Page 67 of Tailwind

I broke away, desperate for the cold night air to take away the blush that was no doubt filling my face. Quinn had opted for finding the nearby lamp post incredibly interesting. I didn’t blame him, Theo was embarrassing us both.

‘I’m going to go check on Josie. Poor Colly might have trapped them in an infinite loop of conversation.’

I rushed away, staying close to the mountain wall rather than going anywhere near the open chasm. I’d had enough bad luck for one night. Looking back over my shoulder was incredibly tempting, which was horrifying. Why did I want to look back at Theo? What did I want to see when I did?

I didn’t want to be asking myself those questions, let alone answering them. So instead I hurried to the safety of the aviary and team dorms, desperate to put the night behind me.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

We need to talk.

The words didn’t change no matter how many times I checked them. The note from Cam had been delivered to my dorm before sunrise. The block letters were printed on the thin paper used by all Comms Offices. For Cam to have gone out of her way to use public comms it must have been important. There was only one topic she’d deem worthy. While I’d read and reread the message dozens of times, I’d yet to respond.

It was the morning of the Prevere race and I already had plenty to do. I showered and dressed. I got Gottyk awake, fed and cleaned. The marketing team had been in to repaint the sponsors on his wings so I covered it all in waterproof coating.

That had reminded me it was due to rain, so I’d lingered in the aviary tunnel to catch Josie and discuss strategy.

There had been no time for me to get to a comms terminal. Even though she hadn’t said anything since the Kiestral race. Even though she’d promised to let me know if anything happened back home.

‘Lena!’ Josie tossed a copper pellet at me. It bounced off my forehead. She had good aim.

‘Right, yeah sorry.’ I started moving, reaching instinctually for the broom propped up nearby.

‘What’s wrong with you?’ she asked, stepping in front of me.

I looked around. Gottyk’s aviary was already spotless. She hadn’t been asking me to help. I stared at her, my chest too tight.

‘Um—’ was all I got out before Josie decided to take matters into her own hands.

She swiped the note out of my hand. The paper was covered in creases, having been folded over and over while Josie had briefed me.

‘Is it Theo? I knew you two had a weird thing going on after dinner the other night. You came back all twitchy.’

Theo was the least of my problems, which really put into perspective how bad this was going to be.

‘No. Though if you’re going to open up that topic I feel like you have something to spill too.’ Anything to change the subject. I did my best not to grab back at the note.

‘Oh, please,’ she said, tossing her glossy hair back over her shoulder. ‘It’s nothing serious with Jas. We all need to let off some steam now and then.’

‘Wait, what?’

She was far too calm to be revealing information this shocking. ‘He’s cute, available and discreet. There’s nothing wrong with it. Honestly I think you could do with a tumble with someone to help you relax – you clearly need it.’

I blinked, reeling. ‘That’s not what I meant. I’m not judging you. I just thought it was Colly who had a crush on you.’

The look she gave me sent chills down my spine. ‘Colly is eighteen, barely more than a child. I’m over ten years older than him, Lena. Do you think I’m some kind of creep? Anyway, Jas isn’t a crush, he’s fun.’

I clearly hadn’t been paying attention.

‘Okay, fair enough.’ I cleared my throat, about to drag this conversation out as long as possible.

That’s when Josie read my message. She frowned.

‘Is this from your sister? What did she say?’

‘Uh …’ I bounced on my feet, suddenly wanting to leave.

Her eyes widened. ‘What did she say?’