Riven sagged against the wall, chest heaving, a wet chuckle spilling from him even as Orin’s knuckles drove into his ribs.
“Orin, stop!” I shouted, my voice cracking as I lunged forward. “You’re going to kill him!”
Another punch landed. Riven coughed, blood flecking the stone, his cheek split now.
I grabbed Orin’s arm, desperation burning through me. “Please!”
Orin hesitated, breath ragged. There was no anger in his eyes, just a quiet satisfaction as he looked down at the bloodied mess he had made.
Riven lifted his head slowly, a dark grin still spread across his gore-stricken face.
I crouched down in front of him, panic clawing up my throat. “Please, Riven,” I begged. “Just say your fear.”
For a heartbeat, the room went still as if everyone was waiting for Riven to give in.
Riven’s gaze found mine through the haze, one eye nearly shut, the other sharp and lucid. His grin faltered, just barely, something dark flickering beneathit.
“…No,” he rasped.
I placed my hand against his cheek. “Please,” I whispered again.
He sighed, leaning into my touch and letting his eyes flicker shut.
“That I will never be worthy of love,” he whispered into the dim light, voice cracking with emotion that made my heart squeeze.
The shackles exploded from around Riven’s wrists and I stood back. Riven stood slowly, when he grunted in pain and stumbled, I tried to steady him. But he pushed me away. He gave a mock bow and the door flew open. We followed Orin out into the dungeon’s walkway.
Commander Kragthorne sat on a chair in the centre of the room.
“You are thirteenth. Be smarter next time. A squad must work together and have each other’s backs. Your squad has…” He paused, running a hand down his beard and looking at Riven’s bloodied and bruised face. “Issues,” he finished.
“Now get out of my sight and sleep while you can. Training begins in two hours.”
Orin and Bohdi saluted our commander. He stared at us until we did the same, then gave us a dismissive nod.
We walked in silence back to our room, the sound of boots scuffing over stone filling the awkwardness.
I felt exposed, a part of me bared to these strangers that no one had seen before. Though judging by their downcast gazes, they all felt just as violated as I did. I knew their deepest fears. They knew mine. And somehow, that made them feel like more than strangers even though I had known them for three days.
Ten
A Ghost in the Woods
My legs felt heavy as I ran through the snow. The first two laps had been torturous. My muscles ached with each movement, sore from yesterday’s training. But I had found with each step, the pain faded into a bearable throb. I was surprised that the rest of the squad kept pace with me today. Even Hadley. Orin and Bohdi didn’t have to run with us, but they chose to. A show of unity. Maybe our forced bonding had made us stronger, or maybe it was all for show.
The other squads seemed to run together as well, their lieutenant and corporal ran beside them too, boots crunching in time like a rhythm of survival. Two squads had still not made it out of the dungeons, and I wondered if they ever would.
We passed the grove of snow-capped trees behind the barracks. Each time we did, gooseflesh would rip across my skin, and a strange feeling would make my stomach uneasy.
But this time the feeling was stronger. Something in my chest pulled, a deep tugging sensation towards the grove that made me gasp.
My feet faltered. A familiar melody floated through the air, coiling itself deep within me.
“Keep moving, or they’ll make us run extra,” Hadley snapped, breathless. Her voice was still raspy, and her bruising had somehow become more vibrant overnight.
“Why are you singing?” Dreya asked from beside me, her bronzed skin glistening with sweat. I hadn’t realised I was singing and my song died under the scrutiny of her gaze.
My eyes were locked on a ghost only I could see.
