“They can do that?”
“Usually, they just don’t swim too fast in the opening race. But yes, there are overfed teenage Mers who never even make it to the opening ceremony. A few coins, a bag of pearls. It happens.”
“Maybe he wants to win.”
I nodded.
“Maybe he does want to win.”
I winked at her, lying back on the cot.
“But so do I.”
Chapter 8
We woke early, before the sun started to warm the waters. I took one look at Starla’s pale face and knew that neither of us had slept much, though at least my head didn’t feel like a hunk of coral anymore. I doubted that Dane had done much better.
Beazil, on the other hand, was still snoring.
At least, he was until he heard the sound of an oyster being pried open with my handy knife.
Starla let out a tiny scream when the immobile shark on the other side of the tent suddenly sprang to life, darting to my bed. He nosed Starla aside for first dibs on breakfast.
“Don’t be such a bottom feeder, Beazil!”
He wrinkled his snub-nose at me as I gave Starla the first oyster. She looked worried until I made Beazil apologize. He sank down and nuzzled her side until she giggled.
We ate quickly, finishing the oysters. I saved two for Dane but couldn’t find him when we ventured outside. I tucked them into my net bag and buried them under my cot again, hurrying back to meet Starla in front of our tent. We looked around as Mers started swimming toward the arena.
Today, we would not be going inside. This was what I had been awaiting for years. Today was the opening race. It was not just a test of speed, but of dangerous obstacles, and sometimes even combat. That’s why I had my weapons strapped to my body, along with wearing the armor Dane had given me. Even Starla had a dagger at her waist.
A large Mer swam past us with an enormous battle axe in each hand. I swallowed nervously. Juno.
He ignored us, thank Triton. But the two Mers that flanked him did not, the girl wearing the spikes and another Mer I didn’t expect to see.
The one who had smiled at me.
He caught my eye, smiled again, and winked. The girl with the spikes sneered at me like I was flotsam. A few other unpleasant-looking Mers followed them. I wondered what that meant. If they were working together . . . that would be especially deadly in the battle trial.
For some reason, that made me more nervous than Juno and his battle axes.
Starla shot me a worried glance.
“Don’t worry. We’ll start as far from them as we can. I’ll shoot ahead and you hang back.”
“Okay.”
She looked worried, and I couldn’t blame her. I was suddenly less concerned with winning and more concerned with making sure neither one of us got squashed. I did need to at least place, though, or I wouldn’t progress.
This was the fight of my life. I needed to succeed, not just survive. Starla could opt out by not finishing. In fact, it was likely that half of the entrants would do that. And in her case, it was not cowardice to do so.
I felt myself getting angry. They should make entry optional. For people like me, eager to make their mark on the world. Not on little girls who were barely of age, not to mention small for their age!
“You shouldn’t even swim. Just find a place to hide near the start. It won’t be a long race.”
“You mean because you know you will win?”
I chuckled. I did expect to win, or at least come close, barring disaster. But that was just today. The rest of the contests would be just as hard for me, if not harder.
“Tri. I need to speak to you.”
Dane seemed to come out of nowhere. He pulled me to the side of the stream of contestants. Starla followed, hovering nearby.
I felt my cheeks warm up a bit from his familiar touch. He was so sure of himself. His hand was warm and large on my arm.
“Hi.”
He ran his hand through his hair nervously.
“Hi.”
“I saved you some oysters, but they’re back in the tent.”
“Never mind that. They changed the rules.”
“What?”
“Everyone has to finish.”
“WHAT?”
He glanced over my shoulder at Starla.
“They don’t want people dropping out. So no one is getting out by hanging back today. Everyone who finishes goes to the second trial.”
“And if you don’t finish?”
“Fifty lashes. Unless you are injured.”
“Or dead.”
He nodded slowly.
“Fifty lashes would kill her, Dane.”
“Listen to me. She is not your responsibility.”
“I’m not leaving her to the wolves!”
He smiled, but it looked pained.
“I had a feeling you might say that. I can look after her.”
“Don’t you want to win?”
“Yes. But it doesn’t matter to me the same way.”
I rubbed my forehead.
“Tri. You have to stay ahead of them. You are a target. She isn’t.”
“Me? I’m not remotely threatening.”
“You look more competent than you know. Not to mention your familiar.”
“This isn’t a familiar contest. We don’t even know if there will be one.”
“Doesn’t matter. I’ve heard them talking about you.”
“Who?”
“Everybody.”
“What if I win and then I come back?”
He shook his head.
“That’s crazy. And I’m pretty sure it isn’t allowed.”
“Well then, it’s settled. I’m sticking with you.”
“Your life’s dream is to be a Spark. You have to try. I’ve got her, I swear to you.”
“Maybe I can tow her.”
“That is definitely against the rules.”
I crossed my arms, glaring at him.
“Well, who made you the official word on that? Are you a Royal or something?”
He made a choking sound, swiftly shaking his head ‘no.’
“I want you to win.”
We turned to see Starla floating just behind us. She had heard what we were saying. Triton help us.
“Look, you have to finish. It sounds like it could be a blood bath. Dane is big. He can handle himself. I’m fast. What about you?” I asked.
She shrugged.
“I’m sneaky.”
I laughed.
“Good, but that might not be enough.”
A horn blew in the distance. The race would be starting soon. I cursed and we all started swimming with the dregs of the crowd. I watched Dane carefully, wondering whether to trust him.
In my gut, I knew I could. It was an unfamiliar feeling, truth be told. I knew he would protect Starla. We found a place in the back of the crowd and waited. None of this was going to plan. This event was mine to lose, and here I was already at a disadvantage.
“If we get separated, just stay safe and get to the finish line. That goes for you too.”
I stared hard at Dane. He nodded and Starla gave me a ‘thumbs up’ sign. I shook my head. This had disaster written all over it.
“You are mad! I should tow you both the entire way.”
Dane folded his arms over his chest, bringing into focus just how strong and muscular he was. I swallowed, looking away. I did not need to be thinking about how handsome he was right now. I should just be relieved that someone more physically powerful than me was an ally.
Focus, Tri!
The horn sounded again and everyone tensed. Then it rang out, loud and long. The race was on.
Silt swirled up in all directions as a thousand young Mers shot forward. I held back, swimming forward without leaving my friends behind. Dane glared at me and grabbed Starla, veering to the left. I was knocked backward by a passing Mer as I turned to look for them.
But they were gone.
I knew Dane had veered off deliberately so I could try and win the race. I knew it. And after looking for them for several minutes, I realized it was futile. So I did the only thing I could.
I swam.
I took off at top speed, brushing past Mers of every size and shape. I saw a few minor altercations as I darted through the thickest part of the crowd. I wove through the throng, ceaselessly pressing forward. Then I was out in front and swimming in nearly open waters.
Of course, I had started late from the back of the crowd, so I was still behind the fastest swimmers.
I smiled to myself as I let myself really fly.