I stiffen, Talen doesn’t.
I hate this Weasel. From the first day, I knew. And after what he did to Ezzy—setting her up to die and walking away without a scratch? If anyone in this place deserves to bleed, it’s him.
“Hope you’re ready for your training assignment tomorrow, Bloom?” Strannt asks tone all mock-camaraderie. “Heard we’ve got a weekend trip to your homelands.”
“The Outerlands?” I ask, too quickly to be casual.
“Oh, didn’t they tell you? Guess they’re not big on giving the natives a heads-up.”
Talen’s eyes flick to me, no surprise in them. He already knew, of course. “Piss off, Strannt.” He says.
“Just making conversation.” Strannt laughs, but it’s forced now.
“Hmm. Is that what you call it when you insult my partner to her face?”
Partner. The word hooks in my chest. I know it’s part of the act, part of the lie we’re selling, but hearing it out loud, in front of half the hall, makes my stomach twist.
“Didn’t realise she needed defending.” Strannt barks.
“She doesn’t,” Talen replies, unfolding his arms now. “But Idohave a problem with someone trying to flex their superiority when all they’ve ever done is hide behind their father’s rank.”
Strannt flushes. “I’m not hiding.”
“No?” Talen takes a step forward. “Because I’ve seen you in drills. I’ve seen how you watch others fight. Always standing just outside the ring. Mouth running. Never bleeding.”
“And you’re bleeding for her now? AnOuterlander?”
Talen’s smile doesn’t reach his eyes.“I’d bleed for her any day before I’d speak a single word in your defence.”
Silence, heavy and charged. My throat tightens, but I don’t speak. Talen’s not even looking at me, his whole attention is pinned to Strannt like a weapon.
“You want to prove something, Veirmont?” he throws out, teeth gritted. “We can go right now.”
Talen exhales like he’s bored. “You’re not worth my time…” Then he glances over at me, the corner of his mouth pulls. “But I know a little thorn who could use the practice... ”
“What?” I snap. My stomach drops like a stone.
“You’re serious?” Strannt laughs, but it’s uneasy now.
Talen shrugs. “Unless you’re worried she’ll embarrass you.”
“She won’t.” Strannt bristles.
“Then step up.”
I turn to Talen, voice low and seething. “What thehellare you doing?”
He finally looks at me. “I’m giving you what you want,” he replies. “Permission.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
One weekend. One fucking weekend. That’s all I had left. One more fake date with Talen, grab the journals, see what answers I can get, stay under the radar, and disappear—clean. Quiet. No more blood. I was so damn close.
But one second I’m holding a sketchbook and the next, I’m thrown into a fistfight with half the Citadel watching. Strannt’s weaselly eyes gleaming at me, bloodthirsty, and Talen shirtless, towel on one shoulder, arms crossed—grinning on the sidelines like he’s been waiting for this.But I can’t look at him. Not when Strannt steps forward.
“Try not to cry when you hit the mat,” Strannt sneers.
I don’t answer. Because I don’t know if I can take him. Because I don’tknowthe rules anymore. The Codex says no combat outside of Demonstrations, unless it’s training. I guess Talen thinks this counts as training, but one look at Strannt and I know he sees it too. This isn’t practice.
