A horn cut through the noise, starting out low and growing louder until Tommy was tempted to cover his ears. The crowd moved as one, flowing around the three of them toward a small platform set on the far side of the clearing.
“Must be starting,” Tommy said, practically bouncing on his toes now that something was finally happening. The anticipation for this had been building for days, and Deward had been painfully cryptic about the whole thing. With the full moon tonight as well, there was a constant buzz under his skin.
“Did you ever figure out why we were invited?” Derek asked.
“Nope.”
They found a spot with a view of the wooden platform. A lone troll stood on it. Despite the deep wrinkles on her dark green face, she stood straight. The old woman was actually kind of ripped.
She wore a deep, black jumpsuit with a thick, crimson rope tied around her torso in an intricate knot. A crest was pinned to the center, showing a large eye with a hammer in the iris. He’d seen that same image at the training center but hadn’t ever paid much attention to it. It must mean something to this tribe.
The woman scanned the crowd, waiting for them to settle.
“Greetings, fellow tribesman,” she said, the beginning of her speech casting a hush over the trolls. “We are honored to gather in our holy place. Honored to watch our children transform into adults.”
The trolls clapped once in unison as if on cue. Tommy jerked at the same time as Ceri and they bumped into each other. He pressed his lips together to keep from laughing.
“We will celebrate this transformation by challenging them to be better than their parents and their elders. After all, progress demands the next generation be better than the last.” She put her hand behind her back and walked the length of the stage, smiling out at the crowd. “Are we ready to begin?”
The trolls let out a bellowing cheer that did make Tommy clap his hand over his ears. Derek whooped and hollered right along with them.
A line of a dozen trolls, all Deward’s age, filed onto the stage. They were all tusk-less. It took him a moment to pick his friend out of the line, but he spotted him on the far left. Deward’s hands were clasped behind his back like the others. He stood tall and proud.
Each of the trolls had a handprint on their chest in varying colors. Deward’s was white like his father’s tusks.
The woman walked in front of them, as if inspecting the younger trolls. Abruptly, she paused in front of one of them.
“Pallia Bonebiter, who do you name?”
The female troll straightened her shoulders. Her thick, red hair was braided and tightly bound out of the way to the back of her head. “I name my sister, Yanni Bonebiter.”
A cheer rose up from among the trolls as Yanni jogged toward the stage, joining Pallia with a grin.
“Any clue why they’re naming people?” Ceri whispered.
He shook his head. “Nope, Deward didn’t explain anything.”
The crowed cheered as each troll stepped forward and named their companion. Tommy clapped along with them.
Finally, Deward stepped forward. He was the last to be chosen by the elder and looked tense.
“Deward Tuskbreaker, who do you name?”
The crowed went silent, awaiting his reply.
“I name my brother, Thomas Anderson,” Deward said without hesitation, his voice booming across the space.
Tommy froze. That was his name. He didn’t even know how Deward had found his last name, he’d never told him.
Ceri jabbed him in the ribs. “Go or you’re going to embarrass him.”
His feet started moving but he was in a complete daze. The trolls seemed just as stunned. The crowd parted as he walked but they were all whispering among themselves, looking back and forth between him and Deward in shock.
He hopped up onto the stage and walked over to stand beside Deward like the others that had been called up. Deward stared straight ahead without looking at him.
“Are you sure of your choice, youngling?” the woman asked, causing another murmur in the crowd. She hadn’t asked that of anyone else.
Deward looked at him and nodded. “I am.”
Great. Whatever Deward was doing was not only a surprise to him, it likely also broke with troll tradition.
Tommy clasped his hands behind his back with the others and stared out at the crowd defiantly. If Deward wanted him up here, then screw anyone that thought otherwise. He was good at breaking tradition. Inside his mind, the wolf howled in challenge.
Chapter 18
Amber
Amber was pretty sure she was more nervous than Paul, and she wasn’t even the one about to go out in front of hundreds of people to complete the Trials.
His entire pack was huddled in the waiting room. Two other alphas were completing the Trials before him and they weren’t allowed to watch. They could hear the cheers and boos through the thin walls of the building though.
“I wanted to thank you again for agreeing to sponsor me. It was a risk to trust anyone that had been involved with Lockhart, but I appreciate that you took a chance on me,” Paul said, extending his hand toward her.
She shook it firmly. “Hopefully you don’t regret choosing me.”
A mischievous grin spread across his face. “I like stirring things up on occasion. No regrets here.”
Genevieve snorted. “I should hope not. I worked hard on those negotiations.”
Paul’s smile shifted toward genuine amusement. “You certainly did.”
Amber looked between the two of them, understanding dawning on her. That flutter of annoyance and panic from the night before was starting to make sense. She’d wondered for a while if Paul was interested in Genevieve, and the more she watched them, the more it seemed like he was.
She narrowed her eyes at Paul. If he was making Genevieve uncomfortable, she’d gut him.
Paul caught her expression and cocked his head at her in confusion.
There was a brief knock –– which was good timing for Amber–– and Ito’s beta opened the door. “It is time.”
Paul nodded. “Let’s get this done.”
Amber walked with him toward the arena. The alpha that had just passed the Trials was rejoining his pack. Their excitement only made her more nervous. People were cheering for him, but she doubted they’d cheer for Paul.
This arena lacked the air of formality and tradition that the clearing in the woods where she had been tested had possessed. It was all new –– a temporary thing they’d set up for The Gathering. The shiny metal and pine seemed all wrong. Even her wolf agreed, growling unhappily in her mind.
The crowd quieted as Alpha Ito stepped forward. His cold eyes found her, and he seemed just as uninterested in speaking to her as he had the night before.
“Amber Hale, as the sponsor for Paul Greer, do you swear that he has maintained conduct becoming an alpha through the waning and the waxing of the moon?” Ito asked, his expression cold. His hatred of her was more terrifying because it wasn’t reckless. She didn’t understand it and she wished they’d never met.
“I swear it.”
“Paul Greer, come forward.”
Paul approached the stone –– the only thing here that wasn’t new –– and stood before Ito.
A knife appeared in Ito’s hand, seemingly out of thin air. It was nothing like the one Jameson had used in the ritual she had gone through. It was made of pure silver, even the handle which Ito was holding without flinching despite the smoke rising from his skin.
“By the Moon, who gives us strength. By the Night, who gives us sight. By the Wolf, who gives us life. Let the candidate’s worthiness be measured.” He held his hand over the stone and drew the blade across his palm, then squeezed a few drops of blood down onto it.
She felt the magic much stronger this time. It drifted around her like a cool breeze, refreshing her and the wolf.
Ito handed the blade to Paul who repeated the action. The two of them were illuminated by the moonlight for a
moment as the urge to shift rolled through the crowd.
“Do you need an explanation of the first course?” Ito asked, cutting the moment short.
Paul shook his head. “I do not.”
“Then begin when you are ready,” Ito said as he stepped aside and pointed toward the starting mark, which was a red line painted on the grass.
Ito then gestured sharply at the crowd and they filed up onto the overlook. Amber and Genevieve led Paul’s pack up to the right side after Ito while most of the crowd went to the other side.
Paul stripped down –– tossing his clothes to his unofficial beta–– without a hint of concern. She forced herself not to look away like a blushing virgin. This was normal. Totally normal. Not sexual in the least.
A blush creapt up Genevieve’s neck. At least she wasn’t the only one affected.
It was odd looking down at the course from up here. It looked smaller than it had when she’d been the one facing it. Sometimes it was hard to believe it had only been a few months since she had been changed. It felt like years had passed with how much everything had changed.
Paul stood at the line, looking perfectly relaxed other than the subtle shifting of his muscles under his skin. There was a moment of complete silence, then he took off at a run.
Chapter 19
Deward
That had been reckless, but Deward couldn’t find it in himself to regret it. The other trolls talked about bravery and inclusivity but he felt the tribe had become borderline xenophobic as of late.
In centuries past, it was just as common to choose someone outside the tribe to assist with your feat as it was to choose your sibling or cousin.
To be fair, other supernaturals seemed to care less and less about their customs. It was hard to find someone willing to assist you with something so challenging with no other reward than a sense of accomplishment.
He barely listened to the elder complete the ceremony, waiting only for the cue that meant they could leave the stage and he could finally give Tommy the explanation he deserved.
A cheer rose up from the crowd and the elder waved them off the stage. He grabbed Tommy’s arm and dragged him away from the stage where they’d have a moment before his parents found him. Tommy was worryingly silent.
They paused just inside the tree line and he turned to his friend who faced him with crossed arms. “So, what did I just agree to? And why didn’t you warn me, dude?”
Deward inclined his head in apology. “It’s forbidden. Part of this ceremony is understanding who will come to your aid when called. Tradition dictates that you do not tell that person ahead of time.” He took a deep breath. “Anyhow, part of entering adulthood is the opportunity to complete what we call a feat. It can be a feat of intellect, bravery, strength –– whatever we choose. We must discuss it with one of the elders and get their approval. My mother, for example, translated the Voynich manuscript, which was long thought to be impossible.”
Tommy narrowed his eyes at him. “I got the impression it’s not exactly normal to choose someone outside the tribe.”
“Ah, no, it isn’t,” Deward admitted, straightening his shoulders in defiance. “It didn’t used to be so uncommon a couple of centuries ago but things change. It’s mostly just riskier. The people of the tribe know it is an honor while an outsider is more likely to refuse to help, which would make what I have to do much harder. Also, someone in the tribe has had to complete a feat of their own, so they may be able to offer more help.” He paused, unsure if he should add this last part, but he wanted to be honest. “But you have risen to the challenge of adapting to a monumental change. I consider that a feat all on its own.”
Tommy looked down, scuffing his foot against the dirt before responding. “You aren’t going to get in trouble, are you?”
“I’m…actually not sure how my parents will react. My choice is supported by the values they taught me from the time I was a child, but this was not what most would consider the wisest choice.”
“An unexpected choice is not inherently wrong,” Deward’s father said, appearing from behind a tree. He hadn’t noticed his approach, likely due to nerves. Still, it was an embarrassing oversight.
His mother stepped out as well, her expression blank. “We heard your explanation to Thomas, however, it was superficial at best. You gave all the reasons why choosing him shouldn’t be an issue, but I would like to hear why you have chosen Thomas to help you for this particular feat.”
Tommy looked at him, apparently curious as well.
He clasped his hands in front of himself. This was one question, at least, that he was well-prepared to answer. “My reasons are as follows: first, his senses are keener than mine. Since I am searching for something this was a high priority. Second, we have shown excellent teamwork both in training and during our study sessions. A sense of camaraderie and ability to work together is paramount. Third, I trust Thomas, and I believe I have his trust as well. Choosing him without warning, was a final test of this, which was obviously a success. The challenging nature of the feat I’ve chosen requires that I have absolute trust in the person that will be helping me, and that they put the same trust in me.”
Saying that much at once had left him out of breath, so he clamped his mouth shut and waited.
His mother searched his face for a moment before nodding. “You have thought this through carefully. I expected nothing less.”
Relief flooded through him. “Thank you, mother.”
His father walked over and pulled him into a hug, slapping him on the back. “I look forward to seeing you take on this challenge.” He released him and turned to Tommy, wrapping him in the same hug. His friend looked a little stunned and returned the hug tentatively. “And I am glad that my son will have someone so highly qualified at his side.”
“I’m, uh, glad he picked me,” Tommy said with a shaky grin. He looked surprisingly emotional, which Deward hadn’t expected.
His mother shook Tommy’s hand, then turned back to him. “We must go help with preparations.”
He nodded. “Thank you for your support.”
They hurried off, leaving him and Tommy alone for a moment.
“What exactly have I agreed to help you with?” Tommy asked.
“The feat I have chosen is difficult, but I am sure we can do it quickly. There is a Book of Prophecies I believe was hidden near Portland by a powerful coven of witches a few centuries ago. I intend to find it and share it with the tribe,” Deward said proudly, his pulse quickening at the thought. The future was difficult –– some would say impossible –– to foretell. Possessing something that could give them insight into the future would be fascinating. They could learn so much. “I’ve been preparing for this for six months, and we are given one month to complete it after today.”
“Where is this book? Do we need to go look for it right now?” Tommy asked.
“No,” Deward said, a grin spreading across his face. “Today is all about the Games.”
“The Games?” Both of Tommy’s eyebrows shot up. “Why does that sound so ominous?”
Deward laughed, excitement growing in his gut. “No need to be worried…unless you can’t hold your liquor.”
“Wait, what?”
Chapter 20
Genevieve
Watching the Trials was different this time. There was a sense of anticipation in the crowd, but not because anyone really doubted any of the alphas would pass. This was just entertainment for them.
She’d been tense throughout the whole thing, but no one had tried to trip Paul during the obstacle course, or hurt his sense of smell in the maze. The fight with the bear had been miserable to watch even though Paul was never really in danger. It made the whole thing so much less stressful.
There were also only half the people here compared to the number that had attended Amber’s Trials. Since The Gathering was limited to alphas and their betas, the audience wasn’t filled with their packs.
Paul had just drunk the poti
on that would force him to shift eventually. He sat on the ground, head bowed from the strain of holding back the shift.
Amber leaned against the banister and shook her head. “It seems like such a long time ago, but it’s only been two months.”
“Yeah, it’s weird to think about,” Genevieve agreed with a sigh. Her hand went to the scar on her thigh. She could feel the ridges of it through her slacks. It had bothered her a lot at first, but now it was something of an anchor. She’d been through something that should have broken her and made it through to the other side stronger than ever.
The minutes ticked by as Paul battled the change. Fur crept up his forearms as claws sprouted from the tips of his fingers. Every time it gained an inch, he would force it back, but it was a losing battle. Still, as the timer ticked on, she realized his control was well above average.
Five minutes was the minimum and he was nearing ten. Only one other alpha had made it that far. It looked like he was going for top time.
With a deep breath, Paul rose to his feet and shifted smoothly, as if he was simply done waiting. He lifted his head and howled. His pack joined in, their enthusiasm bringing a smile to her face. Hopefully this meant they would fully accept him as alpha. Gaining the position had been a bloody, savage affair.
Ito stepped into the arena. “Alpha Paul Greer, we welcome you.”
Paul dipped his shaggy, black head in acknowledgement, then trotted out of the ring, rejoining his pack.
“I’m going to go congratulate him,” Genevieve whispered to Amber.
Her alpha nodded. “I’ll join you in a few minutes, Jameson is waving me over.”
She slipped through the press of bodies behind her and hurried down the stairs. The alphas that had passed the Trials were all sent to wait just outside the arena, so Paul should be somewhere down there.
Misfit Fortune Page 9