Page 10 of The Fake Divination Offense
I step to the side of the door, leaning against the bar’s window, and dart my eyes up and down the street. No sign of that guy.
Alexo stays tucked into himself. He seems zoned out, unaware of anyone or anything around him. The way he was on stage, sucked into his performance.
I push at the inside of my teeth with my tongue.
That focus was sexy on stage. It’s worrying here.
No, I snap at myself. Not worrying. Because he’s notmineto worry about.
The bus rolls up to the stop.
Alexo doesn’t look back as he boards. Why would he? I stayed in the bar.
Ishould havestayed in the bar.
This is as far as it goes. He’s on the bus; he’ll get home safe. I have to trust he meant it when he said he can take care of himself. Maybe he’s a wizard, like Seb, and he was one spell vial away from fireballing that guy before I stepped in.
Back inside, Seb and Thio have claimed a standing table, while Marlow’s flirting with the bartender and Darian’s on his second song to an adoring crowd who have recognized him as a Hellhounds bard.
“Damn it.” Thio punches my shoulder. “I bet Sebastian a—thingthat you wouldn’t come back.”
Seb grins at his fiancé. “Like my prize is something you’resoopposed to doing.”
When I don’t good-naturedly blanch at what’s clearly foreplay, Seb’s expression softens.
“You okay? Did he not want to give you his number?”
I shake my head, then amend, “No, it’s not that.” But my mouth hangs open.
I really, really don’t want to get into it. Any of it.
Not tonight. Not when we should be celebrating.
Why hasn’t this felt like a celebration?
“I’m gonna get some champagne. That’s what we need.” I tap a quick rhythm on the table and shove away to Seb’s disgruntled “O—”
It’ll take some time to settle out of the fight-or-flight reaction. That’s all. I need to come down from the trauma response. My therapy appointments will be more spaced out going into the season, which will help my schedule feel normalized. I’ll do my job, make sure the Hellhounds have no reason to regret accepting my trade, whether or not the team has it out for me. I’ll worry about the things I can control, and fuck all the rest.
Today marks a turning point in my life, and from now on, I’m movingforward.
No matter what.
Chapter Two
Morning News: “Welcome toOne Shot, your number-one source for the latest in pro rawball news. I’m your host, Diamanda Blacktalon, here with my cohost, Vaknox of the Lizard People of Tesh. Last night, Orok Monroe was spotted rescuing a singer at the Silver Hound karaoke bar. The Hellhounds’ newest defensive tank is a known devotee of the stone god of strength, Urzoth Shieldsworn. A rescue mission isn’t quite in keeping with a god whose followers recently burned down a pizza parlor, is it, Vaknox?”
*lizard hissing noises*
“Exactly. I wouldn’t have believed it myself, but you can see in this clip—there, pause it there—Monroe is wearing some kind of enchanted subtitling device, and he’s clearly asking if the victim is okay.”
*lizard hissing noises*
“You’re right, they seem quite cozy! Don’t you worry, viewers; our best reporters are at work uncovering the identity of this mystery man, who used the karaoke name Alexo the Magnificent.”
*lizard hissing noises*
“What a scandalous thing to say, Vaknox! One thing’s for certain: Orok Monroe hasn’t even played an official game with the Hellhounds yet, and he’s already shaking things up in Philadelphia.”
