I lift my chin. “Who says I want to enterVal’taz Ezkairin?”
She comes even closer. We’re standing face-to-face. Her steel-colored eyes bore into mine, and I feel like she’s looking in the deepest corners of my soul.
It takes everything in me not to avert my gaze.
It would make me look weak.
Her words are quiet as a whisper. “Tell me you haven’t considered it.” When I don’t reply, she flashes me a half smile. It doesn’t reach her eyes. “That’s what I thought. Someone like you, a human Decarios who dared venture into the land of the unknown and attempted to get into an ancient order of soldiers where humans are not welcomed, has the potential to be great. And often ambition to help them get to greatness. Besides, Kitajo shared with me about the blood debt you’re owed. You know, as an Ezkai General, you could challenge King Francis to a duel. It’s our tradition and law. He may not be an Ekion, but he’d have no other choice but to accept or he’d look like a coward in front of people from three nations.”
My jaw drops. That…sounds too good to be true. But if Vera’s telling the truth, the only thing standing between me and claiming vengeance is these trials.
“Okay, fine. I may have entertained that idea,” I say. “Why doyouwant me to enter the trials? To offer support and back me up? There is a number of other Ezkai, more powerful and better-trainedfaeEzkai, you could support instead. I’ve only been in the Order for a couple of months.”
“But you’ve been training for the majority of your life. You saved Kitajo’s life.” When she says the General’s name, her voice quivers slightly. “He believed you will be the one to revolutionize Ekios’s future, make it diverse and thriving. A human Ezkai, a powerful and capable one who can unite all three races. Hehad plans for you. I trust Kitajo’s judgment. And I think you’re the best candidate to help me fulfill what we’ve been working towards for so long.”
“Ah, so there’s something you need from me if I were to become the next General.”
“Of course. Everything in life has a cost.”
I arch an eyebrow. “I’m not going to become the Ezkai General just to be your puppet.”
“Nobody’s asking you to be a puppet,” she says. “All I’m asking you is to pass the law Kitajo was working on before he passed away. One where the government takes control over brothels all over Ekios.”
Warily, I eye her for a moment.That’s it? That’s her price?
If that’s all I need to do to get her support and help to become the next Ezkai General…well, I don’t see why not.
Daegel…
If I enterVal’taz Ezkairin, we’ll be fighting against each other. We’ll become enemies. Only one of us will walk out alive.
I don’t know if I can do it.
Cold fear fingers wrap around my heart and squeeze so hard I barely manage to down a breath.
“There’s one more thing, Phoenix,” Vera says. “If you were to become my chosen champion, and accept the support and help I offer, you’ll have to cut all ties with Caligos.”
I blink rapidly at her. “I don’t—I’m not affiliated with Caligos!”
Vera glances down at her nails, bored. “You’re affiliated with Caligos by association to the Talbot heir. If you do this, if you accept my offer, you’ll have to sacrifice your ties to him.”
My heart sinks.
I open my mouth to speak, but she lifts her palm to silence me. “Don’t give me an answer now. Think about it. Sleep on it. In three days’ time, I’ll find you and we’ll speak again.”
She whirls on her heel and walks away. All I can think about as her silhouette disappears behind the sea of trees is that I can’t have both.
I have to choose between Daegel, or revenge.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
PHOENIX
My heart is heavy the next day as I make my way towards the physical training hall in the Ezkai Academy.
It’s only been a couple of months since I graduated, but it feels like forever has passed. I’m a different person than I was the first day I started the Ezkai Academy.
As I approach the fountain in the middle of the square, the same fountain where my fellow squad members almost drowned me my first week at the academy, my heart aches. I glance at the building on the side where the barracks are.
