Dark shadows settle in the lines of his face, and his brown eyes turn black. A cold fire burns inside them. I blink and the flames engulf me. I wince, trying to run away from the agony.
But I can’t escape.
I’m burning from the inside out. The skin where my scars are burns, as if I’m in the fire at my family’s home all over again. My throat aches, and I want to scream, to release the pain of the burning cold flames, but I can’t find my voice.
“Ezkai, it’s time to let go!” the monk’s voice demands in my mind. “Let go and cleanse yourselves, once and for all!”
Vasquez calls for me, but I don’t answer. I want to get away as far from him as possible even if I can’t move or speak.
He isn’t real.
This isn’t right.
I close my eyes once again and inhale a deep breath. Despite the pain and terror, I surrender to the cold and embrace it. I feel the pain and the rage pass through and out of me. Just like the memories of my loved ones, the good and the bad.
For a long time, I’m drowning in complete silence. It’s dark, and empty. But slowly, I gain my ability to move and I flex my fingers. Wiggle my toes.
When I open my eyes, I’m back at the Well. The monks stand at the edge with calm and pleasant faces. My heart pounds in my ears and throat. I bring my hands to my cheeks. They’re wet.
Exhaustion hits me like a wall of bricks.
“You have done well, Ezkai,” the middle monk says. “You’ve cleansed your mind, body, and soul, and you’re ready for the next step waiting ahead of you.”
I look around.
There are three bodies floating in the water. I clasp my hand over my mouth. The rest of the participants still alive are justas shocked as I am. Even Daegel is distressed, the mask of confidence gone.
The Ezkai rush to haul the bodies out of the Well. The cadavers have unnaturally pale skin and lips, and their eyes are void of pupils or irises. As if their souls have abandoned their bodies, leaving only a lifeless sack of flesh behind.
What. The. Fuck.
I hug myself. I’m shaking so bad even my teeth clatter. All of us are supposed to survive this. This is a preparation ritual, not an elimination. I can’t believe it.I could have been one of them.
“Not everyone survives the Cleansing,” Daegel says to me as I approach the edge of the pool where he stands. “That’s why they call it the Culling. Didn’t your patron warn you?”
I don’t answer. I’m too shaken.
Daegel notices it, and all the anger and sarcasm vanishes. His voice is soft when he says, “Phoenix, are you alright?”
He takes a step closer to me, but I lift my palms in the air and step away. I shake my head. It’s too much for me to process. Daegel and I…we’re on opposite sides now.
I can’t seek comfort in an enemy.
Not when there’s so many eyes around us.
Daegel seems to remember that, too, as he collects himself.
“Ezkai,” the monk says, drawing my attention. “The Cleansing has officially come to an end. Rest, recharge, and reflect upon today’s events. Meditate on the things you’ve uncovered inside your mind and soul today; they will help you win these trials. Only the Decarios that reach the perfect balance between his mind, body, and soul can be a true chosen leader. The Well blesses you.”
I barely made it out alive tonight.
One thing is clear—I’m not fighting other Decarios during these trials. First and foremost, I’m fighting myself. It’s something I don’t expect, and have no desire to do.
Worse—I’m not sure I have the skills to do it.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
PHOENIX
