"We've already passed the trial," Blake supplied.
"Then why are you participating in this training?" Raider asked.
He shrugged. "We're waiting for our apprenticeship to be announced. Until then, the Overlord insists we continue improving our skills."
"Also, this is a rare chance," Rheya said. "Wren and Maida are here to prepare you for theuhva na,but they’re also here to look everyone over and decide who they want as an apprentice. An apprenticeship with either one would be considered a coup."
Devon strode past them with his head held high; his posture almost brittle. There was a raucous laugh from Aeron and the other initiates. Joule looked unhappy as they made a gesture at Devon's back.
"What's that about?" Kira asked.
"I'm not sure," Rheya supplied. "If I had to guess, it’s because Dethos is a small House who is under Danai's umbrella. As a child of Danai, Devon is likely being targeted for his affiliation with them."
Raider whistled as they watched the rest.
Devon's transformation to primus probably didn't help matters. The rest were jealous and afraid and had latched onto this new information as an excuse.
"They're fools," Blake said, heat in his tone. "Devon would already be gone if the Overlord considered him a threat. Their actions only reflect on them at this point."
"What happens if he decides to leave?" Blue asked.
"He won't," Rheya assured them. "Finding another House to join for training would be difficult at this stage."
Aeron, Kira was coming to realize, was much different than she'd first assumed. That smiling face he’d presented in the beginning was a façade—a clever one, meant to lure the unwary into trusting him. Now, she saw his true colors. Kira was beginning to see he shared many qualities of a bully. He bore watching.
For the moment, she put Devon and Aeron out of her mind as she waved at Joule, catching his attention. As concerning as the other two were, they weren’t her problem.
Joule's face lit up, and he started toward her.
"Look at the orphan, running to the mad heir’s side. I wonder what that says about you?" Aeron said in a voice he no doubt intended to be heard only by Joule.
Unfortunately for him, Jin didn't miss much—and what he knew, Kira knew as well.
A wall slammed over Joule's expression as his pace slowed, his back ramrod straight. His hands clenched at his side. He kept walking toward Kira, his jaw tight, unable to hide the anger shaking him.
His struggle to ignore the other boy was almost painful to watch.
Blake murmured something to Rheya, and she nodded, not looking any happier.
"Remember what we discussed before," Kira called. "I care little for the opinion of blowhards who haven't even earned the blade they wield. Nor should you."
There was an infinitesimal loosening around Joule's shoulders, and his stride smoothed out, so he was walking instead of stomping.
"Real subtle, Kira." Jin's voice echoed in her comms. "Didn't you tell the boy not to pick fights? Then why are you always starting them?"
Because she had a habit of winning her fights.
The cold, calculating look in Aeron's eyes caught Kira's attention. The emotions seemed out of place in the younger boy.
He blinked, the coldness vanishing, but not before Kira's suspicions were aroused. Aeron's gaze dropped to Joule. This time, he didn't bother trying to hide what he said. "I'd be more careful picking your friends, orphan. You never know when you might take a knife in the back that was meant for them."
Kira stepped forward, unable to keep herself from reacting to the not so subtle threat.
"Kira," Raider rumbled. "Not worth it."
Kira wavered. It went against her instincts to leave a dangerous foe standing. The only thing keeping her from acting was the thought that if she intervened now, Joule would be the one to bear the brunt of the consequences. She needed to be smart.
For now, that meant letting the younger man think he'd won.
