"Nervous about what?" I asked. "You did great."
"It was easier when I spotted you," he said. "Hey, something's different about you." He grinned down at my na
me tag.
I smiled. "Yeah, I decided to join the newbie tournament. You know, after I was completely annihilated time and time again last night, I figured I can handle losing."
"You won't lose. I know you." Owen reached out his hand. "And speaking of that, there are a bunch of people I want you to meet. Scottie, Alison, this is Quinn."
"I totally recognize you from your avatar. Bold move. I thought only the Light Slayer was brave enough to show his own face," Scottie said.
"He's an Orcan and Alison is a Nocturne," Owen explained.
Alison shook my hand. "I've seen lots of newbies pick a human and not make it past the first week. I'm impressed."
"No wonder the Light Slayer lets you hang around," Scottie said. He wagged his eyebrows at Owen and got a slap on the shoulder from Alison.
"They are part of the Light Clan," Owen said. "We play as a team, but this tournament is individual skill alone. I'm a little worried Alison might take me apart in the spells duel."
Scottie beamed with pride. "She's a killer."
"Isn't that hard?" I asked. "Playing to defeat your own team members?"
"Not at all," Owen said. "The clan would be weak if we all tried to help each other. Winning individual events strengthens the avatars, and that strengthens the clan."
"Spoken like a true clan leader," Anya said as she came closer. She slipped an arm through Owen's. "That's also why Owen is here mostly to give pep talks and sign autographs. And, apparently, help you cheer up, too."
"Cheer up?" Alison asked.
"Yes. Didn't you know? Quinn is Sienna's baby sister. Owen's taking care of her for a while," Anya said. "By the way, Owen, you and I have that panel discussion."
Before Owen could say anything else, he was led away.
Alison put a hand on my arm and said, "I'm so sorry to hear about your sister. She wasn't right for Owen, but that doesn't mean any us of wished her ill."
I shrugged off her hand and sympathy. It felt exactly as if Anya had cast a Frostbite Spell over me. The rest of the Light Clan gathered to discuss lunch, and it was clear that Anya had spoken to them all.
"Dear girl, want to join Tony and I at the spa after lunch? Owen's got a full schedule and we don't want you to feel lonely," Milan said. He brushed my hair back over my shoulder.
"Lonely? No, I'm fine. In fact, I have to go get ready for my tournament," I replied.
"You're going to play? That's great. Owen tried forever to get your sister interested. I mean, good luck," Artemis bit her lip at the mention of my sister.
"It’s okay," I said, facing the group. "My sister and Owen were over before the rest of it. You can stop treating me like the sad little sister. Owen doesn't. He and I have known each other for years, and our friendship had very little to do with Sienna. I don't know what Anya told you, but I'm not here to be taken care of or pitied, and that's not why Owen invited me."
They all nodded, but I could tell by their looks I had more to prove than my playing ability.
I left the ballroom as fast as I could and was glad the desk clerk Dave had given me a map. I found the conference room just in time for check-in. Dave had saved me a seat.
"Quinn, over here," he said. "Sorry, can I call you Quinn?"
"Do you really think I'm going to make you call me Ms. Thomas?" I asked. I slipped in to the chair next to him.
The conference table was set up with two rows of six computers, one down each side of the table. There were headphones, controllers, and keyboards for each of us. The rules were posted on all four walls and Dark Flag was paused until the overseer started the game. We each had the same quest, and points were awarded for speed, dexterity, creativity, and skill.
"What's your avatar name?" Dave asked. "I'm Davon the Orcan. Though you can't really tell yet 'cause, like I said, I'm still evolving."
"I'm human," I said. "My avatar's called Arrowa because the first weapon I earned was a quiver of poison tips."