Tin Thoughts (The Downfall Saga Book 2) Page 17

  “They can if they’re wrong,” said Caddaric.

  “What’s your problem?” asked Donovan.

  “You are,” said Caddaric, walking over to the bed. “Why are you always trying to make me look stupid?”

  “Firstly, it’s easy. Secondly, it’s fun.”

  Caddaric clenched his fists at his side.

  “I’ll give you some fun.”

  “Careful Donovan, or you’ll lose your pants,” said Kort.

  “That’s not the type of fun I go for,” said Donovan.

  The two of them flopped onto their backs and laughed hysterically.

  “Boys! That’s enough or you can all leave my room.”

  Donovan laughed for a moment too long and Kort punched him in the shoulder.

  “Sorry,” said Donovan.

  “We’ll be good,” said Kort.

  “We’re here to decide on the members of our team,” said Ravyn, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

  “Yours and mine,” said Caddaric.

  “We’re representing the entire school, so we cannot let everybody down,” said Ravyn.

  “Right. So let’s pick the four best wizards and be done with it,” said Caddaric.

  “I don’t believe that it’s that simple,” said Ravyn. “We need to assemble the best team to successfully complete the tasks.”

  “We don’t know what the tasks are, so picking the best wizards will give us the best chance at winning.”

  Ravyn looked over at Kort and Donovan, but they just sat there silently.

  “We’ve been told that the tasks won’t necessarily all have a magical focus. We need to study this book to create a list of desired skills for the team members.”

  “I just want to pick the team so that we can move on.”

  “I suppose that you already have some people picked out.”

  “I have some ideas.”

  Ravyn watched Caddaric as he walked over to the wall and leaned against it before continuing.

  “You and I need to be in agreement,” he said. “If we can’t come to an agreement on the members of the team, then we should both step down as co-captains for the good of the team.”

  “I agree. You mentioned magical ability, and I agree that it’s important, but I feel that we need to look at other things as well.”

  “Very true. We should assume that a certain level of physical fitness is required.”

  “I didn’t see any settlements on the map, so we’ll need people who don’t mind getting a little dirty. The terrain looks rough and there are areas marked as dangerous.”

  “Orienteering and maybe even mountaineering could be important. We’ll need people who aren’t afraid of danger. They’ll need to be mature enough to work in a team.”

  “Stop, stop,” said Kort. “Clearly you’re describing me, and I graciously accept one of the spots on your team.”

  “You?” said Caddaric.

  “What makes you think that you should be on the team?” said Ravyn.

  “He did mention maturity, so he clearly wasn’t describing you,” said Donovan.

  “I suppose you expect to be on the team as well?” asked Caddaric.

  Donovan shrugged his shoulders, but didn’t respond.

  “I just assumed that there were privileges for dating one of the captains,” said Kort.

  Ravyn tried to hide the look of disgust on her face as she turned away from Kort, but Caddaric clearly saw it. He pretended to scratch his chin to hide his smile.

  “I can’t speak for Ravyn, but I don’t want either of you on my team,” said Caddaric.

  “What do you think, Ravyn?” asked Kort.

  “I ... I need more time to study the book,” she said, holding out the book in one hand.

  Caddaric stepped over to her and took the book out of her hand. He tossed it onto the bed beside Donovan.

  “The book won’t help you. You need to make this decision on your own,” said Caddaric.

  Ravyn looked over at Kort’s imploring face, before turning to watch Donovan flip through the book. He was casually turning pages and skimming the contents until he turned to the map of the island. His eyes went wide and he started tracing its contours with his finger. She watched his lips move as he read the details in the legend.

  Finally he looked up.

  “Is this the island where the competition is being held?”

  “Yes,” she replied.

  “I need to be on the team.”

  “I don’t understand. The island is somewhere north of Kern across a stretch of ocean. What could it possibly mean to you?”

  He opened and closed his mouth several times without speaking.

  “I need this. I’ll do whatever either of you tell me to do if you include me on the team. I have never asked you for much before, but I need this.” He tapped the map of the island with his finger.

  “What’s so important about the island?” asked Caddaric.

  “I can’t say.”

  “You mean that you won’t say. If you want to keep secrets, then you’ll be keeping them here because I won’t have you on my team.”

  Donovan looked back down at the map and seemed to be studying every detail.

  “I ... I found a map when I was in Eamon’s house this summer, a map of this island, only I couldn’t find it on any of the maps at Haven. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that none of our explorers spent time sailing north of Kern.”

  “So?”

  “Eamon said that my father was searching for something. Something that is on this island. He was looking for information about it, but Eamon didn’t know anything. My father could be on the island right now for all I know. You must take me with you. Please, I need this.”

  Caddaric crossed his arms but didn’t answer.

  Ravyn looked towards the door.

  “It’s not like I’m completely useless,” continued Donovan. “My magic might be, but I’m good with a sword and comfortable outside. You two know me. You know that I offer something unique that you won’t find in any other student.”

  “I suppose that there would be room for one person like you,” said Ravyn quietly, still watching the door.

  “Two of us, you mean,” said Kort. “If you take one, then you’re stuck with the other as well.”

  Donovan glared at Kort and looked like he wanted to do bodily harm to him.

  “I don’t want either of you on my team,” said Caddaric, “but I’m a reasonable man. If Ravyn wants you two on the team, then I get to choose the final two members.”

  Ravyn finally turned to look at the two of them. She studied their faces.

  “Alright, you can both be on the team, but I expect both of you to be on your best behavior, and you must promise to do whatever we ask you to do.”

  “You have my word,” said Donovan.

  “If he goes, then I go,” said Kort, draping his arm across Donovan’s shoulders.

  Ravyn narrowed her eyes.

  “Of course you have my word,” said Kort. “Now quit it with the look.”

  Ravyn softened her stared, but didn’t smile.

  “You sure about this?” asked Caddaric.

  She nodded.

  Caddaric took a deep breath and thought about his selections. The Millers sounded like a perfect group to associate himself with, but he wasn’t sure if he could tolerate Thanasis’ tactics. He only had one choice to make, if he wanted to keep the opportunity with the Millers open.

  “The final two members are Finian Thane and Brighid Huld.”

  He was met by confused stares from around the room.

  Chapter 20

  “It’s so gross and slimy,” said Satine, clutching Kort’s arm.

  “It’s only a frog,” said Kort. “I loved catching them as a kid. Have you ever eaten frog legs?”

  “Ugh, no. Do they taste like small chicken thighs?”

  “Uh ... sure they do.”

  Professor Elthia’s class was paired up around the room. The lab
was spotless and had a pungent smell which irritated Kort’s nose. A gleaming metal tray sat on each table with a large, dead frog laying on it.

  Kort reached out to spread its legs apart.

  “Is it a boy or a girl?” asked Satine, prodding it between the legs.

  “It’s a girl,” said Kort, glancing at it.

  “How do you know?”

  “Look at those thin, delicate fingers. They’re clearly a girl’s.”

  “Oh, you.” She playfully punched him on the shoulder.

  “Are you ready to look inside?”

  “No, that’s disgusting.”

  “It’s why we’re here.”

  Kort picked up the razor and mentally drew a line where he was going to make his cut. He made the first cut between the hind legs.

  “Ew,” she squealed. She grabbed Kort in a tight embrace, burying here face on his shoulder.

  He carefully set down the razor before rubbing her back.

  “Is that a new perfume?”

  She lifted her head off his shoulder, but didn’t let go of him. She put her face uncomfortably close to his. He got a good look at her large blue eyes, and white teeth between red lips.

  “I can’t believe you noticed. Do you like it?” She pulled his face down towards her neck.

  Her new perfume had a spicy aroma which was a welcome change from the usual sickly sweet scent.

  “It’s nice,” he said when she released his head.

  He freed himself from her grip and went back to the frog. He was surprised by how effortlessly the razor cut through its skin. He finished the ‘H’ shaped pattern of cuts and opened the flaps of skin like shutters on a window.

  “It stinks,” she said.

  Kort bent down and gave it a good sniff. The smell barely registered compared to many of the things he’d smelled on his family’s farm.

  “It’s not that bad.”

  Kort began making sketches on a piece of paper beside the metal tray.

  “How can you look at that? I can’t look at it. You have to help me. Can you come over and help me?”

  “I ... uh.”

  “You want me to do well, right?”

  “Yeah, of course.”

  “Then you’ll come over to my place tonight and help me.”

  “It’s a special day for one of my friends. I want to—”

  “It’s just a study session. You know how smart I am. It won’t take too long, and you can then go see your friend. Your studies come first, right?”

  Kort had a fair idea how smart she was, and feared that it would take way more than a single study session to help her out.”

  Kort went back to sketching the frog’s organs. Satine grew bored and started chatting with one of her other friends. Kort tried to tune out the high pitched nattering, and focus on finishing the lab.

  ***

  Kort gently knocked on Satine’s door, hoping that she wouldn’t hear, and he’d have an excuse for missing the study session. Tonight was Ravyn’s birthday, and despite her protests, he’d bought her a special gift which he couldn’t wait to give to her.

  The door opened a crack.

  “Kort, I wasn’t sure if you were going to make it,” said Satine.

  The door opened further and Kort slipped inside. Satine stepped out from behind the door and gave him a big hug, pushing the door closed with her foot.

  Kort stood there stiffly. There was a lot more bare flesh pressed against him than he was used to.

  She released him and took a step back. She saw the look on his face and looked down at herself.

  “I was just changing my clothes when you interrupted me. Make yourself comfortable, I’ll be back shortly.”

  Kort found himself staring at her as she crossed the room. He couldn’t even imagine what Ravyn would do if she saw him right now.

  Once she stepped into the bedroom and closed the door behind her, he let out the breath that he had been holding and could finally move again.

  Her place in the Burrow was much larger than his room. It was full of carefully organized clutter. The room was highlighted by many pink or yellow decorations with more than a little lace thrown in, and his nose was assaulted by an array of flowery aromas. He tried to decide where to sit. Clothing hung from the back of the chair by the desk, which he didn’t want to get caught pawing through. That left a daybed and a couch, its cushions covered in a royal red colored fabric. He settled on the couch, and sat down. He sunk down several inches, but had to admit that it was comfortable.

  Satine returned from her bedroom, dressed slightly more appropriately. Her pink shorts barely covered the areas which shorts were supposed to cover, and were tight enough that Kort was surprised that she could get herself into them. A thin white shirt clung to her curves and showed more than Kort was comfortable seeing.

  “So, I ... uh ... brought my notes with me,” said Kort. “Where do you want to start?”

  “You’re so studious.”

  Kort had to stifle a laugh. That was the first time anyone had called him that, but come to think of it, he had been a lot more focused on his schoolwork than he was last year.

  “I find that I remember things better when there’s a tactile part to my studying. Is that okay with you?”

  “Of course.” Kort liked to re-write his notes when he studied, so he couldn’t understand why she’d even bother asking.

  “Let’s start by reviewing the muscles,” she said.

  Kort started rifling through his bag to find his notes.

  “Don’t worry about those,” she said. “I’m sure we can figure them out between the two of us.”

  “Alright. What’s the largest muscle in the human body?”

  “Oh my, let’s not start there. Stand up, I need a model to look at.”

  Kort fought to free himself from the soft cushions on the couch and stood in front of Satine, shoulders pressed back and chest puffed out.

  “I can’t see any of your muscles that way. Come on, off with the shirt.”

  She grabbed the bottom of his shirt and pulled it up over his head before he knew it.

  “Hey. What are you doing?” he said through a mouthful of shirt.

  She pulled his shirt the rest of the way off and tossed it into the corner of the room.

  “If I knew that farmers looked like that, I would have left the city a long time ago.” She cocked her head to the side and bit her lower lip as she studied his shirtless torso.

  Kort crossed his arms.

  “I’m not going to bite ... unless you want me to.” She ran her hands over the back of his arms. “Triceps, right?”

  He relaxed a bit and let her move his arms to his sides.

  “I’m already familiar with the abdominals.” She ran her cold finger along the crests and troughs on his stomach. “Unless you want to go into greater detail?”

  “That’s alright,” he squeaked.

  “Which brings us to the pectoralis major and the deltoid. I could spent a lot more time on those, but I don’t think that I’ll ever forget those.” She flashed him a predatory smile.

  Kort tried to twist away from her hands, but she circled the other way and ended up behind him.

  “We can start on the posterior if you want. Your trapezius is so stiff.”

  She began massaging his neck with well-practiced movements of her surprisingly strong hands. He felt himself beginning to relax, until she leaned in and kissed him gently on the neck.

  “That’s enough of that,” he said.

  “I’m sorry. I was trying to help you relax.”

  “Let’s get back to studying.”

  “You’re the boss. Let’s move down to my favorite, the gluteus maximus.”

  His whole body tensed when she clutched his buttocks. He tried to pull away, but her talons were sunk in too deep.

  “We’re done with muscles,” he said, pulling her hands off of him, and hurrying over to the corner. He picked up his shirt and slipped it over his head.

 
“That’s alright. I’m finished with the muscles and ready to move onto the organs.”

  “You’re not putting your hands anywhere near my organ.”

  “Don’t be silly. It’s your turn to do some work.”

  “You’re going to keep your hands to yourself?” he asked.

  “You have nothing to worry about. You can even tie me up if it would make you feel better.”

  She laid down on her back on the daybed, and lazily stretched her arms over her head.

  Kort looked out the small window and could see the sun starting to set.

  “It’s going to get dark in here soon.”

  “Is that a promise?” she asked.

  She laughed when she saw the look on his face.

  “I’m just kidding. I thought you had a sense of humor.”

  “I do. People always think I’m hilarious.”

  She got up and walked over to the desk. She pulled out several candles from a drawer.

  “Don’t you have one of those light ball things?” he asked.

  “Of course, but these smell better.” She slowly sniffed the candles. “This way I can link everything that I learn tonight with the scent of these candles.”

  “That doesn’t make any sense.”

  “It wouldn’t to you.”

  She waved one of the candles under his nose. He caught a whiff of honey, before she stood it up on the desk. She lit it with her magic before spreading the others candles around the room.

  “Better?” she asked.

  “I guess.”

  She picked up a long, white feather from the desk before laying back down on the daybed.

  “Now why don’t you show me where my pancreas is?”

  He walked over beside the daybed and she handed him the feather. She slowly began lifting up the bottom of her shirt. He saw the shallow bowl of her belly button appear. Then his eyes began tracing the curve of her ribs, counting them as her shirt continued to rise, until the swells of the bottom of her breasts became visible.

  She stopped lifting her shirt.

  “Are you going to trace it with the feather or should I teach you about some anatomy that they haven’t covered in class. Careful, I’m ticklish.” She bit her lower lip and gently arched her back.

  ***

  Kort clutched the package behind his back as he hurried over to visit Ravyn. The study session with Satine had lasted much longer than he’d expected. The sun had been down for hours before he’d finally escaped from her room. He’d wanted to give Ravyn her gift on her birthday, but didn’t dare knock on her door late at night in case she’d been sleeping. He’d crawled out of his bed early this morning, and forgone his usual washing routine, in order to catch Ravyn before she headed out for the day.