Page 23 of Alluring Darkness
“Rico Hunter,” she continues reading from her paper. “Kaden Hunter. Jace Hunter.”
My brothers all turn towards me and grin.
“And Raina Smith,” she finishes.
Surprise flashes in my brothers’ eyes, and some people gasp closer to where Raina sits.
“Seriously?” Jace hisses while the professor continues on with the next team.
I just shoot him a sideways glance.
On my other side, Rico leans closer and speaks in a soft voice. “Are you sure about this, Eli? She’s the weakest person on this entire campus.”
“I know,” I reply.
“Then why the hell is she on our team,” Jace mutters. “This is my first time. I want us to fucking crush it.”
I slide my gaze to Kaden, waiting to see if he’s going to protest too. But he just sits there, watching me with calm dark eyes and waiting for me to explain my reasoning.
“All four of us are here this year,” I say, looking each one of them in the eye. “We all know that the four of us can carry this entire tournament on our own.”
A smug grin spreads across Jace’s mouth. Rico tips his head to the side, as if conceding the point. I look at Kaden, who nods.
“So there is no reason to worry,” I continue. “I made sure that Raina is on our team because we deserve to have some fun along the way.”
Now, Kaden smiles too. It’s the sadistic one full of quiet anticipation that he so often wears.
“In two weeks, team training is starting,” I say. “Which means that the four of us and Raina will have entire afternoons together. And do you know what that means?”
Kaden’s smile widens while Jace rubs his hands together. Rico just lets out an amused huff.
“That means that we will have all the time and privacy in the world…” I match their grins. “To torment her.”
11
RAINA
Everyone around me shoots me sympathetic looks. Frowning, I glance between them while the people in the auditorium slowly start getting to their feet.
“What?” I ask.
Magda draws in a breath and shrugs. “Well, it was nice knowing you.”
“What does that mean?”
From my other side, Gabriel gives me an apologetic look. “It’s just… the Hunters are insane.”
“Yeah, but I’m on the same team as them.” With the frown still on my face, I shake my head a couple of times to show that I really don’t understand their reasoning. “Shouldn’t that mean I’m in the safest position possible?”
“No offense,” Magda begins in a tone that makes it clear that she doesn’t actually care one bit if I’m offended or not. “But you’re the weakest person here.”
“Ouch,” I mutter, but then shrug. “But okay, what does that have to do with anything?”
“Everyone knows that the Hunters can influence the instructors so that they get the people they want. Why do you think all four of them are on the same team?”
“Not to mention that it’s usually four people per team,” Gabriel adds. “And now it’s suddenly five.”
“So?” I prompt.