Page 81 (1/2)

My eyes snap open when I’m suddenly jolted in the back The breath is knocked out of ut churn I spin, looking all around me, but see only a blur People close in aroundthis way and that

I stop, but the whole world keepsin, and I can’t breathe

A hand grabs my shoulder and I’m knotted with dread I tear away froth "Watch your space!"

I see that it’s Ronald, another clanatand staring

"Whoa, friend," Ronald says, laughing "The duel isn’t until tomorrow"

My palms are sweaty and the fear in my throat is cold

I can’t lose this for her I can’t I can’t lose her just as I’ve finally won her

I squeezeto take a breath, when he pounds on my back I turn and shove hiround The , already et out of here This is a nighthtmare won’t start until that duel to

Chapter 29

Jenna

I grasped William’s upper arm to stop hi the May King crown froround in the process I turned and roup of people in our vicinity

"Go back to dancing He’ll be all right"

But he was already gone, disappearing into the darkness beyond the glowing ring of the bonfire And like a little girl, I chased after hiround behind ain and I assu into the darkness, willing my eyes to adjust quickly

"Wil?"

Silence I couldn’t even hear footsteps Crickets chirped in the distance and coyotes howled, too The only light out here was that of the nearly full roup of people off to the left spoke in hushed voices, laughing occasionally As I roan, followed by a gasp Re that it was Beltane, I realized that people had paired up and peeled off to go and celebrate in a private--and much more enjoyable--way

I sed, i after Willia The unrealized sexual tension that lived in ans