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“So much has happened since then. Damn, so much happened that day.” I shake my head in disbelief as I try to remember everything we faced so early on in the year, but it’s completely dwarfed by the bigger problems we now face. I would much rather be selfish and go back to then, though, when I was worried more about myself and not the entire fucking realm. “Can you believe you, of all people, helped me survive the Gauntlet?” I muse, glancing up to meet narrowed eyes as he grunts at me. “I bet that’s not something you ever thought you would do.” It seems I’m in a pushy mood, wanting more than the simple grunt he offered.
He shrugs. “Maybe not, but everything changed when I met you.”
“You didn’t like me,” I point out with a scoff, refusing to believe he’s going to admit that so easily after fighting against the pull between us for so long. Things have changed drastically between us, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to be all hearts, flowers, and rainbows now, where he tells me all his thoughts and feelings. Not this guy.
“I was instantly drawn to you. That was the issue.”
I gape at him, waiting for some smart comment or dig in my direction to counterbalance his statement, but nothing comes. Clearing my throat, I glance back at the Gauntlet. “Seems like a tough issue you were dealing with.”
“It was. I let Eldon in because he was my friend, and he literally took me in with his family. When we became friends with Zane and Creed, that was all him, too. I was much slower to let my guard down, and that was a long time ago. I thought I had forgotten how to do it until you waltzed in with your crazy pink hair, big personality, and no-bullshit attitude.”
Oh, he’s on a roll. “Those are some pretty big compliments.”
He cocks a brow at me, staring deep into my eyes. “Compliments?”
“From you? Definitely.” A grin tips the corner of my lips playfully, but before a full smile can spread across my face, he leans down, crushing my mouth with his in a fierce kiss that leaves me breathless.
Clinging to his tie, I hold him closer, refusing to let go until the sound of someone clearing their throat breaks through my thoughts.
“I thought we had things to do.”
We break apart, the interruption well and truly ruining our moment, but one glance at Professor Figgins as she stands awkwardly beside us with her arms folded over her chest reminds me exactly why we’re here.
“Tell me something that only you would say and not someone impersonating you.” Brax’s demand makes her eyebrow quirk in challenge, but when he doesn’t back down, she sighs, inching closer.
“Neither of our gateways worked that day in my office because of the drill siren. I will forever wish we were five minutes earlier.”
Her words ring true and my lips press together, knowing she is exactly herself. Brax must agree because he doesn’t miss a beat.
“That will do. And you’re right, We do have things to do,” Brax grunts, taking a step back as I use the moment to catch my breath. “But don’t question what we do while waiting for you to get here. Raven is the one out of all of us with the weight of the world on her shoulders. Don’t trample her for having five seconds of a reprieve from that.”
Gaping at him, I feel my cheeks heat. I’m prepared for Figgins to throw a retort back at him, but to my surprise, she nods. “You’re right.” He is? “Let’s get on with it now, shall we?” Without waiting for confirmation, she steps around Brax and me and heads through the archway, hovering on the top step of the stairs. “What are we doing here anyway?”
“Getting to the compound,” I explain, rushing past her to get to the bottom where the dome usually is.
“But I tried before I left. The gateways still aren’t working,” Figgins calls out, hurrying to keep up with us.
“We know. That’s why we’re here,” Brax adds.
There’s a coolness in the air that I don’t seem to feel anywhere but here. It’s not eerie and doesn’t leave me on edge, but it’s not soothing either. I don’t know what it is, but it lingers, that’s for sure.
Reaching the bottom, I place my hands on my hips and survey the center of the arena.
“What are you looking for?” Figgins asks, and I decide to come right out with it, hoping she knows where to find it. It’s an irritation to my ego, asking someone for help, but I’ll get over it.
“We’re trying to find the gateway that brings the magical creatures here when called upon to fight in the Gauntlet.”
Her eyes widen as uncertainty flashes across her face. She stares at me for a moment and I’m sure she’s going to bombard me with questions or refute it altogether, but after a few moments, she steps into the arena. I follow her to the center of the platform, where she reaches down, pulling at a small latch to reveal a swirling golden gateway beneath it.
“Holy fuck,” I blurt, excitement fluttering through my veins as I beam at Brax.
“How is it still here? I hadn’t even considered it to be an option,” Professor Figgins murmurs, glancing between the two of us, and I shrug.
“I was told that for security measures, it’s always generated under different wards.”
“Who told you that?” Her eyebrows are pinched slightly, almost as though she’s irritated she didn’t know the information herself.
“Does it matter, or are we going before someone finds us?” I distract, not wanting to give away too much given all the obstacles we’re trying to maneuver.
