Page 138 of Liminal

She’s right, of course. The players are caught in the middle of the game. I frown at the new bandoleer crossed over Lambert’s chest. It’s lined with alchemical bombs, their fragile casingsnestled in easy-to-open pouches with scraps poking out in place of fuses.

As we watch he jumps, executing a twist that sends the gamma flying towards the other side before following up with a bomb that soars under the raised net to explode at the opposing team’s feet just as their timekeeper is about to jump after the alpha ball.

Her feet stick, toppling her and one of the scorers behind her.

It’s chaos, and in the midst of it, the alpha’s poison spikes erupt, meaning that the timekeeper’s desperate last-minute bid to catch it ends with it stabbing through her palm. She faints and drops it.

“Who knew?” Kyrith murmurs as we watch the opposing team desperately call on a substitute as the poisoned girl is taken off the court on a stretcher. “He actually can pay attention.”

Leo snorts under his breath, but evidently values his baws enough to keep his mouth shut as Lambert twists to dodge an attack from the other team that has our Librarian leaning forwards.

I hate that she’s so invested in his playing, but for all his faults, he can play magiball. And he makes it entertaining, too. I can almost forgive him, given that he actually coaxes a smile out of my girl when he blows a kiss directly at the VIP box where North is seated.

“Eew,”the Ackland heir mutters under his breath, but the necklace picks it up.“Flirt when I’m not the middleman, you idiot.”

Kyrith doesn’t react, and I wonder if she’s pretending she hasn’t heard it. Still, confirmation that I’m definitely not the only one interested in the ghost tugs at me sharply. Even if it’s impossible, it’s a mite depressing that I’m already out of the hypothetical running.

No one sane would choose me over Lambert Winthrop.

“They’re still on a hundred,” Eddy notes as the other team’s score drops steadily and all the balls speed up as a result of the dropped alpha.

“Lambert’s playing well.” The admission is like pulling teeth. “But he’s a bloody show off. He could’ve won by now if he wasn’t peacocking.”

“He couldn’t have won already,” Eddy corrects. “It’s only been ten minutes.”

“The shortest game in history was thirteen seconds,” Kyrith murmurs absently. “Remember, if the reapers drop the gamma, it’s all over.”

“Oh. Well, hurry up,” she addresses the screen, like Lambert can hear her. “I want to open presents.”

The beta sprays acid then, and for a brief second everyone goes silent as we lose sight of Lambert under the hastily conjured nullification shield one of his teammates throws up.

Then the game is back on.

Thirty-Nine

Kyrith

The game does not, in fact, finish quickly. The opposing team’s substitute brings them level, and they quickly regain their footing, much to our consternation. Eddy and I are on the edge of our seats, watching Lambert and his team as they battle through.

In fact, I’m so caught up in it that I don’t realise the minute hand is sliding slowly towards its inevitable zenith until it’s too late.

I barely have time to shoot a panicked look at Dakari before I’m sucked into the Foyer.

There’s no way for me to break free of the script. Not even when they spill into the Rotunda just as I reach it. I’m mute and broken as Dakari tries to shove Leo back, only for Eddy to slip under his arm and follow me towards the grate.

“She doesn’t want you there,” he growls, and Jasper warily backs him up.

“Look, if she wanted an audience, she would’ve invited us.”

I hesitate before the trapdoor, like always, and Eddy runs a hand in front of my face.

“Hey, this is creepy,” she says. “Kyrith? You okay? What happened to your skirts?”

“She can’t speak. Just go back to the game. She wouldn’t want you to see this.” Dakari plants himself over the grate, his ankles swallowed by the thick mist as I descend. “I got you. Don’t worry about these idiots.”

“You’ve been down there, haven’t you?” Leo accuses.

“I was invited,” Dakari retorts as I lose sight of them all. “You weren’t.”