The hours blurred together, slipping past faster than Roman could keep track of. Before he knew it, the Avatar team was lining up at the tunnel, the cold air from the rink spilling toward them in sharp, icy breaths.
One by one, they stepped onto the ice, and Roman was the last. He moved forward, just about to cross through the doors, when a firm hand clamped onto his arm, jerking him back hard enough to almost throw him off balance.
He turned sharply. It was Jim. Roman's brows drew together, irritation flashing in his eyes.
"Remember," Jim said, his voice low but pointed. "One mistake, and you're off." He paused, his gaze shifting past Roman's shoulder. "And that would make a lot of people very happy."
Roman followed the direction of his gaze.
Across the arena, behind the glass, Magnus stood watching, still and composed. Vance stood just behind him, his posture relaxed, his attention fixed on the ice like he was waiting for something to unfold.
