Page 37 of The Witch’s Daughter

“But before we can test your magic, I need to know your physical capabilities. Your magical skills might not be enough to save you if you’re trapped behind enemy lines, and except for telekinetics, they won’t carry you out if you’ve fallen.”

This won’t be so bad.

I glanced around again, looking for other wolf-witches. We weren’t the only ones here, but there were so few of us that there was a clear disadvantage, especially if we were testing physical strength.

From the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Jaxon still staring daggers at me.

Some of us have more of an advantage than others.

Focus. I turned my attention back to Vincent.

“We’ll run a basic endurance trial. Sections are roped off and numbered throughout the arena with skills you’ll need to pass before continuing to the next round.” His gaze swept the crowd, passing right over me and landing on someone in the distance.

I didn’t need to be a seer to know who he was looking at. Vincent wasn’t a wolf, but the dominant and challenging stance was clear.

“The criteria will only get harder after this,” Vincent said. “Feel free to leave now if you don’t have what it takes.”

I had to physically restrain myself from rolling my eyes. What was it with macho male pissing contests? A few growls told me that the challenge was issued and accepted.

You don’t have to accept it…

You’re really chatty this morning, I barked at my own wolf. Stay quiet so I can focus.

Are you sure you won’t need me for this?

Oh, she was smug.

I marched over to the first challenge, getting right up front since I was closer to the starting point. From what I could see, we’d be running. I didn’t need wolf strength for that. Better yet, it didn’t seem like a race. The line moved slowly as each individual stepped up to a warlock, who held out an old hand clock, making note of the starting time.

I could do this.

Not that I was a fan of running. I preferred running toward something enjoyable instead of doing it for fun. But Alpha Kera had trained me and my sisters since we were pups, making sure all three of us were fit enough to handle ourselves in case of any challenge.

“Name?” The male warlock wearing the same loose black pants and shirt as Vincent held out a clipboard when I took the next spot in line.

I hesitated, not sure if they had my formal name. “Tisiphone Cerberus,” I said, “But it might be under my nickname, Trish.”

“Cerb… Cerberus.” He tapped the charcoal pencil against the page, looking up. Whatever he saw made him smile. “I’ve got you here. You’re next.”

What is he smiling at? My wolf started growling, which made the warlock take a step back.

Will you please stop being weird?

I sighed as I took my mark. “So…” I asked, trying to make up for my awkwardness. “Is there a time we need to beat?”

The warlock shook his head. “Go.”

“Like… now?” I stuttered.

“Go!”

I ran, not even needing to draw on my wolf strength, and overtook the runner in front of me, crossing the finish line a step before they did. I was barely winded as I jogged over to the second obstacle setup.

Like I said, unfair advantage.

But the witches and warlocks in this new line were still going strong, amped up with the energy of the challenge. I took a second to really look at them. Most would’ve grown up with wolf packs of their own, so they were used to being around shifters. Still, they gave me a wide berth.

I wasn’t sure if it was because I was a wolf-witch or if they could sense my broken magic, but I decided I had too much going on to care about that now.