Before Beasts, There Was Fire--Book 2

Cheap Birthday Tournament

Kai remembered the names and faces of their old 'friends' out of trained habit, not out of interest. While Tyson could go around making friends with every person he battled, Kai did not. It was like pulling teeth to get him to even admit he had any friends, especially to himself.

Nevertheless, he did experience some level of satisfaction at seeing old faces. The European class team, the Majestics, all of which were filthy rich, had shared the brunt of the expenses in this endeavor of Tyson's and Hilary's. It didn't take a genius to see why once Kai got a look at the lines of people outside the stadium as they walked through the familiar side door to the locker rooms, before which they had met said old faces.

"Can you believe it? People will pay out the nose to get a one way ticket to a battle with the champions," said Enrique, flicking the tip of his nose with a thumb and giving his most charming Italian smile. "My Dad's going to have kittens when he sees how much I earn off of this."

"It's good to see you guys," said the questionably flamboyant French Oliver—seriously, come on, the guy's bitbeast is a unicorn. "Enrique's taking my share. I just want to see your faces when I beat each and every one of you."

"Where's Hillary?" asked Tyson.

"Up at the front checking everyone in. We've had to take a few volunteers to take tickets, but she's filling in the tournament sheet as we speak. She has something up her sleeve, because she won't let anyone see it."

Tyson clicked his tongue against his teeth. "That's my girl. Have you guys seen how many teams made it?"

Just about then, Johnny, Enrique, and Oliver noticed Ayah half hidden behind Max and Ray.

"Who's that?" asked Enrique, the smolder already turning on.

"Only participating bladers allowed," Oliver almost whined. "Come on, guys, we agreed on this."

"You can make an exception for my new little sister, can't you? She's afraid of crowds." And to Kai's and apparently Ray's displeasure, he tugged out Ayah from her hiding spot. Hillary had managed to persuade the girl out of her stolen boy clothes and into the little skirt and blouse, though Tyson had whined Hillary down into letting Ayah keep his hat. Kai wouldn't have known why she had stolen Tyson's clothes in the first place if Hillary hadn't come and told them off for making Ayah feel like she had to hide her appearance in order to be treated normally.

Watching the European's teams reactions, he didn't blame Ayah at all. For the first time he regretted stealing and throwing away her old, gray hoodie.

All of the Majestic's eyes zoomed in on her, even the stoic Robert Enrique's smolder turned to full power, Oliver wilted into a happy daze (perhaps he wasn't gay), Johnny's jaw dropped as though hit be an anvil, and Robert's folded arms dropped.

Besides Kai, Ray groaned.

"My lord," breathed Robert.

"You're beautiful!" cried Oliver. "You've got to let me paint your portrait sometime, please!"

"Oh, back off guys, there's no way this girl could be Tyson's sister, I mean...come on," said Johnny.

Ray and Max covertly tugged the clearly uncomfortable Ayah from Tyson's grasp and back behind them. Tyson looked as though to protest, then thought better of it as he met the flabbergasted Majestics.

"Like I said, she's terrified of crowds. We can make an exception, right? I mean, it is my birthday."

"Ah yes, your get out of jail free card," grumbled Robert. "Fine, but find something useful for her to do like cleaning the lockers afterwards. It's part of our contract to not leave anything behind."