Red Dawn by J.J. Bonds Read Free Book Online Page B

ask. Left, right, left, left, left, right. I’m utterly at a loss. It’s impossible to tell if we’re making good time, but I’m pretty sure we are.
    “We?” Nik asks, glancing over his shoulder at me. He’s been so focused he’s barely noticed my presence. It’s quite obvious I’m just along for the ride.
    “Just because I’m bringing up the rear doesn’t mean I’m not an equally important part of this team!” I challenge him.
    “Of course you are.” He grins and tugs me around yet another corner. Why people enjoy these mazes is absolutely beyond me. Seriously, what is the point? “Actually, now that I’m thinking about it, you might be the most important member of this team.”
    “Oh? How do you figure?” It’s obviously not due to my stellar sense of direction. He’s probably mocking me. Again.
    “Proper motivation. You don’t kiss losers, remember?” Nik turns around suddenly, stopping only when our mouths are inches apart. My breath comes out in small puffs, mingling with Nik’s in the cool night air. He kisses me softly on the lips. “For good luck.”
    “Tease.”
    “Don’t worry, Katia. There’s more where that came from, but first…”
    “Yeah, yeah, yeah,” I return, sighing loudly. “Maze first.”
    We continue through the maze at a breakneck pace. Right, left, right, right, wrong turn, left. Before I know it, we emerge on the far side of the maze. I can hardly believe my ears when Professor Lynch gives us our time: seventeen minutes and forty-one seconds. I wrack my brain and recall that it took Shaye and me nearly an hour last year, and that doesn’t even count the time we spent fighting with Jade at the halfway point.
    “Congratulations, Nikolai!” Professor Lynch says, clapping Nik on the back. “That’s a new record for you! I have a feeling you’ve just put another victory under your belt.”
    “Here’s hoping,” I respond, studying Nik’s face. He looks pretty pleased with himself and why not? He clearly enjoys the challenge. At least one of us does. This whole maze thing doesn’t do much for me. I’d much rather be punching something, but to each his own.
    “I knew you were good luck.” He picks me up and spins me around victoriously. It’s totally out of character. For both of us. I don’t really think of myself as the kind of girl who guys spin around. I’m more like the kind of girl who dropkicks those guys. But maybe I could get used to this. For Nik.
    We hang around for a while, watching as other groups exit the maze and collect their times. I think Nik is secretly waiting to confirm that no one has beaten his time, although he’ll never admit it. I’m getting restless waiting around. And a little hungry. It’s hard to ignore the sweet smell of human children as they bounce out of the maze pushing and shoving. Not that I’d ever harm one, but still, I have to admit they smell yummy. I jerk my eyes away from the maze and do my best to tamp down my hunger and redirect my thoughts. I wonder how Shaye’s feeling and hope we can wrap this up soon. I’m anxious to head back to Crossroads so that I can check on her.
    Lost in thought, I don’t pay much attention when Jade and Trey exit the maze. Not until Lynch calls out their time of sixteen minutes twenty seven seconds anyway. I curse quietly under my breath. I can’t freaking believe it! A quick glance at Nik confirms that if I hate losing to them, he hates it more. Damn stagger start. It’s hard to know where you stand until everyone finishes.
    “I can’t believe it,” Nik says, shaking his head in disgust. “We made record time and they completely blew us away.”
    “It looks like we have a new champion this year!” Lynch calls out good naturedly. “And with a record time!”
    “Better luck next time,” Trey taunts as he drapes his arm over Jades shoulder. They both look quite smug. It’s not a good look.
    “Time to go.” I grab Nik’s hand and drag him away before either of us can