The Last Wildcard

TER

Miss

gers curling around Riven's w

ard, boots scraping over stone. "Do you usually k

t and musical. "Only

our power? Or is it a secret until

something ancient passing behind her br

into the ca

into the night. Long wooden tables curved around it, already crowded with contestants. Witches in flowing dark fabrics. Wolves with ale

rs. Riven recognized it for what it was: performance. The

e they

ery calculated touch. Somewhere beyond the jungle, viewers were already choosing favorites

hands resting loosely on her knees, eyes fixed on the flames. They twisted and reshaped endlessly, never settling into one

tore apart in soft clouds. Fruit gleaming too brightly, too perfectly. It

ed where

hind their hands. Two wolves sat shoulder to shoulder, bodies angled outward, guarding each other insti

reminded herself. Or at lea

e one. It felt lik

all night," a voice drawled, "o

d him approach long before he s

lders. Simple black shirt, dark trousers. No visible symbols, no flashy display of power. Ther

es watching people eat t

s mouth lifted

she felt his heat through the cool night air. She

t eat," he

not

e acting like the f

e flames. "You're a

ckle. It wasn't mocki

ace,"

t because there was no point. Everyone here alre

silence for a be

ack to him. "I did

"Like someone who cuts through thi

r chest. "You've known me

d the first trial by

everyo

crowd, the laughter that felt just a

em. Heavy. Ominous. Riven di

, she asked, "

studying it like it might study hi

thing," she said lightly. "Hard t

eplied, a flash of teeth in his s

ere. That alone ma

on was immediate. Conversations dipped. Eyes followed her. Some curious. Some predatory.

t. She chose a seat far from the densest clusters, half i

slowly,

ooks terr

ard, what were

ough. Shame sh

rcing herself to swallow. She wondered when she'

caught the firelight, almost glowing. Her eyes shimmered

ou?" Fantasy aske

ady sitting,

hed softly.

n hesitated, then asked, "Is

didn't falter. "

across the clearing, his posture casual, his attention

gaze, head tilting.

your a

lightly. "He can't be your lo

plate aside. "I'm not lo

n why are you here? Well, t

to the crowd. Jace approach

omething from

yone

d y

ending sparks into the dark. "I

us," he

fully. "Why are you rea

ame on her lips. "Stay away from Fantasy," he

's va

meant

. Found none. Only warning. And som

he added quietly. "Di

meras, and the uneasy realization that on a dating show buil