The Watching Wood by Erika McGann

and no-one without Hunter training could glamour a
wood nymph
.’
    â€˜Well, she did. So suck it up, loser.’
    â€˜Jenny.’ Rachel heard the warning in Grace’s voice and followed her gaze to Victoria’s hands, which hung by her side, crackling with some sort of fierce energy.
    â€˜I think it’s time the newbies were taught a lesson.’ The crackling energy was now climbing up Victoria’s arms.
    â€˜Bring it on, sweetie,’ Jenny said, releasing her grip on Rachel, ‘but there ain’t nothing you can teach me.’
    â€˜SILENCE.’
    The buzz of the arena muted instantly, and everyone turned to face Lady Hecate, who stood high on the bleachers, with the handsome privateer behind her.
    â€˜The victor of today’s Trial has been summoned by the Hunters.’ There was a hushed gasp throughout the crowd. ‘St John’s of Dunbridge, you will relinquish your competitor for the remainder of the day.’
    The hordes of students separated silently, making a path from Rachel to the bleachers. She shook her head.
    â€˜Grace,’ she whispered, ‘do you think it’s safe?’
    â€˜I don’t know.’
    In the immediate crowd she saw a shock of strawberry blond hair and a very wide smile. Boy-Adie was waving his arms in encouragement. ‘Go!’ he said, grinning.
    â€˜What’s going to happen to her? Will she be okay?’ Adie asked.
    Boy-Adie’s lanky frame shook with barely contained excitement.
    â€˜She’ll get to see the Hunters’ Mansion. It’s a great honour!’
    Adie was still eyeing her with worry, but Rachel’s mind was set at ease. Her echoing footsteps were the only sound as she waved at her friends and made her way through the crowd and up onto the bleachers.
    â€˜This is Aruj of Morgane,’ Lady Hecate said, her expression showing no pleasure in making the introduction.
    â€˜You have a gift, Rachel of Dunbridge.’ Aruj’s voice was low and deep, like a sound from the depths of the ocean.
    Rachel couldn’t reply. The pale eyes set in dark skin were striking, almost hypnotic. With considerable effort she finally managed a smile, and followed close behind him as he led her out of the arena.
    * * *
    â€˜I hope she’ll be alright.’ Grace watched her friend leave with the stranger in the weird outfit, and tried not to worry.
    â€˜I’m sure it’s fine,’ Una said lightly. ‘They probably won’ttorture her for information or anything.’
    â€˜
Una
.’
    â€˜I said they probably
won’t
.’
    Grace sighed.
    â€˜Jenny’s still itching for a fight, I can tell.’
    â€˜Yeah, she’s got that snorting bull look she gets sometimes. Never seen her actually fight anyone, though. I mean, like, with fists. Do you think she would?’
    â€˜Sometimes I wonder.’
    â€˜Hey,’ Una said, nudging her in the ribs, ‘take a look at Adie and Boy-Adie. I don’t know who’s gone redder.’
    Grace grinned as Adie chatted with an embarrassed smile, and the tall boy jammed his hands self-consciously into his pockets. Una nudged her again.
    â€˜Delilah’s gone to the dark side, though. Look, she’s practically hiding under those bleachers.’
    â€˜Don’t say it like that, Una.’
    â€˜I don’t mean it in a bad way. I just mean she’s doing that thing again, where she goes all quiet. Like she was before …’
    Adie came skipping towards them, saving them the unpleasantness of having to remember Delilah’s mother.
    â€˜Hey, you guys. Want to head inside for dinner?’
    â€˜So,’ said Una, ‘did you finally get his name?’
    â€˜His name’s Gaukroger,’ Adie replied.
    â€˜Oh, I’m so sorry.’
    â€˜I like Gaukroger.’
    â€˜I like him too, but that’s a terrible name.’
    * * *
    Rachel tried to keep her eyes open as the barren land sped