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“What happens should I fail?” I ask him.
Veles’s eyes cut to mine. “Don’tfail. Believe me, neither of us will like the outcome.”
Glancing around, I listen for any sound before slipping back into my cell. As I close it firmly behind me, I think over the last few hours and glance down at the small scar now on my right palm.
Don’tfail…
Veles explained where I was to go to get the wine. It is a room on the east wing of the palace, the complete opposite side to where my cell is. It isn’t impossible to get to, but I will need to be quick.
Starting the first trial tomorrow doesn’t make things any easier, but it might just come in handy. Levon seems like the type to flaunt his achievements for all to see. He must have a favorite among the Caligo competitors.
Maybe I can help him along and make sure a celebration is needed.
A celebration that might require aspecialbottle of wine.
With a small smile on my face, a plan slowly starts to form.
CHAPTER 13
In the dead of night, the air is dragged from my lungs as something hard slams into my right side and then stomach. Pain explodes up and across my chest as a crack sounds out, and I know instantly that my rib is broken.
Deep chuckles sound out as a hard boot hits my thigh, making me grit my teeth against the shooting pain. I yank myself away from the hands attempting to hold me down, and scramble backward to put my back against the cell wall as I glare at the two guards smirking at me.
Using the wall to steady myself, I clutch my side and get to my feet with a wince.
“This beating will not be your last,” says the guard with the scar on his neck.
The new guard beside him, one I have not had the pleasure of meeting yet, throws a tray of slop on the floor in front of my feet, most of it hitting my boots, before chuckling.
I guess neither of us are going to be friends. How unfortunate.
“Eat up,” he says with a smirk. “The first trial begins soon. You wouldn’t want to miss it now, would you?”
With their warning, the two guards back out of my cell with savage smirks, locking the bar door before making their way out, chuckling to themselves.
I wait a couple of minutes after they have gone before testing my injuries. The burning pain slicing across my side and into my chest is painful but manageable. My thigh probably has a bruise the size of the boot that slammed into it, and my stomach still churns with the impact of the fist that hit it, but I have worked with worse before. And with my innate ability to heal a little faster than normal, I will be able to move around without pain quicker than some.
With a wince, I bend down for my tray of food and try to force down the tasteless slop. Their attempt at trying to weaken me through beatings and starvation will not be something that breaks me. Nor will the cuffs that bind my Sidus abilities.
After consuming what I can, I check the bag that one of the guards must have thrown in while I foolishly slept hard and find it still has some of the clothes I packed before coming here, though many of the small keepsakes are missing and most likely destroyed.
It was foolish of me to have even attempted to bring them here.
Glancing around, I quickly get changed, using some of the extra fabric I have left to pad the lining around my chest and stomach.
Throwing my boots back on, I hear the familiar thud of the guard’s arrival. Quickly getting to my feet, I ignore the pain of my injuries and focus on getting through the first trial and making sure everything goes to plan.
Two new guards come around the corner to my cell. Neither seem interested in talking or hurling insults, which suits me fine.
Opening the cell door, they step back and wait for me to walk through.
Bracing myself, I step through the entrance, only to be met with an unexpected hard shove to the ground.
“Know your place, Sidus scum. Don’t try anything stupid in the trials, or you will pay for it dearly.”
Fisting my hands on the ground, I push down the urge to slam one of them into the cocky guard’s face, and push myself up with a wince.
Looking ahead, I ignore their mumbling threats but stay on alert for any more sneak attacks. I can still fight with the injuries I have, but it’s best not to push it.
