The test we take during the second trial doesn’t include in-depth content related to the Essentari, so I never spent too much time learning about them.
“I can help you. Make sure you stay safe until your final trial.”
I stare at him for a long time.
“Why? Why would you do that?”
He sets his gaze on the horizon, on the emptiness that lies beyond the raging ocean.
“They were going to kill you, Serafina.” His voice is gravelly, his broad shoulders tense. “And they looked so…happy about it.” His hands flex then tighten into fists. “It just…it didn’t seem right.”
Because it’s not right. Not that he can possibly understand. I bet everyone in the Imperial City knows he’s a Luminarie. I bet they’ve known for as long as he has. But it never mattered. It never put him in any type of danger because those in the Imperial City don’t have to compete to survive.
Theyallget to survive.
“You deserve a chance,” he says when I don’t respond. “A chance to compete in the final trial.” He turns. “Come with me to the Imperial City. I’ll send word to the mayor of Village 28 that the royal family is insisting you stay there until trial day. For your own safety. I’ll make sure you aren’t marked as an evader.”
“Who are you?” I ask because people don’t just go out of their way to help others. At least not where I’m from. It’s how it’s always been, how it willalwaysbe.
“Does it really matter?” He crosses his arms, his tone nonchalant and beyond aggravating.
“Of course, it matters,” I fire back, and I swear I can feel my temple pulse.
A smile twitches his lips, but it doesn’t fully form. “My name is Jax.”
“All right,Jax, why would the royal family have any interest in helping me?”
He hesitates, and his hand ruffles his hair, making it look even messier than it is. “I know the prince. He’ll send word to your mayor. If I ask, he will. He owes me.”
“How could the prince of Velegoria possiblyoweyou?” He must realize how absolutely preposterous that sounds.
“He just does. And then you’ll be back in your village the day of the third trial.”
I could go home. But wait…no, I can’t. I can never go back to Village 28. I can never go home.
Not after what I’ve done.
“What if…what if I did something else?” The words are heavy as they leave my lips, pained and angry all at once. “Something that makes it so I can never go back?”
My mind relives the moment my blade sunk into Brant’s thigh. The way hescreamed.The way hebled.
He cocks his head. “What could you have possibly done that would be so—”
“I killed someone.” The words tumble out of me, ravaging my throat like tiny thorns, making me feel raw and exposed.
But I said it.
My admission of guilt.My confession.
I’m sure Norin has already told the Enforcers. Not only am I an evader, but I’m also a murderer.
And murderers don’t get to compete in the trials. At least,not the ones who are caught.
Jax purses his lips, his intense gaze never leaving mine, and I can already feel the tears that are desperate to slip from the corners of my eyes, as if my vow to never cry has been absolutely obliterated, leaving me with nothing but agonizing despair.
“One of the men who attacked you?” he says, and his jaw feathers.
“Yes.”
