Someone jostled John from behind as he tried to make his way down the stone steps. Eli had gone early to grab their little group seats above the south entrance where Damien planned to enter. Everyone else should be there already, but he’d stopped to buy a bag of glazed walnuts on his way and was running behind. The sun shone bright in a clear sky. All in all it was a lovely day to make some easy money.

The excited chatter of students and sorcerers entering the stands filled the air. The main topic of conversation seemed to be how fast Sig would crush Damien. John grinned. Man, were they in for a surprise. None more so than the kids who’d been taking bets for the last day. When he’d bet his and Damien’s money he’d gotten five-to-one odds and the sixteen-year-old oddsmaker had almost hugged him when he proved willing to take the other side of the wager. He’d be considerably less thrilled in a few minutes.

John dodged a chubby third year and finally reached Eli and the others. They’d gotten seats directly above the doors, perfect. Amanda smiled as he approached and patted the leather seat between her and Eli. John sighed. Maybe not perfect. The moment he sat, a tiny hand shot in and snatched some walnuts.

“If you weren’t so cheap you could get your own.”

She popped the sweet treat into her mouth and ignored him. He shook his head and ate a few before she stole them all.

“Did you make a bet?” Eli asked.

He swallowed his snack. “Yeah, a hundred royals on Damien, got five to one against. I’m going to clean up.”

Eli stared at him. “You bet on Damien?”

John smiled at his incredulous tone. He clearly had no idea what Damien could do with a sword. “You didn’t?”

“I put five on Sig.”

John turned to Amanda. “What about you?”

“Ten on Sig.” She snitched another walnut.

“What about all your cheering for Damien and telling him how great it was that he beat up those two thugs?”

She shrugged. “Cheering’s one thing, money’s another. I’ll cheer my lungs out for Damien, but Sig’s huge.”

John looked across Eli at Jaden. “How about you?”

Jaden shook his head. “I don’t have any spare money for gambling.”

John grinned. That was a nice way of saying he didn’t want to bet against Damien. Jaden would be feeling better about that decision soon.

“Damien St. Cloud!” The announcer’s voice, amplified with soul force, echoed through the arena. Time for the fun to begin.

When Damien and Ann entered John and the first years cheered. Damien looked bored and Ann looked stunning. Where did she get those outfits? It was going to be hard to concentrate on the match and not stare at her. Damien spoke with Master Sagan for a moment.

“Sigurd Iceborn!” the announcer said.

Sig entered from the far doors, his chest bare, and a pretty, pale master a step behind. No surprise Sig would choose Mistress Ingrid as his second, she was the only master from the northern duchy at the tower. She was cute, but nowhere near as beautiful as Ann. Judging by the little frown on her otherwise expressionless face she’d rather be just about anywhere else. But when the son of your duke asks you to be his second you couldn’t exactly refuse.

Beside him Amanda shook her head. “Look at the size of him. I’m afraid you threw your money away.”

“Want to make a side bet?” John asked.

She narrowed her eyes at him. “What kind of bet?”

“If Damien wins you don’t hug me anymore and if Sig wins I’ll give you a kiss.”

She blushed then frowned. “You really think he’s going to win?”

“I know he will.”