The Dance of the Keepers

Chapter 26 The Uninvited Guest

We weren't given our scores, but both Jasper and Teagan made it into the top five and were interviewed privately. I didn't have a chance to discuss the turn of events in my evaluation with Kyle, until my watch of the King that evening

"So are you totally pissed at me?"
I couldn't help but ask.

I was a little irritated at him actually, and the ibuprofen I had taken hadn't done much to cut the dull throb in my side. Still, he had every right to be upset, seeing as I had knocked him unconscious on national television.

"If you're asking if I'm excited to have so solidly lost a battle to my student in front of not only my arch nemesis but also the entire country, then the answer is a resounding no."

I remained silent. Kyle sighed heavily.

"Despite that, I couldn't be prouder."
He didn't elaborate any further, but I smiled under my mask anyways.

"I still want to know how you knew that move. It clearly wasn't your first time taking down an opponent that way."

I shook my head.

"It was the strangest thing, in the heat of the moment I had this mental image of that choke hold, and somehow it felt like I'd done it before. I didn't take time to think about it, I just reacted on instinct."

"Interesting."
Was the only reply the Keeper made.

****

I glanced at the time on the clock and jumped up from the bar stool in my kitchen. While I wasn't particularly excited about having a group get together to watch the evaluations, I didn't want to miss the action on the screen. I flung open my door and came face to face with a surprised Ranen, hand raised as though to knock.

"Oh, well, hello."
He stammered out, recovering before me.

He was dressed casually in jeans and loose fitting black t-shirt, making him seem more normal than I would have liked.

"Hi."
I muttered unenthusiastically, wondering how my timing could have possibly been worse.

"What can I do for you, your highness?"
I asked stiffly.

Ranen crossed his arms, his biceps flexing as he did.

"I think we need to talk."

"And I think I need to be next door."
I replied, trying to push past him.

He blocked me and cocked an eyebrow.

"You've turned down both my offers to take a shot at me with a sword. So, what gives?"

"We're not doing this. We're not talking."
I snapped.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, my friend is having a get together in her suite for us to watch the evaluations and I don't have any intention on missing it for your sake."

Ranen stepped aside and I stalked down the hallway, noting Ilian and a masked guard standing near the elevator.

"A party you say? Well, then I'm sure no one will mind if I crash in and join you all. I'm rather interested in seeing your results."

"You're not invited."
I growled, knocking on Vienna's door.

"Well obviously, that would kind of defeat the point of crashing the party."

Vienna swung her door open, a smile gracing her lips. She froze at the sight of the Prince and seemed momentarily at a loss for words.

"Good evening, your highness."
She finally stuttered out.