Dark Heart of Magic (Black Blade #2)(17)

“Vance Groves,” Claudia announced.

I rolled my eyes, but I clapped politely for him. Vance might be cocky and arrogant, but he was a good fighter. Vance pushed back from his table, high-fived his friends, then strutted up to the front of the room, preening and taking his place with the other participants.

“And now, for the last person who will be representing the Sinclairs in this year’s Tournament of Blades.”

Claudia paused and looked around the room, her gaze going from one face to the next. Silence fell over the dining hall again, even more intense than before, since this was the last chance to be chosen. People froze, eyes wide, hands clenched tight, breath caught in their throats. I just wanted her to go ahead and say the lucky name already. It seemed kind of cruel to keep everyone in suspense for so long.

Claudia turned her head, her green gaze meeting mine. Her sly satisfaction filled my body, and I finally realized what she was up to. I cringed, even as she called out the last two words I wanted to hear.

“Lila Merriweather.”





CHAPTER SIX


Shock surged through me, as though some magick had just blasted me with a lightning bolt.

I’d never, ever thought that Claudia would call my name. I’d only been here a few weeks, and some of the guards had served the Family for years. Sure, I’d saved Devon’s life a couple times, but that had been more sneakiness and luck on my part than anything else, along with a fair amount of help from the lochness. So why pick me to compete in the tournament?

My shock and surprise quickly melted into absolute horror as every eye in the room fixed on me. I was a thief who did her best work in the shadows when no one was looking. I hated being the center of attention, but that’s exactly what I was right now.

Mo beamed at me, his black eyes shining with warm pride, and Felix and Oscar were grinning like fools, all three of them clapping as hard and loud as they could. Oscar’s transparent wings were twitching so hard with excitement that I thought they might fly right off his back.

Mo nudged me with his elbow. “Go on up there, kid. Take a bow with the rest of the competitors. You’ve earned it.”

Everyone was still staring at me, so I had no choice but to get up and take my place with the others. Vance snorted, but the other guards gave me friendly smiles. Devon scooted over so that I could stand next to him, but I still shifted uncomfortably on my feet, trying to sidle behind him as much as I could so that I wouldn’t be quite so front and center.

By this point, everyone in the dining hall was standing, clapping, cheering, and whistling for all the folks who’d been chosen. I fixed a smile on my face and clapped along, even though all I really wanted to do was slink out of the room as quickly and quietly as possible.

Devon leaned over. “I know you didn’t expect this, but I’m glad you’ll be part of the tournament. Out of all of us, I think you have the best chance to win.”

“But what about the competitors from the other Families? What about Deah and Katia?”

He leaned even closer, his crisp pine scent washing over me. “You’re the best fighter I’ve ever seen. And more important, you’re smart, especially with your magic. You’ll win. Trust me, Lila. A couple of days from now, we’ll be standing here again, celebrating your victory.” He hesitated, his voice dropping to a low, husky whisper. “And I’ll be cheering louder than anyone else.”

His green gaze locked with my blue one. My soulsight kicked in, letting me see and feel all his emotions—warm pride, rock-hard certainty, and that hot, hot spark that made an answering heat sizzle through my entire body. He really believed what he said. Devon really thought that I could win the Tournament of Blades.

And in that moment, I desperately wanted to do it, if only so he would keep on looking at me the way he was right now.



Everyone left their tables and streamed forward, wanting to congratulate all the folks who’d been chosen to compete. I shook hand after hand and endured back slaps from Mo, Felix, and countless others. Oscar buzzed around my head, whooping, hollering, and throwing his tiny cowboy hat up into the air, then darting forward to catch it.

“I still don’t understand why Claudia picked me,” I muttered.

“Relax, Lila,” Felix said. “It’s not like no one’s never heard of you before. All the other Families have seen you with Devon and me in the Midway. And all the Sinclairs know what you did for Devon at the lochness bridge. They know you’ve earned this.”

Maybe that’s what was making me so uncomfortable. I didn’t earn things. I was a bloody thief. I took what I wanted whenever I wanted it. So this was a whole new experience for me.

“You should be happy that Claudia picked you,” Oscar piped up.

“Why is that?”

“Because the tournament winner gets a gold cup and a check for twenty-five thousand dollars.”

“Oh.” My eyes widened. “Oh.”

The pixie laughed. “I thought that might interest you.”

“Lila is sure to win.” Mo clapped me on the back again. “You know what, kid? I should be your trainer. Keep you focused on the tournament.”

I gave him a suspicious look. “Why do I think you’re mentally playing the Rocky theme music in your head right now?”

Mo grinned. “I’m sure I can find you some steps to run up somewhere around here.”