The tension in my spine finally released.
Jesper let the moment stretch, the glow of the verdict hovering over us like it was carved from the sun.
“You were not meant to be flawless. You were meant to think. To adapt. To improvise when you had to, and above all…” His gaze swept across us like a blade, sharp and certain. “Your job was not to fall apart or sabotage each other when it mattered. You did that.”
Jesper turned back to the panel, the glowing interface folding away into darkness with a hum.
“Dismissed,” he said, walking us out of the simulator. “Interrogation rounds begin shortly. Grab something to eat if you can stomach it. You’ll need it.”
“Ah, Jesper!” I stepped in front of him with an innocent smile on my lips. “Can I have my dagger back?”
He paused, lips pursing as if he had to think about it. “I’m not permitted to give any confiscated weapons back during the exam.”
“Please?” I pouted my bottom lip and took a step closer.
He stepped back, almost tripping over his own foot before rushing past me. He paused next to me briefly. “If you pass, I’ll give it back.”
Then, he walked faster away from me.
Looks like I had another reason to pass.
The dagger wasn’t that special, but it was the principle of the matter.
Zuko grabbed my wrist and pulled me close just as we exited the simulator. “Are you still thinking about my venom?”
I bit down on my bottom lip as I stared into his dark orange eyes. “Definitely.”
Slater huffed, waving his arms. “Snakey also has venom. And he’s cooler. Obviously. You enjoyed his venom, too.”
“I did,” I agreed.
“You’ll enjoy mine more,” Zuko promised before he turned to Slater. “What’s his real name, by the way? You can’t honestly tell me you named him at four and kept it that.”
Slater grinned. “Snakeyishis name. We don’t question it.”
“I think it’s cute,” Koa told Slater kindly.
“Aw, thanks, brother-mate,” he cheered.
“I thoughtIwas your brother-mate?” Zuko pouted.
“You both are,” Slater explained easily. “I have a feeling Rune’s going to have a few mates.”
Fates help me.
rune
. . .
It felt morelike I was being held prisoner instead of taking an entrance exam.
Sterile metal walls boxed me in tightly, faintly humming with runes on the walls that I didn’t recognize. A single fae-like orb that was red and made of glass, not magic, hovered in the ceiling’s corner. It put out a soft, pulsing red glow.
The cold metal chair was uncomfortable, and a matching desk separated me from the woman sitting on the other side.
She’d introduced herself as Advisor Celine. She was an empath witch. She wore no uniform like the rest of the staff; instead, she wore a long, dark robe. Her silver braid twisted to the side with faintly glowing enchanted threads.
“Take a breath, Rune,” she advised with a soft smile. “There’s no need to be anxious. Let’s begin.”
