Dark Heart of Magic by Jennifer Estep

other, a stick of cherry cotton candy clutched in his hand. The pixie noticed me staring and whipped his cotton candy back and forth like a flag, almost knocking Mo’s hat off. Mo grabbed for the cotton candy, but Oscar was too quick and darted out of his reach. I grinned and waved back at them.
    I swung my gaze to the opposite side of the stadium and the Draconi box. To my surprise, the box was empty except for a single woman. She was wearing a large white hat with a black ribbon around the floppy brim, so I couldn’t see her face, just the long, blond hair trailing down her shoulders. I wondered who she was, but it didn’t matter. If she was sitting in the Family box, then she was a Draconi and an enemy.
    Three men carrying trumpets strode out into the middle of the stadium and blasted out several loud, cheery notes. The crowd hushed, and a low drumbeat rang out, getting louder and faster with every second. Everyone on the bleachers leaned forward, while the competitors did the same around the chain-link fence.
    â€œAnd now, the event you’ve all been waiting for, the Tournament of Blades!” a voice called out through the sound system.
    Everyone inside the stadium went wild, including me. I didn’t know why, but I was yelling, cheering, and clapping as loudly as everyone else. The noise went on for more than a minute before the officials waved their hands, calling for quiet.
    â€œAnd now, to get things started, let’s welcome last year’s returning champion, Deah Draconi!” the announcer boomed.
    Hearty cheers filled the air as Deah left the fence behind and strode over to the start of the obstacle course. As the reigning champion, she had the honor of being introduced first. A smile split her face, and she bowed to one side of the stadium, then the other.
    Beside me, Felix clapped and clapped his hands before letting out a loud, ear-splitting whistle. I looked at him, and he grinned and shrugged his shoulders. He couldn’t help himself. Not where Deah was concerned. I didn’t know if that was sweet or stupid.
    Once the cheers died down, the officials welcomed everyone, then started randomly calling out numbers, since the competitors would be split into four groups for the obstacle course.
    Devon’s number was the first one called. He winked at me, waved to the crowd, and went over to stand beside Deah. They nodded at each other.
    More numbers were called, including Blake’s, Poppy’s, Katia’s, and Vance’s, until there was only one spot left for the opening round of the obstacle course.
    â€œNumber three, Lila Merriweather!”
    What was it with me always being picked last? If this kept up, I was going to develop a complex or something. But I fist-bumped Felix, waved to the crowd, and took my place at the starting line next to Devon.
    â€œI would wish you good luck, but you don’t need it,” he said.
    I grinned. “You’re right. I don’t. Eat my dust, Sinclair.”
    He laughed and nudged me with his shoulder. I nudged him back, staring into his eyes—
    â€œWell, isn’t this sweet?” a snide voice said. “You going to help your girlfriend get through the course too, Devon? I mean, you already got her into the tournament.”
    Vance swaggered up next to me, the number nine pinned to his chest. He nudged me with his elbow too, but it wasn’t a friendly gesture. I nudged him back even harder, right in his stomach, making him wince.
    â€œThe only one who needs help here is you, Vance,” I snarked. “How are you going to get through the course without messing up your hair?”
    Vance reached up to pat his golden locks and make sure they were slicked back into place. When he realized what he was doing, he dropped his hand and scowled at me.
    Then, he noticed Katia standing on his other side, and he perked right back up again. “Hello, there,” he purred. “I don’t think we’ve