“None taken, we look too much alike, it’s far too weird to even think of that.” He laughs trying to lighten the mood.
“You do look alike. Who are you?” At first I think Eric’s question is directed at Tanner, but he’s glaring at me. “You’ve changed Ryx and not for the better. Nothing but a slut who’ll fuck anything with a dick.” With those parting words, he takes off down the stairs leaving me standing at the top, staring after him.
“He’s definitely not worth your time,Munchkin.”
“No, he’s not.” I sigh. I’ve completely lost my appetite, but Tanner doesn’t let me beg off lunch, he practically drags me down to the dining room and shoves me into a chair before ordering food for me. He’s acting so much like a big brother that I can’t even complain. I may have only known him a short time, but he feels like family. There’s no point fighting it anymore. Whether he likes it or not, he’s now my brother. After all, if my parents could adopt me, why can’t I adopt Tanner?
After lunch, Tanner takes me to the kitchens where he introduces me to the rest of the staff I’ll be working with during the event tomorrow. They all seem like nice people, even the Gods who work in the kitchens are really cool. I especially enjoyed talking to Tanner’s friend Malcom, he’s a descendant of an original God but he didn’t tell me which one. I had fun trying to guess though.
Time ran out for us so we left the kitchens with the promise I would return at seven sharp tomorrow morning. I’m determined to figure out the right name to Malcom’s heritage so I told him I’d be there early, even though the event doesn’t start until ten.
Tanner and I spent the entire afternoon in Tanner’s office, him grading papers and me working on the online class work he arranged for me to do. By the time dinner time came, I was too tired to eat, or deal with anyone other than Tanner, I agreed far too quickly to join him in his suite for a meal and movie.
I fell asleep less than ten minutes into the movie, but at least I actually ate this time.
Morning dawned bright and early with Tanner waking me by poking me in the face with something cold. I squeal, making a grab for the offending object while the butthead just stands there laughing, lifting it high above my head.
“Breakfast is ready. It’s a healthy meal of sugary cereal and strawberry milk.” He pokes me again with the spoon and I jump up from the couch, tackling him to the ground, sending the spoon flying. With nimble fingers, I tickle all along his ribs while pinning him to the ground with my knees.
“Ahh stop. I’m going to pee myself if you don’t stop.”
“Eww.” I laugh, rolling off him and lying on the floor panting like I’ve just run a mile. “Could be worse….” He laughs, right before I smell it.
“Oh my god, what is wrong with you?” I can’t help laughing even while I’m slapping him in the chest. “That’s disgusting.”
He wafts the air in front of him like he’s trying to get a good sniff, “Oh man, yeah, you’re probably right, that was worse than the last one.”
“That is such a guy thing to do. You’re so gross.” I laugh shoving him into the couch.
Without missing a beat, he pushes me onto the other side of the couch and says, “And damn proud of it. Come on, let’s get some grub into you before you face the gruelling day of being a server to theGods.”
An hour later, after showering and putting on the uniform Tanner bought me yesterday, I’m once more in the kitchens, this time I’m right there with the rest of the staff. I’m not sure why but these Gods and humans make me feel relaxed, whereas all the other ones – Gods-in-training included – make me feel like I’m always watching my back. Malcom makes me laugh as he starts bantering with Tanner, who keeps trying to leave, but can’t seem to pull himself away from the antics of Malcom and the rest of the kitchen staff.
Time seems to slip away from me as I laugh and joke with the staff. Before I know it, I’m standing at the entrance to the arena. Only this time, I’m enjoying being basically invisible. The Gods don’t seem to pay much attention to those who serve them so I end up overhearing bits of information that don’t make sense to me, but I file it all away to figure out later.
I’ve been here for nearly two hours just wandering around with a tray of drinks in my hand when someone calls out that the Gods-in-training need to line up along the edge for their introductions.
Using my new found invisibility, I sneak along the back of the line, searching for the rest of the servers to find out what my next task is supposed to be. Of course I’m not really invisible, as evidenced by what happens when I let my guard down.
One second I’m holding the tray out in front of me, the next there’s a foot kicking my leg out from under me. I let the tray fly out of my hands as I scramble to grab the nearest thing to keep myself from face planting the cold, hard concrete beneath me.
Said object just happens to be a God-in-training. Kier to be more precise. He topples slightly, twisting his body to catch us both, but not before knocking into the next God-in-training down the line. It’s like it all happens in slow motion. One second Ty is standing there, oblivious to the drama unfolding behind him, next he’s going down with far too much speed to stop himself. Seth turns at the last second, his groin right in the trajectory of Ty’s face.
The horror on both of their faces will forever be etched into my memory. Seth shoves Ty so hard, he himself topples back and then there’s this moment where everything freezes before moving in super-fast motion.
I’m staring at the long line of Gods and Goddesses and Gods-in-training and suddenly I see them all falling down, one after another. It’s like watching dominoes toppling each other. You know you can’t stop it, so you just kind of stand there in sick fascination as they all fall.
There’s that split second of clarity where you know shit has officially hit the fan. That’s the moment, I tear my gaze off the fallen Gods-in-training and turn to run, only I don’t get as far as I had hoped. There’s a hand wrapped around my wrist, squeezing tight enough to warn me not to try moving any further, but not tight enough to hurt.
“Well, can’t say I ever thought I’d be that close to my brother’s dick, but I can scratch that measuring contest off my list, fairly certain I’m still bigger.” Ty smirks.
“Don’t really give a shit.” I snap, trying unsuccessfully to yank my arm free.
“Whether you do or not makes no matter, fact is, I’m the only thing standing between you and them.” He nods his head to the left and I groan. Every single God-in-training is glaring at me like it was my fault.
“Don’t blame me, some asshole thought it would be funny to trip me, which knocked me into Kier, which knocked you two down. It was your reaction that made everyone else fall.” I snarl the words but no one’s paying me any mind.
“Trial!” The word is shouted above the raised voices and I groan. I know that voice. I’d know it anywhere.