Page 142 of Destined Dawn

“Couple of lads from the dueling team are taking a shift,” he says.

“Is that wise?” I ask.

“Why wouldn’t it be?” Rhi asks, turning around to join in the conversation and leaning into me. I hook my arm around her waist and draw her close.

“I don’t know who we can trust,” I say, eyes scanning over all the people out here partying.

It’s not like the old dueling parties. Everyone’s still clothed – which may be partly because it’s still not that warm out – or more likely because tonight isn’t about getting wasted and hooking up. People seem genuinely elated, genuinely relieved. There’s dancing and singing, quite a bit of hugging and crying and several kids just standing to one side talking to their family on their cell phones.

Yet, I know for some this is performative. They supported my dad. They snitched on their friends and on their teachers. Summer wasn’t the only one. They believed weres like Spencer should be locked away for ever –possibly exterminated. They were convinced some magicals were enemies of the republic and should be dealt with accordingly. It makes me sick to know they are among us.

“People make mistakes,” Rhi says simply, looking up at me. She’s referring to the way I treated her when she first arrived at the academy. As well as probably all the other stupid mistakes I’ve inevitably made along the way. “They get sucked into certain ways of thinking, carried along by the masses, or they just, you know, fuck up. We have to find a way to forgive them. We have to find a way to let them show us they are sorry. We have to let them gain our trust.”

“I’m never forgiving my dad,” I mutter.

Her eyes harden. “No, I don’t think I will ever be able to forgive him either. Or my own dad.”

“Maybe not right now,” Coach says, watching us both, “but give it time. Hate is a heavy burden to carry around in your heart. You may find you don’t want that weighing you down. You may find it in yourself to forgive.”

I snort. “I doubt it.”

Coach chuckles and takes a swig of his beer. “You always were a stubborn bastard, Tristan. It’s why you never made it to captain.”

“That and Spencer is a better duelist than me.”

“You both have your talents. And you kids both did well today. And you too, Rhianna. I’m proud of you all.” He pats me on the shoulder and I realize his praise has always meant more to me than my dad’s ever did.

“Prouder than when they won the Crosslantic cup?” Rhi asks, teasing the old man.

“Much prouder,” he says. He leans in a little. “Don’t tell anyone I said this, but dueling’s only a game.”

“Erm,” I raise an eyebrow, “that is not what you saidduring countless training sessions. You said dueling was a matter of life and death, of honor and–”

“You shouldn’t believe everything I tell you,” he says. “What you did out there today, how you rallied the other students,” he looks at Rhi, “the bravery and initiative you showed, that was really something. We should have had you on the dueling team.”

Rhi grins. “I mean you still could, couldn’t you? I haven’t technically graduated the academy yet – I don’t think I have enough points to.”

“Piglet,” I say, “you just earned yourself about a trillion points helping those magicals in the West, taking out my dad.”

“You think so?”

I laugh. “Of course, you did!”

Some kid from our Practical Magic class taps Rhi on the shoulder and she steps away to talk with them.

“That girl’s special. You need to look after her, treat her well,” Coach says, peering at me over the top of his beer bottle as he drinks again.

“That’s what I plan to do, Sir.”

“Good, she’s been through a lot. She deserves some happiness now.”

I nod and he wanders off, Azlan and Stone coming to take his place.

“What’s up?” Stone says, reading the unease on my face. “Did Hank not give you the ego massage you’ve come to expect?”

“It’s not that,” I say, distracted, gaze drifting back to Rhi. “She deserves happiness, right?”

“Yes,” Stone answers. “Everyone does. Or peace and contentment at the very least.”