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Oryn follows my line of sight and dips his head closer to me. “That’s Alderic. He is a powerful Caligo lord not only because of his wealth and influence but also because he has the backing of the lieutenant and guards. I would stay away from him if I were you,” he warns.
But it’s not needed. The way this man makes my skin crawl anytime he is near is warning enough. I do not trust him or his malicious smile. Staying away from him will not be a hardship, especially if I have my way.
“Today marks the first day of the guard’s competition,” Alderic announces with a smile.
Cheering sounds out, with the competitors and guards joining in. An overenthusiastic roar blares out, followed by laughter and chuckling.
“Yes, yes. It is all very exciting,” Alderic says.
I squint, trying to hold back the twitch of annoyance wanting to be set free at their fawning.
“You will be paired off against chosen competitors suited to best showcase your skills,” Alderic continues, quieting the crowd down. “All pairs were individually handpicked by the guards, so make sure you all show us your best.”
I could bet that the competitor they handpicked for me is no doubt meant to maim and kill rather than showcase any type of skill.
“Those who win their match will face off against another winner and so on until the final winner is announced. Should you be knocked out of the round quickly, don’t be too discouraged, as you will all have another chance to redeem yourselves in the next trial.” Alderic claps his hands together and a Caligo guard with a bald head and hard expression stands up beside him to start calling out pairs.
The lieutenant isn’t here, which is a small mercy, but Levon is. I spot him eyeing a tall, bulky man with short brown hair.
“That is Haddon. Levon has personally chosen him to be here,” Oryn says.
I share a look with him before glancing back at Haddon, this trial’s first winner, no doubt.
“Oryn with Koa. Peyton with Triston. Seren with Ward.” The guard continues with more names, but Oryn’s eyes widen as a towering, stocky man with short black hair and a vicious smile walks over to us, setting his sights directly on me.
“I don’t think they have chosen your partner based on a suited skill set,” Nevan mumbles next to me.
“I wasn’t expecting them to,” I reply.
Oryn frowns as Ward moves closer, the glint of excitement in his eyes looking more deranged the closer he gets.
“Maybe we can talk to them and?—”
“Sit down and have a quiet conversation with some tea and biscuits?” I turn to Oryn. “I knew coming here would mean I would have to fight my way at every step.”
“You shouldn’t be treated unfairly just because of what you are,” he grits out, giving Ward a murderous expression.
“I’m used to it,” I tell him.
Oryn turns to me, his anger quickly deflating as his expression grows sad. “You shouldn’t have to be.”
His words warm something inside my chest, giving me hope for a future where our kingdom is no longer divided. That is, until reality comes crashing down as Ward pushes him aside and steps in front of me.
“I’m going to thoroughly enjoy breaking every part of you,” he says with an ugly smile.
I don’t get the chance to reply as Ward attacks before we are given the go ahead, slamming a fist into the exact spot of my broken ribs. Pain blossoms inside my chest, making the previous broken rib feel like a bruise in comparison, and each intake of air burns as I try to catch my breath.
Alderic quickly announces to begin, covering Ward’s sneak attack.
Ward steps back, but the callous smile growing on his face makes me think he knew exactly where to aim to injure me further. The look he shares with one of the other guards seconds later only confirms it.
Spitting out the blood from what is most likely a punctured lung, I ignore the tight, stabbing pain spreading across my chest and focus on the ruthless beast of a man in front of me.
A girl with dark hair in a blunt cut and sharp features turns around after I spit the blood out and scrunches her nose in disgust rather than showing any type of sympathy.
“She is wild and savage. She does not belong here,” she hisses.
Tracking Ward’s movements, I block his next attack, duck his next punch, and use my elbow to aim straight at his throat.
