“I changed my mind,” Ender says. “Go on. Show us if you belong here.”
For a moment, I don’t move. Ender whistles, and everyone comes to a halt. Eight pairs of eyes lock onto me. I notice Rei among the group; she and Aric are both a part of this. And they are wearing matching expressions of disgust.
Just my luck.
I exhale slowly and step forward. The platform beneath my boots shifts, and the wall begins to shift, as the levers click, drawing me up. It’s hard to stand still when the floor rattles beneath me, raising me several inches above the floor.
“Nonlethal force,” Ender says. “Free for all.”
The recruits hesitate, uncertain about who to attack first, before pure mayhem ensues.
Everyone begins to charge at each other.
Aric and Rei exchange a smile and race for me. Another girl with short hair joins them. Two platforms remain between us, but they leap across each one, evading the flying fists that come their way until they are on mine. I run toward them, refusing to tuck tail and hide.
They don’t expect it.
Aric goes rigid when I hook my arm around his elbow and use his momentum against him, sending him careening back into the mats below.
“You’re going to regret that,” Aric growls.
He blinks, and he’s back on the platform, leaning on his powers to help him. Rei lifts her hand to fling me when Ender’s voice cuts through the noise.
“No powers against the Common!” Ender barks.
A frustrated growl escapes her when she realizes it’s going to be a fair fight. She nods at the girl to her left and eyes Aric.
They surround me, moving in a coordinated effort.
I slip out two blades. Not the practice ones everyone else has. I’m kind of glad I didn’t get the chance to grab those. At least I know if I strike, it will cut.
Ender said “nonlethal,” so I can’t exactly shoot them, which would be ideal.
The tip of a practice knife bounces off my vest. I’ve never been more glad to be overdressed. That would have left a bruise.
Aric’s fist flies in my direction. I duck and leap away from the girl they partnered with, whose leg flies towards my ribs. I use my blade to slice her stomach, watching the blood trickle from her wound.
Rei clips my shoulder, and pain blooms across my skin. Aric and the girl attempt to grab my wrists, but I evade their hungry grasps and kick the girl’s ankles out from under her. She falls on her back, and I sink my blade in her thigh.
She howls in pain. Rei looks furious that I’ve stabbed her friend.
Others join them when they’ve bested their opponents. It’s five against one. The Gifted don’t like that I’m still standing. It reflects poorly on them. They’d rather fight each otherafterthey’ve put me down.
“Get her,” Rei says.
I turn, prepared to run and put some distance between us, while I brainstorm a way to win, when Spider drops in front of me. My pistol is in my hand before I register the movement, the barrel stopping inches from his chest.
Spider slowly lifts both hands, grinning.
“Nonlethal,” he reminds. “Put it away.”
I contemplate shooting him in the face to wipe that smug look off.
“You’re kind of scary; you know that?” Spider says.
I click the safety. He has seen nothing yet.
“Enough,” Ender says.
