Page 137 of Twisted Ties

“Wait, what should I do if I do mess up and an attacker has me like this, pinned to the ground?”

“Unless you can use your magic, there’s nothing you can do.”

I think of how the werebeast had pinned me to the ground like this. How I hadn’t been able to fight back.

“There must be something,” I say in desperation.

He pauses, thinking. “If your life really is in danger, then you fight with everything you’ve got, okay? Spit in their eye, bite their fucking nose, gouge out their eyes. Fuck, head butt them if you have to.”

“Head butt?”

He grins. “It’s pretty effective, especially if the other person isn’t expecting it.” The smile fades again. “Just don’t give up, okay, Rhi?”

“Giving up isn’t exactly something I do.”

“Yeah,” he says. Taking my hand, he yanks us onto our feet. “Come on,” he says, “I’ll show you some other moves.”

44

Rhi

Winnie’s right,duelingisall anyone in the school can talk about for the next three days. It turns out this match is some massive grudge affair that only happens every other year between the academy and some prestigious magical school based over in Aropia. Last time, the match took place over there. This time it’s happening on home soil and everyone seems determined the Arrow Hart team will send them packing with their tails between their legs.

Sport has never been my thing but, with everyone’s attention diverted, at least they stop talking about me and the werebeast attack and I’m no longer avoided like the plague. Well, no more than usual, anyway.

On the downside, with no interest in this stupid match and the dueling team, I have plenty of time to think. Plenty of time for those memories to stroll into my head and leaveme trembling. It doesn’t help that there’s been no opportunity for me and Stone to talk again and Azlan has been sent off on his mission to the West. He sends me brief, perfunctory messages, and it’s hard to believe he is the same man who did very enthusiastic things between my thighs.

Worse yet, I’m back on helping-hand duties and with the team practicing every minute they can get, I’m up late every night, washing kits, clearing up the locker room and avoiding Spencer and Tristan at all opportunities. They’re too occupied with the match anyway and for once leave me in peace with only those haunting memories for company.

By the time Saturday finally rolls by, I don’t want to see another kit, boot, or stinky jockstrap again in my life. As helping hand, you’d think I wouldn’t have a choice and would be required the day of the big match. However, the cheerleading squad wants to prepare the dressing room and kits themselves. And Summer makes it abundantly clear I won’t be needed.

Oh, boo hoo. I plan to laze around in bed all day, snuggling with Pip, perhaps catching up on all my missed assignments and staying the hell away from the dueling pitch, no matter how many times Winnie insists it will be fun and I should ‘get in the school spirit’.

Unfortunately, my bumming-around plans are rudely interrupted by a message from Stone.

I sit bolt upright on my bunk, staring down at my screen as Winnie stands in front of the mirror, painting the Arrow Hart crest on her face in green paint.

“What is it?” she says.

“A message from Stone.”

“What does he want?”

I press my thumb on the message and read.

Stone:Come to my cabin as soon as you can.

“Is it a booty call?”

I snort. “He’s barely said a word to me in four days.”

“Maybe he’s going to make it up to you now.”

I shake my head and type my reply.

Rhi:Are you sure that’s sensible, Professor?

Stone:Don’t be a brat. Azlan is here.