Chapter 18

Eighteen

Even though we plot well into the night, we don't come up with anything concrete, but I still feel better with a semi-solid plan in place. The two key components are to dig up some dirt on at least one of the council members and figure out why they are pushing Becks to mate so early. If we can work out their motives, we might come up with a way to change their minds. And if that doesn't work we'll have the blackmail to fall back on.

Up until now Becks has always been completely respectful of dragon shifter secrecy, but the pressure of the arranged life-mating hanging over his head is too much for him, and he finally cracks. I tell them about the book I "borrowed" from the Emporium. I've already been over it from front to back and can't think of anything that will help the situation, but Becks says he's going to try to "borrow" more material to research.

Things don't exactly go back to normal between Becks and me over the next couple of weeks, but I'm starting to wonder if maybe that's not a bad thing. It's almost impossible to ignore the charged space between us whenever we are together. Becks still walks me to and from my classes, and it doesn't go unnoticed by fellow classmates. I'm no longer treated like a pariah by the general student body. Our lunch ritual has also changed. Shayla and her boyfriend, Owen, now sit with us most days. The initial interest after the last trial also cools off to a normal amount of attention, so I'm still adjusting but not as overwhelmed throughout the day.

I haven't talked to Talon since the day Becks tried to fight him, but I sometimes catch his eye from across the hallway or courtyard at lunch. His face is usually thoughtful, and when he notices me staring back, he doesn't look away. Becks still tenses anytime he spots Talon but doesn't say or do anything. I know he's secretly pleased I haven't talked to him though, and I tell myself I'm not purposefully staying away from Talon because of Becks, but that's pretty much a lie.

The Chaos tracker has remained suspiciously quiet for almost a full two weeks. Life seems to be settling into a new normal, and if it wasn't for the lack of progress we've made in Becks' life-mating issue, I'd say I was something close to content.

Just like Mr. Brone said, I haven't been able to find any more literature about Shadow Striker, but the information he told me when I visited his shop settles my reservations about being able to use Shadow Striker safely. Even so, I'm starting to think that maybe I don't need Shadow Striker after all. What I wanted from the dagger was to get respect from other creatures and stand on my own two feet, but maybe that's something I can accomplish without magic. But every day that ticks by without getting Becks out from underneath the arranged life-mating makes me want to hold on to Shadow Striker as a backup plan.

I'm sitting next to Ensley in Elemental Chemistry when the tracker buzzes in my bag on the floor between us. We both look down at my bag and then look up at each other.

Check it , she mouths to me, but I give a quick shake of my head. It's been so long since the last trial, I let go of my anxiety around Chaos, but the moment the tracker went off it all came rushing back, making me realize I'd been lulled into a false sense of security.

The tracker buzzes again, this time louder, attracting the gazes of several other students. When it goes off a third time and the teacher turns to the class with a look of suspicion, I grab my bag and head to the door, shouting something about a bathroom emergency that makes most of the class snicker.

Whatever. I can be embarrassed about that later.

Ducking into the bathroom down the hall, I dig through my bag and yank out the tracker, which stops buzzing when I touch it. Good to know this thing is going to keep going off in the future until I check it.

On the screen is another set of coordinates and a time. Midnight. There's no date and I think that means it's tonight, which is going to suck because it's a school night. The last trial was also during the week, but not in the middle of the night. I'm going to have to sneak out, because as cool as my parents are, they're not going to be okay with me heading out so late.

I stuff the tracker back in my bag and leave the bathroom, preparing to return to class, when I spot Talon standing across the hall. He's leaning against a locker, studying what I think is his Chaos tracker in his hand. His hair flops over his forehead and there's a frown on his face. There's only the two of us in the hallway, so I can't pretend I don't see him, especially when he snaps his head up and finds me walking right by him.

"Freckles," he says, and shoves his tracker into his jeans pocket.

"Hey," I reply, stopping in front of him. I gesture toward the tracker he just put away. "Looks like we're going to be out late tonight."

He runs a hand through his hair and sighs. "Yeah."

"Not looking forward to another trial?"

He gives me a half-smile. "I'm just ready for this to all be over."

I nod like I understand, and to an extent I do. I wouldn't mind fast forwarding to the end of Chaos myself, but the way Talon said it makes me think he's talking about more than just the competition, but I don't have anything to base that on except the touch of weariness in his voice.

"Well . . . I'd better get back to class."

"Yeah," he agrees, but doesn't make a move to leave, so with an awkward wave I step away from him. I'm halfway down the hall when he calls after me. "Good luck tonight, Freckles."

I look back over my shoulder, ready to offer him the same platitudes when he adds, "And remember to watch your back," before shoving off the locker and taking off in the other direction.

A pit opens up in my stomach as I stare at his back until he rounds the corner and disappears from view. I can't help but wonder if that was a warning to watch my back against him or the other competitors. Either way it's advice I plan to heed.