Creeping Shadow (The Rise of Isaac, Book One) (28 page)

He wandered after May, with Anna and Ely in tow. They reached the pebble beach that ran around the edge of the lake and gathered there with the other teams.

Oliver could see bandages and patches covering a lot of the other contestants. Larkin's team was irritatingly unharmed. Oliver rubbed his arm where the wolverbat had caught him, the pain was gone but it itched a little as magic tingled beneath his skin, finishing the healing process.

Rogan and Quinn joined them a moment later, accompanied by an outburst of cheers from the crowd, a hundred or so meters away. A stage with an enormous survision screen sat at one end of the beach. Abbicus Brown stood at a podium accompanied by Ray Falls and Truvian Gold, who were chatting together animatedly at the side of the stage.

Abbicus Brown cleared his throat into the microphone. "Congratulations to all of you. Although you haven't all qualified for tomorrow's race, do not be disheartened. You have raced with courage and strength and you can come back another season to win another day."

A tumult of applause erupted from the crowd and teams. Abbicus paused to let it die down before continuing. "So, without further ado, I'd like to welcome your glorious commentators up to the podium to announce the teams who have qualified for tomorrow's race: please give a round of applause for the beautiful Ray Falls and the fabulous Truvian Gold."

He clapped as he backed away, allowing them to step up to the podium. They waited for the crowd to calm down and ominous music was played across the survision to build tension.

"The first group across the finish line, and qualifying for tomorrow's race is, Team Thrake," Ray Falls said, clapping along with the crowd.

"The following teams have qualified and will be announced in the order they crossed the finish line," said Truvian Gold, listing off team after team. Oliver hardly listened until the last of the names were called out. "Teams Loop, Ganderfield, Zhoulin, Koop, Lost, Visikin, and, by the skin of their teeth, Team Pandalin!"

The crowd applauded as each team was announced but when their team was called out the crowd went crazy. Oliver looked closely at them to see banners waving in the air saying things like
We love you Rogan
and
Quinn to Win
.

Oliver raised an eyebrow at Rogan who laughed and whooped with the rest of them. He broke into a laugh himself and joined in with all the teams who had qualified as they cheered wildly.

"Now for some not so good news," Ray Falls said, looking sad. "Unfortunately, our survision team recorded two acts of rule breaking in the race. The first reprimand goes to Larkin Pipistrelle of Team Visikin."

Oliver's heart leapt as he heard the Visikins boo and hiss at Ray Falls.

She glared at them and continued. "Mr Pipistrelle was recorded aggravating a hogtrout which, in turn, put another team in danger. Therefore, it has been decided that Larkin and his team will be reprimanded with a warning and a sixty second time penalty at the start of tomorrow's race."

Oliver's team were booing now and many of the crowd joined in with them.

"He broke the rules. He should be disqualified!" Rogan shouted.

"Quiet. The decision has been made," Truvian Gold stepped in.

"The second reprimand goes to Team Zhoulin who split up during their second task, so that half the team had continued on through the course, leaving the other half behind. However, their separation was brief and they did start the next part of the course as an entire team. Therefore, your team will also be given a warning and a sixty second time penalty. A second warning for either team will result in disqualification.

"So, well done to everyone taking part, please make your way to the pod station to be taken to your cabins where you will stay until tomorrow morning. A party will be held for the qualifying teams but don't stay up too late because you'll need your energy for tomorrow's race," Ray Falls said with a grin, stepping down to a round of applause.

The crowd started to dissipate and chat amongst themselves and Oliver let them sweep him and his friends towards the pod station, his head buzzing with excitement.

26

After Night has Fallen

T
heir cabin was divided into two bedrooms, one for each gender, with a small living area in between.

Oliver and Rogan were sprawled out on their beds after an afternoon of resting. Oliver's legs had practically given way underneath him as the excitement from the race finally deserted him, leaving his body aching and tired. Somehow a nap had made his body ache even more. He groaned as he got to his feet.

He heard a kettle whistling in the living area so went through in the hope of finding some Glacian tea. May was there. She handed him a steaming mug which he gulped down quickly before she topped it up again. The warmth spread through his body like liquid fire and soothed his aching muscles.

"That's better," he said, leaning back in the fur-covered armchair.

Oliver stared out of the window that overlooked the lake and let his eyes droop as he watched the dusky light of the sunset ripple and dance across the water. He made out the vague outline of huge mountains overshadowing the lake on the other side.

The island was somewhere out there, with the Gateway to Glacio hidden upon it. A strong wind picked up and broke the calm water into little waves. He pushed the thought of tomorrow away and sipped at his tea, enjoying the temporary peace of the evening and warmth of the cabin.

Anna emerged from the girl's room in a navy tracksuit with their team name written in swirling writing across the back. Oliver was already wearing the same in the masculine version.

"How's your leg?" he asked.

"Yeah great, thanks. The burns are all gone." She smiled.

Oliver hardly felt up to a party after the day they had had but couldn't help feeling excited about qualifying. Clothes had been provided for them in the colours of their team which they changed into as the evening drew in.

Despite Rogan wearing the same suit as Oliver he had, once again, managed to make himself look like a film star. Rogan ran a hand through his hair with a spark of light that made his hair sit perfectly, having now removed the gloves which blocked his magic.

They met the girls in the lounge where they found them wearing dresses in the same colours. Quinn's was much tighter and lower cut than the other girls' and Anna was eyeing her with a frown on her face.

"Don't you look stunning?" Rogan said to Quinn and she rolled her eyes. "What?"

"Can we just get going?" Quinn said, placing her hands on her hips.

"Alright, just gimme a kiss first," Rogan said with a cheeky grin.

Anna and May sidled away from them and out the front door, looking uncomfortable.

"Leave me alone, Rogan," Oliver heard Quinn say grumpily as he hurried to follow the girls outside.

Quinn walked ahead of them as they headed to the hall by the lake where the party was being held. Others were emerging from their cabins, all dressed in the colours of their teams.

The sun had fully set now and the dappled light that was shining through the dark clouds reflected on the lapping water of the lake.

Oliver stuffed his hands in his pockets as a cool breeze whipped up. They approached the hall and a welcome gust of warmth rushed over them as they entered the grand room that was thronging with people. It was dimly lit with a large dance floor at one end where coloured lights twisted and twirled on the currently empty space.

Tables were spread around labelled with each of their team names, dressed in linen cloths and laid with silver cutlery. They found theirs at one side near a large window, overlooking the lake that looked almost black beneath the night sky.

A long buffet table ran most of the length of one wall and Oliver's stomach rumbled at the thought of food. He and Rogan made it to the buffet first and queued along the table as they started piling their plates high. Oliver didn't recognise much so chose whatever Rogan did.

The girls joined them at the buffet then followed them back to the table a moment later.

Oliver and Rogan began to wolf down their food and Quinn watched Rogan in disgust as he ate.

"Do you
have
to eat like that?" she asked him.

"Yesh," he said through a mouthful of food.

"So, I suppose you're planning on eating like that at our wedding, are you?"

"Yep," he scooped another forkful into his mouth.

Oliver shared an awkward look with May and Anna then stilled as he spotted Larkin approaching their table.

"Great," Oliver mumbled.

"Hello, losers," he said, flicking his head so his hair moved out of his eyes.

Larkin reached out a hand to touch Quinn's arm and she slapped it away.

"Don't touch me." She got to her feet. "What in
Vale
were you thinking?"

"Calm down, babe, I was just having a laugh. You qualified anyway didn't you?" he said, raising his eyebrows.

His friend, Arrow, shuffled up behind him.

"You could have gotten us killed," Anna said, stabbing her food with a knife.

"If only," Arrow said with a sneer.

Anna scowled at him.

Larkin looked at her. "Cheer up babe, frowning doesn't suit you."

"Well being a complete arse suits
you
just fine," Anna snapped.

"Ooo, get you," Larkin said raising his hands in mock fear.

"Why do you even bother talking to us?" Oliver asked angrily.

"I wasn't talking to
you
I came over to talk to Quinn," Larkin said.

"And clearly she doesn't want to talk to you," Oliver said, his temper rising. "So you can leave now."

Arrow moved around the table closer to May. "This your sister?" he asked Oliver.

May frowned at him. "So what if I am?"

"You're adopted aren't you? At least you're not blood-" Arrow was cut off as Oliver was on his feet in a second and shoved him in the chest.

Arrow blinked in surprise then his features rearranged into a snarl. "You'll regret that."

Oliver was forced backwards into the table as Arrow collided with him. Rogan jumped up and used a wave of magic to force Arrow off of him.

Oliver righted himself and realised most of the room had stopped to watch them. As far as he could tell, there was no one in the hall to monitor them.

"You might wanna think real carefully about your next move," Rogan said to Arrow and Larkin, sparks flashing threateningly in his palm.

Larkin eyed him warily then looked at Quinn for support. She glowered at him.

"Oh, this really is pathetic. Are these your
friends
now, Quinn?" Larkin said.

"Yes, so? You think you're better than them?" Quinn challenged.

"I don't think I'm better than them. I know I am, babe," he said and Arrow smirked.

"Don't call me babe." Fire lit in Quinn's hand and Larkin took a step back.

He looked like he was about to say something then changed his mind. "Whatever. See you, losers," he said then slinked away with Arrow in tow, trying not to lose face.

Quinn's brown eyes glittered but she blinked furiously to stop the tears from falling then stormed off toward the toilet. Anna jumped up and followed her, leaving an awkward silence in the room.

Oliver returned to his seat and everyone began to chatter excitedly amongst themselves in hushed voices. Rogan sat down and stuffed food into his mouth angrily; May watched him in silence.

Truvian Gold entered through the door at the other end and some of the teams applauded. Ray Falls entered next followed closely by a few members of the Race Committee but Laura wasn't amongst them. They all sat together at a large table then music started up and the lights dimmed down. Some of the girls around the room jumped up with squeals and started dancing in the space at the end of the hall.

Oliver gazed down at his plate, no longer feeling hungry.

Quinn returned a while later with Anna. She slumped into her chair and stared out into the room as Anna took her seat next to Oliver and threw him an anxious look.

"Is she okay?" Oliver asked quietly.

"I can hear you," Quinn said, not looking at him.

"Well,
are
you?" Oliver said, louder.

"I'm just fine," she said airily.

"You don't seem fine," Rogan chipped in but it was a mistake.

"What do you care?" Quinn rounded on him. "You never ask how I am."

"What? Yes I do," Rogan said, looking shocked.

Quinn got to her feet. "Just leave me alone, okay?" She stormed across the room into the crowd.

"What did I do?" Rogan asked no one in particular.

"I don't know." Oliver was out of his depth.

"She's just upset about Larkin," Anna said.

"Who cares about that guy? He's a complete idiot," Rogan said.

"She knows that now. But she thought he was her friend," Anna explained.

"And now he's not. Good riddance," Rogan said, starting to eat once more.

Oliver agreed but didn't say so out loud. "Let's just forget about it," he said.

"Wanna go dance, Anna?" May asked, clearly trying to escape the tension.

"Yes." She nodded, got up and followed May to the dance floor.

"
Girls
," Rogan said, shaking his head.

Oliver laughed and Rogan broke a smile. "Quinn drives me crazy sometimes," he said.

"How long have you guys been engaged?" Oliver asked.

"Our families arranged our marriage when we were ten," he said casually.

"What? Seriously?" Oliver asked in shock.

"Oh, yeah, I forget you're from Earth sometimes. My family and Quinn's are two of the most powerful in Aleva so we were a good match. We're both Lanic mages, third borns."

Oliver remembered Ely explaining but it was hard to imagine them being paired up so young. "So, you were engaged to her when you were ten years old?"

"Sort of, we spent a lot of time together as we grew up and then we got officially engaged at sixteen."

"And you're okay with that?" Oliver couldn't help but ask.

"Yeah, I mean, most of the time," Rogan said with a half-smile.

Oliver raised his eyebrows at him.

"I guess, in an ideal world I'd have a choice in who I marry but it's not like that for mages."

"That doesn't seem fair," Oliver said with a frown.

"Maybe not, but it makes sense. There wouldn't be any mages left eventually if we married other people."

"I suppose. So, are you happy that Quinn's the girl you have to marry?" Oliver asked.

"Yeah, she's great." He smiled. "Now, let's have some fun." He got to his feet. "Wanna dance?" He held out his hand in an exaggerated gesture.

Oliver laughed and smacked his hand away. He knew he was a terrible dancer but wanted to enjoy the rest of the night. "Okay, let's do it."

They joined May and Anna on the dance floor which was packed with people. There was no sign of Quinn and Oliver noticed Rogan glancing around for her occasionally. A swarm of girls tried desperately to get Rogan's attention but he ignored them and Oliver and the others formed a circle to isolate themselves.

Oliver didn't know any of the songs but he had rarely known who sung the number one back on Earth so it made little difference to him. A slow song came on and Oliver panicked.

The people around him were pairing up in couples. A group of girls shuffled closer to Rogan but he continued to ignore them and reached for May.

Oliver half glanced at Anna, wanting to ask her. He gripped her arm in a bold move and she moved toward him, looping her arms around his neck. She was closer to him than she'd ever been before, their bodies pressed against one another. Oliver couldn't see anything outside of their own space.

She looked up at him, her dark eyes highlighted with a hint of makeup. He suddenly relaxed, his mouth no longer dry. It was the most natural thing in the world to be this close to her. His heart thumped slow and regular against his chest.

He pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and he felt her move into his touch. Her mouth tilted up at him suggestively as he bumped into someone.

Oliver stopped abruptly and turned to see Rogan standing there holding May close to him. But his eyes weren't on her, they were on something across the room. May stepped away from him, turning to follow his gaze and Oliver swivelled to do the same.

Across the room, Quinn was perched on Truvian Gold's lap giggling and stroking his hair.

Oliver swung around to look at Rogan in shock.

"I'm gonna go for a walk," he said tersely, and marched straight out of the hall into the darkness outside.

Oliver looked around at Anna for support, he was still holding her waist and released her in a flash. "What should we do?" he asked.

"I better get Quinn. She's making a fool of herself," Anna said, and walked off towards them.