My heart raced as I pushed aside all thoughts of last night and my false promise to Ronin. Immortals hadn't showed up here since I started classes, with the exception of Zeus ordering me to train with Ronin. Once dressed and with my hair sort of combed, I joined Maria in the hall, glad to see her eyes sparkling. She'd shoved last night aside, too. For now.

  I could breathe. Though Ronin wasn't anywhere—it was Wednesday—we headed down to breakfast among blue, green, and black robes. Other students chattered, but I didn't pick up any individual conversations. Maria pulled me towards the front doors, which were propped open and letting in the super cold, frosty air.

  She was right. I counted not a few, but ten limos parked out front around the Cursed Academy fountain. Frost was already settling on some of the windshields as the sun wasn't completely up yet, and I spotted suited limo drivers standing in front of each car, gloved hands folded. One of the men looked normal--probably a shifter of some sort--while a woman had a spider marking on her forehead, which oddly matched with her black suit. And one of the limo drivers standing at attention had a thick forehead and a single eye in the middle.

  He turned away to speak to another driver. Hopefully before Maria saw.

  “You think it's the Olympians?” someone asked behind me and Maria.

  I whirled. A second year guy in a blue robe tried to peek over us. And Maria was facing him.

  “Well, there are ten limos, and Hades never shows up to anything,” another second year guy said. He was a good-looking boy, maybe a year older than me, and very tall and blond. “Zeus is off in China trying to get richer, so he's not here. Even a god can't be in two places at once.”

  “Shh,” a third guy told him. “Don't let them hear you say that.”

  “I bet it's inspections. The gods do them once a year and then dish out funding, or something,” the tall guy said. “They watch all the classes and have a big meeting afterwards.”

  I gulped, already searching the halls for Prometheus. I was his chance to impress the Olympians themselves. He'd expect me to help with that. “I've got to skip class,” I said to Maria and Mikey.

  Maria grasped my wrist. “Well, you have to skip Combat Training. We'll find you a place to hide."

  "Oh, crap.” Mikey frowned, looking over my shoulder.

  “He's behind me, isn't he?” I mouthed as the air warmed.

  “Giselle!” Prometheus said, all friendly behind me. The second years backed off as he spoke. “We're having a surprise inspection today. I want everyone to perform at their best and help their school.”

  I whirled. Prometheus held me in that green-flecked stare and a smile grew up his cheeks. Suddenly, he looked both ancient and young. But the tension that was there whenever Zeus was around had gone away. The titan looked hopeful. Maybe even almost happy. This was what he meant when he said I'd bring good things to Cursed. If the gods saw that a budding immortal went here, they'd have to increase funding.

  Pressure settled on my shoulders.

  “I will,” I said.

  “I know your weapon isn't the greatest. I've talked to Ronin about bringing you a new one for today. Something that fits you better.” The warmth remained in the air as I backed into Maria and Mikey. As if sensing my fear, Prometheus shook his head at me. “Is there a problem, Giselle?”

  “I'm...I'm just nervous when I'm this close to immortals,” I blurted. Perfect. That sounded like me.

  “Funny you should say that,” the titan said, rocking on his black shoes. He'd put on a different pair today. A black pair that he must have spent a fortune on. So I focused on those. “You students will be having Combat Training in front of several Olympians today.”

  “Um, yikes?” Mikey asked.

  “No kidding,” Maria said.

  “Well, after you graduate, you'll need to be ready for anything,” the principal told my friends. “Pressure is, unfortunately, a part of life.”

  He had talked to Ronin. That hadn't been pleasant for Ronin in the slightest.

  And then the left us standing there, staring at each other. I watched as the principal moved on to warn other students gathered in the corridor. When he stopped at a group of fourth years, I turned away.

  “A different weapon?”

  "Ronin won't bring over your real one," Mikey hissed.

  "You sure?"

  "Certain. He doesn't want you going dark." Mikey winked. "Come on. Breakfast."

  A bit of anger bubbled up. What was I thinking? I knew Ronin had kept me from training for my own good. This whole thing was just temporary. But showing the gods what I could do would increase my chances of a transfer to Olympian, right? One of them would find a way to break the Oath. They had a better chance of doing that than I did.

  I could barely eat.

  “Okay, first years!” Ronin shouted from the other side of the dining hall.

  I snapped my gaze to him. He wasn't supposed to be here today, but there he was in his white toga uniform, holding up both gloved hands. People went silent. Once Ronin was sure he had everyone's attention, he spoke again, looking right at me.

  “Consider this Combat Training you are about to enter practice for your final exam,” he said. Ronin winked at me. “Ten Olympians will be watching. Perform at your best, and you may win more funding for your awesome school. More funding may mean laxer rules, field trips, and maybe even some extra spending money for all of you.”

  A few people applauded, but there was no joy in it. The fourth years all just glared. It was clear they'd heard this spiel before and it had never worked out.

  I couldn't eat anymore. Getting up, I walked up to Ronin, not caring that everyone could see. Since Zeus left to go deal with business, he'd still been trailing me on some days from class to class, making sure I didn't trip and die. It was a sight people had gotten used to.

  “What did you do?” I asked.

  “You get to borrow my sword today. And don't get any ideas from that, baby.”

  “Ronin!” I blushed. “Your birthright weapon?”

  “Well, your awesome principal ordered me to get you something better than that stick you've been fighting with. He wants you to shine today, thinking the gods will take pity on him for once. Trust me, they won't. But the titan holds out hope.”

  “I can't use your sword,” I said.

  Ronin let a grin tease the side of his lips. “Well, I technically did as Prometheus said. I brought you a better weapon.”

  I didn't know how to feel. "Look, I've tried to handle the other birthright weapons before. You know what happens. It's worse than when I handle that staff.” Anger pumped into my limbs, carrying some of that icy plasma with it. I'd humiliate myself in front of the gods, the ones who could probably help me the most.

  Ronin frowned and moved like he'd grab my arms, but he held back. “Giselle, this isn't what you think. These inspections. You'll see what they're really about."

  I thought of the black, angry lines along my arms in the vision. The alien look my flesh had taken. Part of me didn't want to believe Ronin's words. “This school has never had someone like me, though.”

  Ronin looked down. “I know. Things shouldn't have to be this way. I hate this, Giselle. You shouldn't have to become the monster you saw.”

  “I will if I stay here.”

  Ronin licked his perfect lips. “Your real weapon would put you on a dark path today. What else could I do?"

  He had a point. Disappointment flooded me. "Taken." I hiccupped. Yay, I could hiccup in front of ten immortals and it was going to suck.

  Maria and Mikey rose from the table like afterthoughts. I'd forgotten that they, too, needed to impress people. Well, I wouldn't end up killing today—maybe.

  Ronin vanished into the crowd. People stared after him and whispered. People also stared at me. Not good. We hadn't even touched each other. I hurried along with Maria and Mikey a few minutes later. First years were lined up at the closed back doors, which was unusual, and Ronin stood in front of the them with his arms spread, blocking anyone from leaving. The two dozen of us crowded in the narrow corridor, waiting for him to let us out.

  “What is the deal?” Serena asked.

  “The Olympians are here,” Wendy told her. “Get your facts straight. I bet they'll appreciate a good, professional entrance.” She'd curled her hair today. Yes, Wendy had curled her hair.

  And as I stopped at the end of the line, she flicked her gaze to me and away again.

  Ronin's phone buzzed, and he pulled it out, looked at it, and nodded to us. “Single file, class.” He rammed the back doors open with his strength alone.

  We did as he said, following Ronin past the rent-a-guards and down the frosty, gravel trail. The walk seemed to take forever and my heart leapt into my chest. Maria and Mikey had no words. Now wasn't the time to talk.

  As we made our right turn and approached the arena, I spotted Prometheus standing out front, which was intimidating in itself, and once we crossed into the arena, things just got worse. The air thickened so much with magical energy I could barely breathe. My skin prickled over every inch. Storms of different feelings swept over me. I wanted to punch Wendy. I also wanted to shove my way to the front of the line and kiss Ronin. The next second, I wanted to go to a party, and the next, staying single sounded great. The entire world seemed to glow.

  Then I saw why I was having record mood swings. Ten people, all dressed in formal wear, sat in padded chairs at the side of the arena. Golden-flecked, powerful eyes turned in our direction. All gods. Most of the Olympians. These were ten of the most powerful immortals in the world. My breath escaped. I couldn't believe these beings had ever been dormant or turned away from in the past. The gods commanded attention just by being here. An orbit of attendants, all in black suits, stood around them. A centaur carried a jug of nectar, waiting to pour it into glasses. Two women who appeared normal, but were probably descendants of dark gods, stood by while holding extra cushions for the gods' chairs. And three Cyclopes, two men and one woman, stood by with spears. Personal bodyguards.

  Some of the first years stared at the ground as they filed into the arena.

  Though Zeus wasn't present, I recognized his wife, Hera, seated in the middle of the others, between two female attendants in gray uniforms. She wore an elegant lavender pantsuit which contrasted with her auburn hair and green eyes. As we paraded in, she flicked her sharp gaze over all of us. And then she just raked Ronin with her stare. Oh, yeah. Ronin wouldn't be here if Zeus hadn't cheated on her. Awkward.

  I dared to study the other gods. The super buff guy with the dark hair and the military uniform must be Ares. He was head of the Olympian Guard and a top advisor for a bunch of militaries. He stared straight ahead as if at attention. I recognized Athena in her brown pantsuit and spectacles. Her picture was plastered all over the back of our course books.

  After glancing at the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen--probably Aphrodite, who sat beside Ares--Maria pulled me back. I realized we were getting into a long purple line.

  “I've never even seen Hades,” Wendy hissed to Serena. “I was hoping he'd be here.”

  The disappointment in her words shocked me for two seconds, but fear crushed that right after. Once in line, facing the gods and far away enough so I could breathe, I was able to really look at them. Yeah, the bearded guy with the grape leaf lapel on his suit was Dionysus, all right. Apollo practically gave off an aura of light that I could see and not see, if that made sense. He waved at us, grinning, and reminded me of Ronin's friend Cal in an instant. A really sour-looking woman sat at the end, and I took a minute to realize it must be Demeter. I'd heard she was always grumpy during the winter. My mood dropped just by looking at her, and Mikey tugged on my sleeve.

  “We all know the gods can mess with our moods," he hissed. “I'm finding it's better if you don't face them directly.”

  Yeah. Achlys hadn't even been a major goddess and she'd done a number on an entire town. I briefly glanced at a very young-looking goddess and a god with a heavily scarred face before turning my gaze to the ground.

  Ronin took his position in front of us, arms at his sides and back to us first years. “Welcome, Olympians,” he said, keeping his ruined, gloved hands behind his back. “This is our current First Years' Combat Training program. Our students have begun preparing for end of year exams.”

  Prometheus paraded into the room, gait full of hope. His shoes made gentle scrapes on the dirt below. He stood in front of Ronin as heat filled the air. Ronin backed off. Clearly this was a silent message. How many immortals were against Ronin, anyway? Two of them had him on their shit list just because his dad was Zeus.

  “Yes. Welcome to Cursed Academy's Marchamp Campus,” Prometheus said. “We are honored that you chose to come here first before inspecting Olympian. As you requested, you will witness our talented first years dueling one another for a prize.”

  Silent tension flowed through our line. The gods offered scattered applause.

  We'd never done that before. I turned to look over my shoulder, to where the weapons rack normally stood. Others looked, too.

  A central pillar stood in the arena today with an obviously plastic, cheap, gold-painted trophy resting on it. It looked like something you'd buy at a dollar store, and instantly the sight filled me with sadness. Ronin's words came back to me. This had to be a joke, right? The gods were going to watch us fight for a piece of junk I wouldn't take if it were free.

  Beside me, a girl named Tiffany sighed. Even Wendy hung her head.

  “I know the prize is not much,” Prometheus said, regret filling his words. “But you have to remember that this is a mock fight, and your first true arena battle. Show us all of your skill. Do not hold back. The last person standing with that trophy shall be the winner. And...and I make a oath on the River Styx that the winner will win a free weekend off campus to do whatever they like.”

  I snapped my gaze to the principal. People gasped.

  A free weekend? Off campus? For first years?

  I'd only been off campus twice since arriving here. Now, with the increased security, he had a real prize he could dangle in front of us. In front of me. Prometheus was taking a risk. I was to impress the gods and win us some cash.

  Ronin snapped his gaze back at me. I could read his eyes. Oh, no. To say the least. And he glared a warning at me. Now was not the time to whip out my powers.

  I took my gaze from Ronin and looked at Apollo, the friendliest-looking god sitting in front of us. He smiled again. He was warm. Encouraging.

  But would he be if I killed someone?

  Ronin took his gaze off me, not daring to waste another minute. "First years. To your birthright weapons!"

  I had never seen Ronin's birthright weapon before, but it was obvious as soon as I laid eyes on it. A shining sword, brightest in the sun, hung beside the stick I had been using for all of my Combat Training. People gasped and muttered at the sight. Wendy rushed to the weapons rack at the side of the arena, searching for her terrifying sword, but it was nowhere to be found. Ronin had come through for me on that too. But would it make things any better?

  "Surround the trophy," Ronin shouted. "Do not yet begin. Everyone, with your weapons!"

  Ronin's sword had a lightning bolt on the handle. I was shocked I'd never seen him with it. Wendy eyed the stick I normally used, face falling. I was tempted to let her humiliate herself, but Ronin meant me to use this blade. He might be trying to help me get over to Olympian in any way he could. And if I showed the gods I was like their favorite students--who else would have a weapon like this--then I might have a chance. Especially in front of Apollo.

  So I raced ahead and seized the sword.

  A shock jolted through my hands as if reminding me that I had no business handling this weapon--only a descendant of Zeus did--and the blade also felt heavy in my grasp, unnatural, and clumsy. Wendy snarled at me as I left her standing there at the rack. Maria eyed her club for a moment, hesitant, before picking it up and proceeding to the ring of students forming around the plastic trophy. Mikey took his tiny dagger as he grimaced at me. Fear lit his features. He did not want to go all Siren on somebody today.

  "Shall we begin, already?" Hera asked, voice filling the arena. She sounded like silk with a razor underneath. "Ronin?" She slashed with that one word.

  "Positions!" Ronin boomed.

  Struggling to hold the sword, I walked to join the circle of students, getting between Mikey and Maria. They both looked at me like I was crazy. And on the other side of the ring, Wendy joined. And she was holding the stupid stick I used. It was the only weapon left for her.

  "How?" Maria hissed at me.

  "I don't know," I mouthed, pretending that the gods weren't all staring at me and the very un-Cursed Academy like weapon. Whispers exchanged between Dionysus and a bearded man in a blue suit I figured was Poseidon. Hera eyed Prometheus, who remained standing with his hands behind his back. The titan worked his jaw.

  And I sensed trouble brewing.

  What had Ronin done?

  Ronin stepped away from the gods, shuffling quickly over to face us. Once Wendy had stepped into line and drawn stares from everyone, Ronin clapped. "Begin!"

  I lifted the sword, grunting, as it sent another shock down my arms. Yeah, this weapon didn't like me. The electricity raced under my skin, burning, begging me to drop the sword and humiliate myself already. But Apollo's nod urged me to race for that trophy, and I ran. The arena turned into purple-robed people racing for the prize, making fools of themselves with maces, staffs and clubs.

  "Go!" Dionysus shouted.

  Serena cast out her black whip and snatched the trophy off the pedestal. People groaned, but the fight had only just begun. She hugged the plastic trophy to her chest while Wendy stopped behind her, trying to hide. But then Maria plowed right into Serena, throwing her into the pillar. The trophy fell from Serena's grasp.

  "Out!" Ronin shouted, approaching the fight. "Serena! You are done!"

  The trophy rolled towards a guy named Stefan, who elbowed Mikey out of the way. Mikey fell onto his side. Ronin shook his head at him and thumbed him out of the arena. Two other guys tackled Stefan, who dropped a jagged dagger, to the dirt.

 

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