I hope I’m strong enough to be him.
CHAPTER FIVE
CASSIA
My stomach churns—not from motion sickness, but the oppressive brick of fear and uncertainty pressing on every nerve ending. I reach to adjust my mask under the guise of comfort, but in truth, I’m trying to steady my trembling hands before anyone notices. The synthetic material feels alien against my skin, trapping my breath in humid pockets that smell of my own sweat and anxiety.
Ahead of us, the Training Center looms like something from a nightmare. Its massive, merciless structure displays a sharp silhouette against the pale afternoon sky. The stone walls, fortified with gleaming steel, swallow the weak sunlight rather than reflect it, casting a foreboding shadow over the surrounding area.
This place was not built to welcome. It was built to intimidate.
I follow Elias, lengthening my strides as much as I dare to mimic his. He moves with the easy familiarity of someone returning home, while every step I take feels like a trespass into forbidden territory. Like I may as well scream my true name for everyone to hear.
My shoulders ache from hours of sitting stiffly in the transport, muscles tense and sore. I don’t dare roll them for relief. Everything about my movements must screamordinaryand blend seamlessly with the men around me.
But even before we reach the building’s entrance, I realize I have no idea what ordinary means in this context. Doubt creeps in, cold and insidious.
The air here is warmer than in the city, but I feel cold to my marrow. A shiver threatens to collapse my body as we’re herded into a large open courtyard. I suppress it viciously, snarling at it from within. Enforcers don’t shiver. Enforcers don’t show weakness.
Other vehicles were in line before Elias’ and mine, and more arrived behind us. I count nineteen other recruits walking ahead of me. Elias has already stopped near the entrance, speaking with someone whose posture suggests authority. I can tell which ones are new recruits like me—we all carry small packs and lack weapons the established Enforcers wear with such casual menace.
The perimeter of the courtyard is lined with silent Enforcers, their faces turned toward our group with the unnerving attention of predators assessing potential threats. Or prey.
And I’m willingly walking into their ranks.
“Line up,” barks a sharp voice, cutting through the quiet murmuring.
I jolt and move into formation with the others, counting my breaths to keep calm.
One in, two out, three in, four out.
The man addressing us has imposing, broad shoulders, his posture rigid with the kind of command that expects immediate obedience. Even through the space filled with bodies, the weight of his gaze is heavy as it sweepsacross us.
“You will be tested,” he begins, pacing the line with measured steps. It’s clear he’s accustomed to being heard and obeyed without question. “Your strength, endurance, and intelligence will determine whether you are fit to wear this uniform. Fail, and you will be dismissed. Succeed, and you will earn your place among us.”
He introduces himself as Arayik, the Commander, and continues outlining rules and expectations with ruthless efficiency.
This must be the man that selected Elias to be in our group?—
I stall, my attention snagging on the two Enforcers standing behind the Commander. The one on the right, standing where Elias was a few minutes ago, stares across our group with calculating eyes.
Fuck me. He’s not a recruit. I was stupid to not check his ranking in the vehicle, but I can easily make it out right here. Two arrows pointing downward—a lieutenant.
I silently curse myself. Of course, the one person I was borderline rude to during our journey turns out to be one of our leaders. Perfect. My ability to sabotage myself remains unmatched.
Arayik introduces the other two as Elias, his second, and Kellen, his third. I’m so frustrated with myself for not taking in every detail, for immediately getting off on the wrong foot with leadership. When Arayik directs us to follow him, I linger at the back of the line. The heat of Elias’ gaze tracks me, and I’m hyperaware of every step I take. No wonder he was so curious about me.
I wish there had been time to practice walking. I can’t just keep changing my gait. They’d either kick me out for being suspicious or for looking like a damn idiot.
I decide to keep my walk as normal as I would move, justwith longer strides. That should be easy enough to maintain, regardless of how awkward and forced it feels.
We follow the Commander through a grove of trees, and my jaw drops when we emerge at what can only be an obstacle course. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen outside of the forbidden books my father brings home. There’s a towering wall with strange shapes sticking from it, thin beams suspended over what look like deadly drops, followed by a series of tunnels and obstacles that appear designed to break the human body rather than test it.
Arayik barks at us to drop our packs and line up to begin. My heart hammers against my ribs. I didn’t expect this—not on day one, after traveling for ten hours. I thought there would be some kind of orientation…an introduction to the facility, or at least a chance to get our bearings before being thrown into physical trials.
No, we’re diving directly into the flames without so much as a safety briefing.
Commander announces with cold clarity that this isn’t merely an assessment. Anyone who fails to complete the course will be sent home immediately. He doesn’t even want to learn our names until we prove ourselves worthy of his attention.
