The Faerie Games

by Michelle Madow

  But from the intense way the god was staring at me, I suspected he might smite me on the spot if I voiced my thoughts aloud.

  I’d never get back home to Avalon if I got myself killed now.

  Besides, all ten players had already been chosen. The smartest thing to do was lay as low as possible. Which meant doing what was expected of me and not making a spectacle of myself. Especially since not only everyone here, but apparently everyone in the entire citadel, was watching this ceremony play out live. The annoying floating orbs were enough of a reminder of that.

  And so, I stepped up to the Stone, turning my back to it and facing Bacchus like all the nominees had done before me.

  “Gods of Olympus,” Bacchus said, his devilish gaze locked on mine. “Do any of you choose Selena Pearce as your champion for this year’s Faerie Games?”

  23

  Selena

  Humming buzzed behind me, so intense that every inch of my skin prickled with awareness.

  One moment, I was staring out at Bacchus, Prince Devyn, and the ten chosen champions before me.

  The last thing I saw before an orb of light blue magic surrounded me was the shocked look on Bacchus’s face.

  There was nothing below me, nothing above me, and nothing around me. Just the light blue magic that seemed to stretch out into eternity. It sparkled and swirled, trapping me in what felt like another dimension.

  Then, a man popped into existence in front of me. He was taller than Bacchus—he must have been twelve feet tall, at least. And he was ageless, with long white hair past his shoulders and a gold toga tied at his waist to show off his hard, chiseled chest. His eyes glowed an inhuman white, and I felt tiny under his intimidating gaze.

  I couldn’t move. All I could do was stare up at him in terrified awe.

  “Selena Pearce.” His voice boomed through the magical orb, making it shake like thunder. “I’ve been waiting over a millennia for a half-blood worthy of receiving the gift of my powers. Now, that time has come. I choose you to play for me in this year’s Faerie Games.”

  A thick bolt of lightning flashed to life in his hand, and he shot it forward, straight at my heart.

  I doubled over, screaming out in pain as the lightning crackled through my body like wildfire, zapping me to the core. Every part of me was ablaze. Like I was being burned from the inside out.

  He was killing me. This must be what it felt like to die.

  It might have lasted for less than a minute, or it could have been an eternity. But each torturous second was one too long to bear.

  Finally, the blaze found release, exiting through my back between my shoulder blades. It was like a reservoir of power being emptied through a dam. And as the pain lessened, so did my screams.

  Once I was able to open my eyes again, I saw flashes of light blue over my shoulders.

  Wings. I’d grown wings. Sparkly, beautiful, light blue wings that shimmered with powerful magic.

  And the god who’d stood before me moments before was nowhere to be found.

  He’d disappeared as quickly as he’d arrived.

  The magic surrounding me evaporated until I was back on the hill, staring at Bacchus, Devyn, and the chosen half-bloods. Every single one of them—including the crowd in the bleachers—gawked at me in shock, awe, and disbelief.

  Well, every one of them except Devyn. He was as calm and confident as ever.

  He’d known this was going to happen. Of course he had. That was the nature of his gift.

  And he’d orchestrated the scene perfectly, down to making sure we were the last ones in line.

  He was a manipulative, conniving, self-serving jerk.

  Bacchus cleared his throat, apparently needing to get ahold of himself before speaking. “Congratulations, Selena Pearce,” he finally said, surprise evident in his voice as it carried across the silenced crowd. “You just made history. Because you’re the first half-blood ever chosen to play in the Faerie Games by the king of the gods himself—Jupiter.”

  24

  Selena

  Everything was a blur as I took my spot in the line of chosen half-bloods behind Bacchus. My feet felt like they moved on their own, and while I heard chattering around me, I couldn’t make out anything being said.

  Because I was going to have to fight all these people beside me.

  To the death.

  I was going to die.

  Bacchus had us all pose for a picture, which was taken by the golden orbs. The flash echoed in my vision after the photo was taken.

  “Relax,” a warm voice said from next to me, soothing me with its perfect cadence. Julian. “Jupiter chose you for a reason. You’re strong enough to get through this. Just take it one step at a time.”

  I looked over at him and glared. I didn’t know what irritated me more—that he was trying to calm me down, or that it was working.

  Because he was right. I needed to take this one step at a time. I needed to focus on staying alive until my parents and their army came to the Otherworld to rescue me.

  They were probably on their way here now. It wouldn’t be long until I was back home, where I belonged.

  But I felt my glare at Julian soften. It was like his caring blue eyes intoxicated my soul and turned my brain to mush.

  I shook off the unwanted feelings. “I know I’m strong enough,” I said, my tone laced with venom. “I don’t need you to tell me that.” I turned away from him, not wanting to be affected by him the way I was. Everyone in the Faerie Games was going to be pitted against each other. The other players were my enemies.

  It would do me no good to be crushing on an enemy.

  Before Julian could reply, Bacchus spoke again. “In four days, all eleven of you will enter Vesta’s Villa, and the Faerie Games will begin,” he said. “In the meantime, it’s time to return to the homes of the faerie that nominated you to prepare for your grand entrance.” He turned to face the orbs, smiling at them with glee. “I’m Bacchus, god of celebration and master of the Faerie Games ceremonies,” he said, clearly speaking to the viewers now and not to us. “Tune in Friday to watch the chosen champions give us a sneak peek of their new powers before they enter the villa. I can’t wait to see what this year’s contestants are made of.”

  The crowd in the bleachers clapped and hollered in agreement.

  He snapped his fingers, another goblet of wine appearing in his hand, and raised it in a toast toward the orbs. “Cheers, and I’ll see you soon!”

  25

  Selena

  The orbs stopped glowing, and the faeries that nominated us rushed to our sides, ushering us back to the carriages. Once in our carriage, Devyn explained that the chosen champions weren’t supposed to speak to each other until we entered the villa. In the villa, the orbs would be recording us twenty-four seven—even while we were sleeping.

  I shuddered at the thought. Having an entire country of faeries watching my every move for entertainment was downright creepy.

  As he spoke, I stared at him, piecing things together in my mind. “You have omniscient sight,” I said. “You said you cared about me. You wouldn’t have nominated me unless you knew I was going to win.”

  “As I told you earlier, the future is never set in stone,” he said. “Despite my gift, I can’t truly know anything until it happens.”

  “But you know what futures are more likely to happen than others.”

  “I also know that anything I say about the future has the potential to change it.” His violet eyes that matched my own were hard as he stared me down. “Don’t question me, Selena. You won’t like the outcome if you do.”

  The rest of the chariot ride was spent in silence, and not by my choice. I wanted to learn everything I could about the Faerie Games so I’d have the best chance of winning. But Devyn refused to answer my questions.

  I supposed it was because he didn’t want to change the current future.

  Eventually I gave up asking him anything and sat back, watching the rolling green hills pass by
as we made our way back to the city. According to Bacchus, I had four days before entering the villa.

  So if Devyn refused to prepare me for the Games, I’d simply have to find someone who would.

  It was nighttime when we got back, and two half-blood servants walked me to my room. My window now featured an image I’d recognize anywhere—the luscious, tropical mountains of Avalon.

  The sight of my home felt like a stab in my heart.

  Nessa was either trying to make me homesick, or she was trying to remind me what I was fighting for. But her intentions didn’t matter. Because the sight of Avalon fired me up to get back there, no matter what I needed to do to make it happen.

  Now that I was alone, I studied my shimmery, light blue wings in the mirror. Made of light, they sparkled with each movement I made. I couldn’t help smiling as I looked at them. Because while the wings should have felt foreign, they didn’t. It was like they’d always been a part of me, and they were relieved to finally be out in the open for the rest of the world to see.

  It was like I was seeing my true self for the first time.

  But whatever Jupiter had done to me must have drained me, because it wasn’t long before my head felt heavy, the bed in my room calling me to it. I wanted to fight sleep, but what would be the point? Tomorrow was going to come, whether I wanted it to or not. I might as well face it awake instead of exhausted.

  So I changed into pajamas, expecting the wings to be a hindrance in getting dressed. But my clothes passed through them, as if the wings were made of nothing at all. It was extraordinary. Especially because when I touched the wings, I felt their warm, crackling energy under my fingertips. They were tangible, yet not at the same time. Incredible.

  Hopefully they wouldn’t be uncomfortable while I slept.

  But I didn’t find out one way or another, because the moment my head hit the pillow, I sank into a deep, dreamless sleep.

  26

  Selena

  Two men—one with bright pink wings and the other with deep green wings—burst into my room, startling me awake.

  The man with pink wings wore a pink sequined tunic with matching breeches. The green winged man was tall, dark skinned, and had a clean-shaven head. He wore loose fitting, black breeches and no top, presumably to show off his chiseled chest.

  “Good morning, Princess!” the man with pink wings said in an overly peppy voice that no one should be allowed to use so early in the morning. “Rise and shine! We have work to do, and not much time to do it.”

  The green-winged man looked me over and crossed his arms, which were just as built and toned as his chest. “Nessa told us you needed our help,” he said. “And damn, was she right. You’re a mess. A hot one, but still a mess.”

  “But no worries!” the pink-winged man jumped in, his light purple eyes wide with glee. “Bryan and Finn are here to come to your rescue!” He twirled and struck a pose, glitter fluttering out of his wings as he spun. Some of it landed in his hair—I suspected on purpose.

  “What’s going on?” I sat up, rubbing sleep out of my eyes as I looked back and forth between the two of them. “Who are you?”

  “I’m Bryan,” the pink-winged man said, and then he pointed his thumb to the shirtless, green-winged man next to him. “And this gorgeous, perfect specimen of man is Finn. Prince Devyn chose us to prep you for the Faerie Games.”

  “Prep me how?” I asked, feeling instantly more awake at the prospect of being prepared for the Games.

  “I’m your stylist.” Bryan motioned to himself and struck another pose. “Now that you’re chosen for the Games, you’re no longer relegated to the bland, boring styles of half-bloods. You’ll need someone to dress and style you like a fae. Which is where my expertise comes into play.”

  “Oh.” I deflated, knowing my reaction was far from the excitement he wanted.

  “What’s wrong, honey?” His eyes flashed with concern.

  “I thought you were here to teach me how to win the Games,” I said. “Not to dress me up like some kind of faerie princess.”

  “Presenting yourself well will help you win the Games,” he said. “The gods claim the competitions are fair, but trust me, they’re not. They’re catered to the strengths of the players the faeries want to see win. And faeries respect good style. It’s why half-bloods have the awful dress code rules they do.” He grimaced at the thought, although he returned to his perky self a moment later. “They’re not allowed to outshine the fae. I’ll also be teaching you social strategies for the Games, which can be more important than the physical part.”

  “But don’t worry,” Finn said, his voice booming through the room. “I’m here to teach you how to use your new powers.”

  Electricity crackled through me at his words, and when I looked down at my hands, they were glowing. Bright streaks of white lightning moved through my palms, traveling up toward my elbows.

  For the first time in my life, I didn’t just feel my power.

  I saw it.

  “You have the same power I do?” I asked Finn.

  “No,” he said. “Jupiter’s never chosen a contestant for the Games. So no one’s ever trained a half-blood gifted with his powers. But Prince Devyn has his reasons for everything, including reasons for choosing us for this job. I’m one of the best trainers in the Otherworld. If anyone can prepare you for the Games, it’s me.”

  “He’s being modest.” Bryan placed a loving hand on Finn’s bicep. “Finn is the best trainer in the Otherworld.” He turned to face me again, excitement in his eyes as he bounced on the tips of his toes. “Now, get your gorgeous, blond head out of bed! Because it’s time to start your training.”

  27

  Selena

  Finn left to prepare the courtyard for my training, and Bryan stayed to get me ready. He dressed me in a shimmery, flared blue mini-dress with matching thigh-high boots. Even my eyes had light blue sparkly eye shadow on them.

  Since light blue was my wing color, I was supposed to stick to the color scheme with my clothing throughout the Games.

  “You can’t be serious,” I said, studying my reflection in the mirror.

  “Why not?” He frowned in disappointment at my reaction. “You look stunning.”

  “I look like I’m ready for a Halloween party. Not for magic training.”

  “Halloween?” His forehead knitted in confusion, but then he appeared to put it together. “Oh, right. That’s what they call Samhain on Earth now.” I opened my mouth to protest again, but he continued talking before I had a chance. “I can assure you, this dress would never do for the Samhain ball,” he said. “You’d need something far more fabulous for that. Now, come on. Finn is waiting in the courtyard, and while I love the man, patience has never been a virtue of his.” He strutted out of the room, pink sparkles trailing in his wake.

  I simply sighed again as I looked at the ridiculous outfit in the mirror and followed his lead. Because at the end of the day, what I was wearing was the least of my concerns.

  What mattered most was learning how to use my new powers.

  When I arrived in the courtyard, I found that Finn had placed various objects of different sizes on pedestals throughout the space. The objects were truly random—everything from a single grape to a stone the size of a basketball that looked suspiciously like a diamond.

  “Let’s start easy,” Finn said, walking to stand behind the pedestal with the single green grape. “I want you to touch this grape and incinerate it.”

  As I walked toward the grape, I thought about the invitation Iris had given me for my birthday party, and how I’d unsuccessfully tried to incinerate it. That night felt worlds away right now. But the urge to incinerate things had always been a part of me. I’d just never been able to harness it.

  Lightning crackled through me at the possibility that being chosen by Jupiter might have changed things. And while I hated the circumstances that had brought me to the Otherworld, and the ones that had made me a player in the Faerie Games, I also
felt empowered by the knowledge that I might have the power I’d craved for my entire life. I’d no longer be a pawn on someone else’s chessboard.

  Finally, I might be able to control my own destiny.

  The thought made the lightning crackle all the way down to my toes. My body glowed with bolts of magic, and I couldn’t wait to release it.

  I reached for the grape, ready to let loose on it. My fingers touched its soft surface and all the lightning building inside of me rushed outward in a blinding flash, an explosive crack filling the courtyard.

  The flash only lasted for a second. When it ended, it wasn’t only the grape that was gone.

  The entire pedestal was gone, too.

  The pedestal had been made of stone. Now all that remained of it was a pile of ashes on the ground.

  I flexed my fist, excitement buzzing through me at the realization that I’d been responsible for that.

  “I asked you to incinerate the grape.” Finn looked at the ashes and then back to me, smirking. “Not the entire pedestal.”

  “Sorry.” I shrugged, unable to help smiling back. “I let out the lightning, and it just kind of… happened.”

  “It’s certainly impressive for a first try,” he said. “But you’ll need to control your magic if you want to win the Faerie Games. So we have some serious work to do.”

  By mid-day, I’d incinerated over half of the courtyard with my electric touch. No matter what I tried, I couldn’t control the force of my lightning.

  As we continued, I grew hungry and tired. And as I tired, the power of my lightning weakened, too. Until finally, I managed to incinerate only a single grape, and not the entire pedestal it sat upon.