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Alderic shares a chuckle with the guards. It crawls down my back like ice.
And there it is. Their last attempt to make sure I do not make it through this final trial.
Murmurs and looks of disbelief fill the crowd of competitors around me as I prepare myself for what I will need to do.
I no longer have the healing stone Asra gave me, so I will need to be smart. Alderic said this trial was filled with obstacles, and although I can only see the entrance to a maze, I’m sure there are places I can use to evade and escape. I work best on my feet and should be able to set about a plan and fend off when needed.
I can make it through this; I just need to have my wits about me and not let the guards get the better of me.
“No one said there was the possibility of death!” a male competitor shouts out.
Alderic gives him a sharp look with a cruel smile. “When you are a guard, you face all dangers. Death is always around the corner. Especially when it comes to unlawful rebels.” Alderic gives me a pointed look, one that I ignore, before continuing. “One final amendment. You all will be fighting one another for the top three spots once again to meet with the royals. Any recent top three competitors can still be knocked off their spot.”
I catch some of the competitors sizing me up, and I know that I am going to have my work cut out for me today.
Oryn comes up beside me, wearing a frown.
“What about her abilities?” he calls out to Alderic, bringing a look of disappointment to his face.
Oryn ignores it to continue on, pointing to my bracelets. “She will need her powers if she is to compete.”
With a reluctant nod from Amaro, Levon walks over to me with a snarl and grabs my wrists, yanking me forward. I bite my tongue and glare up at him as his hands tighten painfully around my wrists.
Oryn takes a step to move toward me, but I slightly shake my head, and he stops, clenching his hands at his sides.
Levon’s grip tightens further before he releases my wrists with a yank, taking the bracelets with him.
The minute they are gone, I feel it. The warmth. It pulses from my chest, spreading outward before encasing me whole.
“What the?—”
It rushes out of me, the warmth igniting to flames that burn and seek out all those who have shuttered it out.
Blocking out the murmurs and horrified gasps around me, I try to shove it down, focusing on each inhale and exhale as I center myself and calm the wildfire inside me.
Beads of sweat slide down my face as I manage to drag it back beneath the surface. Opening my eyes, I catch the end of my luminescent strings floating out around me, captivating the competitors nearest to me. I pull them back into me, and the competitors shake off their enthrallment. It quickly morphs into a collection of varying glares, all aimed at me.
“When your name is called, you are to enter the maze. Those who did well in the previous trials will get to go first,” Alderic announces.
Oryn bumps my shoulder with his, a happy expression on his face. “Finally, a trial in your favor. We shall get a head start and buy ourselves another chance to find what we’re looking for.”
I give him a small smile as my reply, not having the heart to tell him that I will not be joining him. I have no doubt that the guards will leave me to the end before allowing me to enter the maze.
“Oryn.”
“See you in there.” Oryn dips his head to me before turning and running into the maze. And just as I had assumed, the guard waits to call my name until the very end.
“Seren.” The guard gives me a savage smirk. It is mirrored on the rest of the guards’ faces, including Amaro’s, Levon’s, and Alderic’s.
Their watchful eyes follow me as I move toward the entrance. I keep watch, my gaze following their every move as I head inside, but they don’t move, nor do they try to stop me. Though, I can tell from the look they are giving me that most of my troubles will beinsidethe maze of obstacles.
Once I’m clear of them, I rush forward, moving around the dead ends and through the large stone pathways, when a scream sounds out, cut off a moment later by complete silence.
The rules said not to help another competitor. I’ve never been one to follow rules. At least not blindly. But there are also a lot of people counting on me succeeding here today.
Damn it.My foolish conscience wins out, and I get moving in the direction of the screams, hoping to find someone alive. But the maze is a twisting nightmare of dead ends and tight paths that stop me from getting anywhere near it.
A rumble brings me to a stop, and I watch as the wall beside me detaches and rolls to the side, cutting off my path. I turn, ready to go back and search for another way, when two competitors block my exit.
