A Game of Noctis by Deva Fagan
Author:Deva Fagan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Published: 2024-04-09T00:00:00+00:00
Pasquale! It was just Vittoria and me now. I had to do something while the two Dolphins were distracted. Carefully, I aimed my silver arrow at the princeâs back. Then released it.
The bolt struck her square between the shoulders, exploding in a blaze of light.
Move! I dove through the archway as the girl stumbled forward and the boy gave a yelp of alarm. I couldnât risk retreating, not with the flames squeezing us all toward the center. Instead I ran to the left, desperately scanning for the next passage inward. Iâd lost count of the bells. Every breath tore out of me as I sprinted through the maze.
I flung myself through another archway, slowing only for a heartbeat to check the clues before pelting away to the right. The two Dolphins were close behind me, and yet, strangely, they didnât seem to be catching up.
Fury flared through me as I realized why. Because they werenât trying to catch me. They were following me. Watching to see which way I went. It was like the Sirens and the key all over again!
I dove through the next arch and ran five paces down the left-hand corridor. Then I turned, bow at the ready, just as the two Dolphins came through the gap.
I released my arrow. The prince wrenched up her shield, shattering the bolt. Then the hare was on me, silver dagger stabbing at my face.
I leapt back, trying to avoid the blow, but there was nowhere to run. The flaming wall was behind me, the dagger in front of me. Either could take me out of play with a touch.
But the hareâs blow didnât land. The dagger hovered an inch from my face. âWhatâs the trick?â the boy demanded. âYou figured out the riddle. Tell us.â
âOr what?â I spit back. âIâm not going to help you win!â
âFine,â said the hare, glowering at me. âNo sense keeping you around then.â
âWait,â called the prince, stalking closer.
Her blue eyes gleamed bright behind the crimson mask. A single crack ran along its cheek. âThereâs no way your team can win now. But if you tell us how to get to the center, you donât have to be a loser.â
I stared at her. âWhat do you mean?â
She rolled her eyes. âI mean, I can make it worth your while. A thousand segna.â
I blinked, flabbergasted. âAre you trying to bribe me?â
She shrugged. âIâm just playing to win. And so should you. If youâre smart.â
âNo!â I sputtered. âThatâs⦠thatâs notâ¦â
I trailed off, feeling sick. This wasnât how the game was meant to be played. Noctis was supposed to be a challenge of wit and grace, charm and cleverness. Not threats and intimidation and payoffs. âNo,â I said finally. âIâm not telling you anything.â
The bell began to toll, making all three of us jump.
âWe need to keep moving.â The hare looked to his prince. âWhatâs our play?â
The girl paced away. She stared at the floor, tapping one foot. Suddenly she stiffened. âItâs the odd numbers. Thatâs the trick.â
I sagged in despair.
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