Shame burns through me as I sit down. I can’t make myself believe Idris. Not when Father’s scrutiny makes me feel inadequate. It always does, whether I win or lose.
“My turn,” Dorian says as he takes my place.
He’s one of our strongest hunters, but also the most arrogant.
Each time my classmates strike their wooden spears, a new thought berates me. How could I be so sloppy? I know better than to get distracted. Or worse, let my guard down. It doesn’t matter that I was up all night hunting recently while they were fast asleep. That’s not a reason; it’s an excuse. I have to be better. Stronger.
I sit there, stewing in my thoughts, until class is finished.
“That’s all for today,” Idris says.
Maybe now I canfinallyget some rest.
“Before you go,” Father cuts in. “Valerie, work on your control. Dorian, your strikes are powerful but too slow. Michael, don’t think I didn’t notice your complete lack of technique. Next time I see you, I expect you to do better. That goes for all of you. Now go.”
Dorian knocks into me as he passes, bumping my shoulder. “Didn’t hear Daddy criticize his favorite. Wonder why.”
I should be used to his derision. Most of my classmates think the same thing. They haveno idea. Not even Val knows the extent of it.
Once everyone is gone, I start to leave.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Father asks, stopping me in my tracks. “Did I dismiss you, Amund?”
He hurls a spear at the back of my head.
As I spin, it nearly pierces my eye. I barely manage to snatch it in time. He isn’t just upset with me—he’sfurious.
Fear wells up, but I tamp it down quickly.
Just like an animal, Father can sense fear.
“You were holding backagain.” His expression turns severe as he rubs a large hand over his beard in frustration. “Because you think Valerie is your friend? Or is it because she’s a girl? None of that matters in a fight. She is your opponent. Nothing else.”
“I wasn’t holding back. Val—Valerie is one of the best—”
“Enough excuses,” Father says sharply. His dark eyes meet mine. “Youmust be the best. You are my only son.”
I grip my spear so tight my knuckles turn white. We both know that isn’t true.
When I remain silent, he continues. “You should be the first one here and the last to leave. Now come at me. And this time, don’t you dare hold back.”
“You have no weapon,” I point out.
He moves his hand in acome forwardmotion, challenging me. Hismessage is clear: He can beat me weaponless. A lifetime of training has turned him into the ultimate apex predator, and he prides himself on it. Whether or not heshould.
“For how long?” I ask, thoroughly exhausted.
“Until you draw blood,” Father says. “Or I do.”
CHAPTER FIVEEDITH
It’s my first official day of classes.
While getting ready, I go simple with a dark sweater, a skirt, and white sneakers. I double-check my reflection in the mirror. There isn’t enough concealer in the world to cover my eye bags. After grabbing dinner with Bea, I had trouble falling asleep last night because of jet lagandmy suitemate.
She returned at some point, but I didn’t go out to meet her, and I still don’t want to. So I press my ear to the door, listening to the click of her heels, waiting for her to leave. It’s almost 7:30 a.m. If I stall any longer, I’m going to be late for psychology. It’s one of the more normal-sounding classes on my schedule, unlike Transformation, Heightened Senses, History of the Sagas, or Reading the Runes. I was taking AP Psychology at my old school, but this is Skallagrim Academy. Nothing about this place is normal.
Yet here I am, hiding in my room just like I used to, trying to avoid notice. Mom and I always walked on eggshells around Dad. Always bent ourselves to fit into whatever space he allowed us to occupy.Always lived at the mercy of his whims. With him, our wholehousefelt like a prison.
