Chapter 10
Two days pass, and Ellie can barely sit through class.
The tournament ball is tonight. She keeps checking the time, keeps imagining the venue, keeps replaying her win and the promise Sonny made.
She has not seen him since the end of her last match. He disappeared to train, like he always does. She ponders what he even does while he is training.
When she gets home, the apartment is quiet. Sonny is in the corner on the floor, asleep the way he usually sleeps when he is here. His posture is stiff even at rest, like his body does not know how to relax. Ellie exhales and forces herself to be patient; she lets him rest. She drops her bag, does homework, and gets ready in silence.
As the hour creeps closer, Sonny does not move, he’s still asleep. With about an hour left before they need to leave, Ellie loses it. She walks over and raises her hand to smack his shoulder, not hard, just enough to wake him. Instinctively, Sonny grabs her wrist and pins her down in a blur. His eyes open wide, sharp and alert, like he is already in a fight.
Ellie freezes, breath caught. The moment he realizes it is her, his grip disappears. He backs away fast, hands up, embarrassed, and disappointed with himself.
"Ellie. I am sorry," he says, voice tight. "That is… reflex." With the Omegas, it was routine to have your sleep interrupted via attack from another Omega member.
Ellie sits up, heart pounding. "You just slammed me into the floor."
"I know." Sonny looks genuinely shaken. "That’s one reason why I do not sleep here often. I get woken up badly sometimes."
Ellie rubs her wrist and glares. "You have one hour. Shower. Suit. And you are not allowed to fall asleep again."
Sonny acknowledges her command. "Understood."
Ellie takes a breath and lowers her voice. "I really want tonight to be fun. This is important to me. We are in the final four in two days. We are going to intercollegiate. I want one night to celebrate those achievements."
Sonny studies her, then gives a small nod. "I can do that." He disappears into the bathroom. Water runs. Ellie slips into her dress and finishes her makeup, hands moving quickly because her nerves keep rising. When Sonny steps out, he looks completely different. The suit fits him cleanly. His hair is neat. He looks dapper, almost unreal compared to the disconnected and disheveled version the campus whispers about.
Ellie stares for a beat. "Sheesh."
Sonny looks her over. "You look beautiful."
Ellie’s cheeks warm. "And you are… actually handsome when you try."
She catches herself, then clears her throat. "Remember what I said. I want a great night."
Sonny responds. "I heard you. We’ll have a good time."
They walk to the shuttle pickup. As they wait, Sonny glances at her. "Do you want help with strategy for your next opponent?" he asks.
Ellie shakes her head. "No. I want to do it myself. If I am going to grow, I can’t rely on you every time."
Sonny inclines his head once, accepting it. The shuttle drops them at the venue, and the ball hits Ellie like a wave of light and music.
The ballroom is elegant, crowded with students dressed like royalty. Conversations stop and start as people notice Ellie and Sonny together. Ellie hears the whispers. Some are about her. Most are about him; the strange ether user who misses class, cannot use magic, and still made the final four.
Ellie fights the urge to shrink from the commentary. She looks up at Sonny. He looks calm, unfazed, and he gives her a soft smile.
At the entrance, they check in. Sonny offers his arm. Ellie hesitates, then takes it. They step into the ballroom together. Ellie spots her friends near the dance floor and leans toward Sonny. "Go get us champagne. I’m going over there to chat, so meet me over there."
Sonny nods once and heads to the bar. Reya is near the bar with a glass of champagne already in hand. She turns when she sees Sonny and her eyes widen.
Reya gasps. “Wow. You look very nice. Cleaned up.”
"Thank you. So do you," Sonny replies.
Reya shifts her weight, nervous but trying to be brave. "If the night allows, would you like to dance with me?"
Sonny blinks, then answers honestly. "I’d like that, but I am here with Ellie. I don’t think she’d approve."
Reya smiles faintly. "I assumed as much." She pauses. "What are you and Ellie?"
Sonny has a puzzled look on his face. "I’m not sure I understand the question. What does that mean?"
Reya looks down. "Are you dating? Are you just friends? What is it?"
Sonny thinks for a moment and answers honestly. "Long ago, she showed me the good within the world and that moment changed my entire world view. Because of this I am in her debt."
Reya’s expression tightens, not angry, just wounded. She forces a small laugh. "How does a girl compete with that." She turns and walks away before he can respond.
Sonny returns to Ellie with the champagne. Ellie takes one look at his face and then glances toward where Reya stands. "What was that?" Ellie asks, low.
"A brief conversation," Sonny says.
Ellie narrows her eyes. "Uh huh. Remember, a great night."
They join Ellie’s friends and much to Ellie’s surprise, Sonny actually engages in conversation. He is asking and answering questions. He smiles. He even jokes with the group. Ellie watches him like she is seeing a new person.
Jess squints at him. "Who are you and what did you do with the real Sonny."
Sonny smiles politely. "The champagne is doing its job."
Jess laughs. "So you do have some personality. Here I thought you were just an emotionless human shell."
Someone suggests they dance. The group starts toward the floor.
On the way, Bull crosses their path and grins. "So I guess this was your last resort, Ellie."
Ellie opens her mouth to snap back, but Sonny places a hand lightly on her arm.
Sonny looks at Bull and smiles, small and sharp. "Beating the eighteenth ranked magician twice helps your reputation with women."
Bull chuckles and lifts his hands. "Fair. Enjoy the night."
Ellie stares at Sonny. "Was that you being funny?"
"It was," Sonny says. Ellie shakes her head, half amused, half stunned.
At the dance floor, Ellie hesitates. "I am not a good dancer."
Sonny offers his hand. "Just follow my lead." He moves like he has done this a hundred times. He guides her through turns and dips, smooth and confident. Ellie stumbles once, is recovered by Sonny, then she catches the rhythm. People start to stare as they keep dancing. When the song ends, people clap for the band.
Ellie is flushed and out of breath. Reya watches from the edge of the floor impressed, but envious. Bull watches too, amused.
Jess looks like she is trying to decide if this is real. Ellie pulls Sonny closer and whispers, "Where did you learn that?"
"A job," Sonny says. "I had to learn to blend in at a gala."
Ellie shakes her head. "That is just so ridiculous."
"I agree," Sonny says. After a few more songs of dancing, conversation, and drinking, Sonny leans toward Ellie. "Do you want to step out for a minute?”
Ellie nods. "Sure."
He leads her outside and guides her along a quiet path near the venue.
It ends at a small, hidden cliff overlooking the town and the AM campus in the distance. The view opens wide and bright beneath them. Ellie steps to the edge, smiling.
"This is beautiful. How do you even find this?"
"I train nearby sometimes," Sonny says. "It is hard to reach, making it quiet and desolate. That makes it useful."
Ellie turns to him. "You are different tonight. You are actually acting like a new person."
Sonny looks out at the lights. "I promised you a good night. I’m trying to deliver."
Ellie studies him. "So the smiles are fake?"
Sonny answers carefully. "Some. Some are trained, social behavior. But not all." He looks at her. "You holding my arm. Dancing with you. Seeing you get mad about Reya. All of those are genuine."
Ellie’s face warms. "I was not mad."
Sonny jabs back. "You were a little mad." Ellie tries to glare but it fails and ends up letting out a chuckle instead.
Sonny’s voice drops, sincere. "I am happy I have friends. It is because of you."
Ellie steps forward and hugs him tight. Sonny stiffens for a second, then relaxes into it. "Thank you," Ellie says into his shoulder.
"Tonight has surpassed my expectations." She pulls back, eyes on his. The moment hangs, quiet and warm.
Ellie leans in as if to initiate a kiss. Suddenly Sonny’s hand shoots up. A kunai stops inches from Ellie’s head, caught in Sonny’s palm. Blood beads and runs down his fingers. Ellie freezes, eyes locking on the blade. The moment is gone and the mood has shifted to serious.
