But now…while my heart still wants to claim vengeance, it also craves something else. Something that’s complicating my journey. Love.
An image of my dad smiling emerges at the front of my mind. His face is quickly fading within my memory. The lines of his features blurry. I try to conjure his image sparingly. I don’t want it to disappear completely too quickly.
There’s a knock on my door. Before I can answer, it opens and Vera enters.
I pull myself up onto my elbows. “I know it’s your house, but what if I was naked in here?”
She waves a dismissive hand. “Please, sweetheart, you live in a Caetra studio. Nudity is admired and celebrated here.”
I snort a laugh.
Vera walks over to the window and opens it fully, letting the fresh, cool breeze into the room. “I’m glad to see you’re awake. We have a busy day ahead of us.”
“Don’t tell me there are more political soirees to attend already. For love of the old gods, can we just get into the pit and be done with it?”
Vera’s eyebrows rise. “A pit? What do you think is happening here? An illegal dog fight?”
“Whatever, a pit, an arena, a theatre of pain. You know what I mean.”
Vera crosses her arms and leans her hip against the windowsill. “Phoenix, your fight is not always going to be physical. Stop thinking like a wild card and start being strategic. All of this will give you a taste of how your life will look once you’re an Ezkai General,” she says. “We are actually going to visit a friend today.”
Slowly, I drag myself out of the bed. The last thing I want to do is socialize today.
I yawn. “Okay. What kind of friend?”
“A good one. There is a legendary Decarios mentor, Oka Oya. It’s an honor to be trained by her. She’s the only one who will be able to guide you through these trials,” Vera says. “My friendknows more about her, so I want to find out how we can get Oka Oya to mentor you.”
At that, I perk up. “Give me ten minutes and I’m ready to go.”
Vera’s friend’s house is just a few streets away from Vera’s studio, on a small secluded street, farther away from the bustle and hustle of Bussek.
“Is this another one of Caetra studios?” I ask when we’re at the door.
“Yes. Most are located here in Bussek.”
Vera knocks, and without waiting for an answer, enters the studio.
This Caetra studio is cozy, but not as elegant or fancy as Vera’s. The space is smaller, without windows to the backyard, and the furniture is heavy and dark. Velvet curtains drape from the ceilings along all the walls. It makes it feel…stuffy.
Two young fae woman and one old fae leisurely sit at the round table in the middle of the room, playing cards and drinking tea.
“Vera D’Argent,” the girls greet Vera.
Their glances are curious as they eye me from the distance.
“Vera, I see you bring one of the honorable participants ofVal’taz Ezkairinto my studio today,” the older woman says. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
Vera takes one of the empty seats and I follow suit.
“Hi, girls. Hi, Ri,” Vera says. “Meet Ezkai Lieutenant Phoenix Wildarrow.”
“Hello,” I say. “Pleasure to meet you.”
Ri’s eyes are watery and bright when she looks up from her cards at me. The game doesn’t stop, though.
“Quite a few of my clients favor you already, Ezkai Phoenix,” Ri tells me.
From her expression, and the way she eyes me, I’m not sure if she deems it to be a good thing.
