleasantries, just straight to tonight's plans.
Shaking my head, I focus on her question as she links her arm through mine and the guys trail behind us. “There’s a party tonight?” I’m clearly out of the loop when it comes to anything fun.
“Yeah, and considering the week we’ve had, I’d say it’s a done deal.” She quirks an eyebrow at me, silently pleading for me to go, and I purse my lips.
Apart from Monday’s mess with my parents and the turn of events between Brax and me on Tuesday, the rest of the week has been mellow. But Monday was fucked up enough for me to nod in agreement.
“Count me in,” I say. She claps excitedly as I mentally start trying to piece an outfit together. Although a trip to the shopping district is more than likely in the cards.
“Count you in for what?” Eldon asks, tugging gently at my ponytail, but Leila answers him before I can.
“The party.”
He nods once, releasing my hair and falling into step with the others again. “Boys, we're going to the party tonight.” Groans echo from the other three, making me grin. It’s on the tip of my tongue to state that they don’t actually have to come with us if they don’t want to, but Eldon continues before I have a chance. “She’s going to look hot, quit your moaning.”
“So true,” Zane adds, and I feel my cheeks heat.
Assholes.
“They’re so into you it’s beyond amusing and all dreamy instead,” she says with a wistful sigh
I roll my eyes at her.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I deflect as we step into the academy building.
“Please. Don’t think I’m not completely aware of the real reason you and Brax disappeared from class the other day and faked an illness for the rest of your classes, only to be miraculously better the next day.” She wags her eyebrows and I hip check her. “You know it, I know it, we all know it.”
“Shut up, Leila.”
She laughs louder as we step into the classroom, only to come to an abrupt halt when we see Professor Burton waiting to address everyone.
What the fuck?
“Good morning. Filter in, everyone, we have much to do.”
I glance back at the guys, who look as confused and intrigued as I feel. We shuffle into the room but don’t take our seats like the rest of the class. A few minutes pass, no one breathing a word as we assess him talking with the professor, before he finally turns to address us again.
“It’s been brought to my attention by some of the parents that last week’s trip into the Gauntlet was, indeed, not how we usually operate. We’re aware it’s not common practice for the first years to experience the Gauntlet and they did so without having a chance to practice before some unfortunately lost their lives.” His gaze sweeps to Zane’s, making it clear who has had an issue with the process. Zane doesn’t falter under his stare and Barton quickly proceeds. “With that in mind, we’re now going to incorporate Gauntlet training into the first year’s schedule.”
A gasp of worry flickers through the group and Professor Meade, the potions teacher, quickly waves her hand. “It will be in simulator mode so we won’t lose any lives while practicing,” she says in an attempt to reassure us.
Why the fuck couldn’t they have done that last week?
“So your schedule has been adjusted to accommodate these changes, with Friday mornings now being allocated to Gauntlet training,” Professor Barton states, a pleased smile on his face. “Professor Meade has offered to aid Professor Figgins while you’re in there, so you will be in safe hands.” He nods, more to himself than anyone here, before edging toward the door. “Follow the sun, destroy the shadows, and survive another dawn.”
He’s gone in the next breath, not even waiting to hear the chorus of students say it back.
“I’m sure by now you all know where the locker rooms are,” Meade says with a knowing smile. “I’ll meet you all at the Gauntlet in a few minutes.”
The second we’re back in the hallway, I spin to the guys. “Why is this even happening?”
“I don’t know…” Eldon ponders, rubbing at his chin.
“They’re trying to prepare us for something. They’ve never done this shit before, but fuck knowswhat,exactly, it is that’s causing such a stir,” Brax adds, his words making a lot of sense. He’s right, we don’t know the whole picture.
“Has your father said anything about it, Leila?” Creed asks, and my friend shakes her head nervously as she nibbles at her lip.
