Jewels and Feathers (Race Games 3)

CHAPTERTHIRTY

The McLaren sat waiting for them to climb inside. The race was about to begin, the young dragon chosen to wave the flag climbing to his post, but Muni could only stand outside the door, waiting for the moment that they called for them to start their engines. On the other side of the car, Brin set his newly protected tablet on the top of the car before setting out other items. When Muni glanced over, she did a double take, furrowing her brow at the items.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Making an offering to the tiny witch,” he grumbled. He set a small candle beside the tablet and quickly lit it. Beside it, he sat a few thin bones—perhaps, from a small bird of some sort—in a pile and some sparkly bobbles. Waving the smoke from the candle over the tablet, he mumbled some words in an old language and blew the candle out.

Eirik snorted. “Well, we could use all the luck we can get I suppose.”

The man that came out of the crowd then despite many rushing to exit the track had Muni straightening, not out of fear, but out of respect.

“Your majesty,” she said, bowing her head just barely. After all, King Yophiel wasn’t her King.

“Munin, it’s a pleasure to meet you in the flesh,” he replied, the corner of his eyes crinkling. “Danica has spoken very highly of you.” His eyes glanced sideways at the drone that came in close to witness their exchange, as if warning her, but Muni already knew.

“Likewise. I’ve heard you’re an excellent king.” Muni smiled, knowing only someone with true empathy could capture the heart of someone like Danica Dyers.

“It’s always a pleasure meeting those who rebuke traditions.” He offered his arm in the clasp of warriors and Muni took it without hesitation. “Give them hell, Raven.”

She grinned. “Oh, I plan to.”

“That’s what I like to hear. May luck be with you.”

The wind chose that moment to lift the King’s hair around his face, making him look even more striking than he did usually. There was something about the King’s appearance that both drew people in and deterred them. He was both death and life rolled into a single body, as if he was something to worship and fear. If not for his empathetic personality and general demeanor, it would be a dangerous combination. It had been for his father. Now, the vampires were ruled by someone worthy of such a title.

“Oh,” the King said just before he walked away. “Council Lady Danica mentioned I should tell you to watch for her sponsorship when you most need it.”

Muni nodded and the King continued on his way.

“He’s a vampire?” Eirik asked, staring after him.

“He is,” she confirmed.

Eirik shook his head. “I can’t believe I lived all those years without knowing so many different species were real. Fae? Elves? Vampires? Wolves? Gods? I almost wish I knew in my first life.”

“It did make things easier,” Vidar agreed. “Knowing when to tread carefully and when you could venture out further. Back in my day, we knew to be wary of women walking alone in the woods.”

“But not ravens,” Muni teased with a smile.

He pointed at her with narrow eyes. “Ravens are not inherently evil, not like kelpies.”

“He’s right,” a woman agreed as she walked passed, the kelpie racer. Vidar’s face drained of color, but she did nothing more than wink as she went to her car and climbed inside. Muni knew of her, Mazu Quing, the kelpie who regularly entered the games alone. She never won, never tried to, but she also never died, even if her car didn’t make it through the race. She was interesting enough that Muni itched to find her secrets, but it was the wrong time for such things. Still, Muni knew without a doubt, Mazu wasn’t against them in this race.

“Don’t worry,” Muni reassured Vidar. “She’s not an enemy.”

Brin put away all his items finally and picked up his tablet. “Should we get inside?” He looked around. “It seems we’re the last ones lingering.”

Muni nodded and opened the door, allowing Eirik to climb behind the driver’s seat before climbing inside herself. Vidar and Brin did the same on the other side, everyone settling in and buckling their harnesses first. Then, as one unit, as the team they’d practiced as, they began checking all of their systems.

Vidar’s sword was settled between the front seat and the door panel, tightly wedged between. He’d stored it there before the race, ensuring that it hadn’t been found. It went against the new rules but once the race began, there were hardly rules at all. As long as it wasn’t found before the race started, they were fine. The odds seemed in their favor. He’d had to make sure the sword was properly wedged in. If it were to come loose, it could be dangerous for those inside.

Brin began tapping on his tablet. “Map is loaded and ready,” he said, and for once, his tiny witch didn’t respond.

“All systems are clear,” Eirik added, checking over the computer of the car on his own tablet. From his computer, he was able to troubleshoot any problems, maintain the engine temperature, and keep an eye on the integrity of the car. “The lock is in place on the weapons panel for the first section of the race.”

“Which is called Arizona,” Brin added. “Whatever that means.”

“Racers, start your engines,” the speaker announced, and Muni pressed her fingers to the start button. The McLaren roared to life, the panel coming onboard and going through its patterns. Around them, other cars came to life, some louder than theirs, some so quiet, there was no sound at all. In front of them, the kelpie’s car was so quiet, Muni wouldn’t have been sure it was running if not for the slight shaking of the body. Electric powered, perhaps? Or something else?

Vidar rolled his shoulders. “Are we ready?”

“Ready,” they all agreed as one.

Above them, the young dragon held out the green flag over the track, his eyes alight with fire. He waited one beat, two beats, three, and then with a violent swing of his arm, he began to wave the flag.

As one, the ten cars in line came to life and the race officially began.

Muni’s eyes were on the purple car five places in front of them and the necromancer she knew was inside.