My heart hammers. ‘I-I will pay that back.’
‘Khamilla,’ he nearly growls, and I step back. He has never brokenformality like this. ‘We both know you won’t. Besides, do you understand what this will do, my own trifecta defying me in such a mortifying manner?’ He turns on Katayoun, his glare lashing her until she flinches. ‘And you.The girl who could not even pass the Easkaria suddenly finds herself in a Marka?’ He prods her forehead. ‘Has the Azadnian spun black magick on you?’
‘Enough.’ I yank Katayoun behind me, shielding her from his glare. ‘Today, there are no trifectas. Only the order of a squadron. You will not speak to my underling like so.’
With a curse, he backs away, but my heart twists in something close to remorse. No matter what I think of Sajamistan, my overseer has always been a kind, forthcoming teacher. The only kindness afforded in this city.
As I turn my back, a hand wrenches me forward.
It is not Yabghu’s fingers gripping my tunic. Cemil’s thunderous gaze pins me in place. ‘Khamilla,’ he hisses.
‘Peace unto you, Fayez’s dog,’ I greet him.
He tightens his fingers and I cough from the fabric creasing around my neck. ‘Are you one for insults before a battle?’
‘Not an insult when I only speak to what I perceive before me.’
‘Ah, so polite,’ he grins sharply. He studies the trembling children and laughs. ‘I told you allies are good, but this is hardly what I meant.’
‘And?’
‘And?You have not an ounce of dignity nor honour: you are unfit to be a Za’skar warrior. You’ve children waddling after you like roosters at an uma’s back.’
That snaps me. I grip his chin and lean close, until he is forced to acknowledge the long-dormant rage simmering in my gaze. ‘If they are roosters,’ I whisper fiercely to him, ‘they aremyroosters. And only I am allowed to insult them, not you.’ I press my palm to his chest until he steps back.
‘If you thought he despised you when he ordered you to crawl, then you will face his true hate now. He will murder you.’
‘I assume that includes you? You love when I crawl.’
‘No mercy,’ Cemil promises, before reproaching Katayoun. ‘And how much did she bribe you?’
‘Glad you can see through Khamilla’s methods so clearly.’ Katayoun’s smile is as sharp as his.
‘More like you’re so transparent,’ he tuts at her. ‘Fools, my comrades.’ He spits at our sandals and goes to rejoin his squadron.
‘I have had worse,’ I call out to his receding back. ‘You can piss on us.’
‘No thank you. At least I preserve my honour. We are still a trifecta,’ he replies without turning back.
‘Ass,’ Katayoun mutters. ‘This is why I prefer Aizere. She is angry but not a fool like the both of you.’
‘You are here,’ I remind her.
‘I guess I am a fool too.’
‘Did he mean that?’ Yasaman cries from behind me. ‘They will murder us?’
‘It’s intimidation. Standard in any battle,’ I attempt to comfort her.But it’s working.
The group of students cling together, eyes wet, uniforms hanging loosely over thin frames. Perhaps I am in over my head, a mad girl indeed. But what choice did this Hells leave me? To scrape at my superior’s feet? To wait years and never climb one rank?
Arezu steps across the flanks of young warriors. ‘I warned you. Her own captain stomped on her in the bazaar. He made her kiss his feet.’
I pause. The rumours have reached even the pazktab schools.
‘Imagine what he will do to us. I’ve seen battles before,’ Arezu continues, blank-faced.
‘What will he do?’ Firat asks.
