“You’re a skilled fighter,” Vera says. “A Phantom Ranger, which is rare. As long as you find a way to put enough distance between you and the dragon you fight, there shouldn’t be any issues. Use the terrain to your advantage.”
I stare out the window, mute.
Vera clears her throat. “Phoenix?”
“She’s brooding,” Jax whispers to her, as if I couldn’t hear it.
I don’t even have to look at Vera to know she’s rolling her eyes at me.
“I won’t kill a dragon,” I say without bothering to look at them. “Period. Conversation is over.”
Both of them are silent.
“May I ask how do you plan on winning, then?” Jax asks. “I doubt you can outrun a dragon. At least not as a human Decar?—”
I shut him up with a glare.
Vera doesn’t argue with me. I turn away to my window. The very tips of the mountains are snowy. The contrast of the reddish-brown rocks at the base of the mountain with the white is stark. If I look at it for too long it hurts my eyes.
We don’t speak for the rest of the journey.
We arrive at the monastery nestled at the top of the Killygano Mountains just after midday. A group of monks dressed in white robes greet us. The air here is fresh and crispy, and I can see my breath. The view of the snowy mountain top rising above the red roof of the monastery takes my breath away. Colorful birds line the branches of the trees all over the grounds of the monastery, and they chirp cheerfully as we follow the monks inside.
All of the participants are staying here for the duration of the trial. We are assigned a three-bedroom suite with a private bathroom and access to a little garden on the side of the building. The ceilings are high, with exposed wood beams.
“Did you see? There is a huge fountain!” Jax says, waving us over to the window.
With a roll of my eyes, I stalk to the window to see the damn fountain. It has a statue of two marble dragons frozen in a dance in midair. Water spouts from their open mouths. A chill goes down my back.
“Because I’m a gentleman, I’ll let you claim your beds first, ladies,” Jax says, flashing us a crooked smile.
I snort. “A gentleman? Do you even know what that means?”
He opens his mouth to answer, but I hold up my palm. “If you’re about to crack an inappropriate joke, spare me.”
Vera chuckles. She takes the bed in the middle. I take one next to the window, and Jax is left the with bed by the wall.
“You break my heart every time you open your mouth, Phoenix,” Jax says, plopping on the bed.
“How about we don’t talk to each other, then? Your heart won’t break, and my ears won’t bleed.”
“Great idea!” Jax props himself on his elbows. “I have about a thousand ideas that don’t involve talking. Shall we go through the list now or later?”
I roll my eyes, and Vera laughs.
“I’m going to strangle him in his sleep if he won’t shut up,” I tell Vera.
She shrugs. “I know just the place to dump the body.”
That makes me smile. Vera winks at me. Just like that, the tension between us evaporates.
“Ouch!” Jax complains. “Two against one is not fair.”
“Life’s not fair. Deal with it, pretty face,” Vera says. It’s a gentle tease. “I’m going to find Noire. Once I’m back, let’s finish our conversation, Phoenix.”
Jax yawns and gets on his feet. “Sounds good. I’ll go snoop around the place to see if I can maybe overhear some gossip.”
“Gossip will definitely help Phoenix win. Smart thinking, Jaxy,” Vera deadpans, walking through the door.
