They came to a stop at the edge of an empty mat, members of their block already there waiting to see who would spar first.
‘This isn’t the problem,’ said Dionne, leaning closer and lowering her voice. ‘It’s the War Zone you have to worry about.’
‘What’s that?’
‘Every six months, ten inmates are taken out back to the island’s forest, and they stay there until one dies.’
Scarlen’s heart skipped a beat and heat tingled her spine. ‘What’s in the forest that kills you?’
‘One of the inmates,’ Dionne whispered. ‘Ten go in, nine come out. As soon as someone is killed, the horn blows, and no one is allowed to attack anyone after that, else you go straight to Red.’
‘Why would the warden allow such a thing?’
Dionne scoffed quietly. ‘He invented the Zone. Gets his witch to use her powers so some of his rich friends can see the forest, make wagers.’
It was hard to believe such cruelty was taking place in the kingdom, and she had to wonder if her father knew, and if Milon had ever been sent to the Zone.
‘Hey, Dee, who chooses the inmates for the forest?’
‘Binnow comes into the canteen with a sack and pulls out names.’ Dionne shrugged as Miss Goolan approached, organising two of the women to step onto the mat. ‘Luck of the draw. But fledglings are exempt.’
The thought alone had goosebumps prickle Scarlen’s arms. ‘How long are we fledglings?’
‘Three months.’
‘Smithson,’ snapped Miss Goolan. ‘Get ready, you’re up next with Kylar.’
Dionne subtly nudged Scarlen. ‘Shit, I bet Ky paid her for that.’
Scarlen wasn’t sure what made her eyebrows stretch the most: that guards could be paid for favours, or she had to spar with someone who clearly hated her guts. She turned to Dionne. ‘Why does Kylar hate me?’
‘She’s with Judd, and he wanted to claim you.’
Kylar was on the other side of the mat, warming up her joints by stretching. A twisted snarl was upon her face.
‘But I’m no threat to her.’ Scarlen stole a glance at Amber as Judd whipped off his top to fight another male of his build. ‘I’m with Bear.’ Just the words alone stung her tongue, but it had to be said.
‘That’s the second reason.’ Dionne grinned. ‘She wishes she could get with Bear. Most do.’
‘But she hates northerners.’
‘Yeah, but Bear’s her weakness.’ Dionne chuckled. ‘Just like southerners are Judd’s.’
Great! Thanks to Judd and Bear and their stupid claim, I’m going to get my head kicked in.Scarlen glared at her opponent while a pale woman held in a chokehold tapped out.
‘Weak, Frieda,’ said Miss Goolan, shaking her head at Frieda clutching her throat, gasping for air. ‘Next.’
In a moment of desperation, Scarlen grabbed Dionne by the arm. ‘I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.’
‘You’ve got to pin her down. Make her yield. No strikes to the back of the head or lady parts.’ Dionne gestured downwards. ‘Only two punches allowed per round, so mostly you’re wrestling.’
Kylar was already on the mat, her head tilted, her smirk firmly in place, and Scarlen inhaled silently to help calm herself, not that it did much good, but Zana always said calmness was needed to think clearly.
‘Places,’ called Miss Goolan.
Kylar crouched while Scarlen’s mind scrambled to go over everything Zana had taught her.
As soon as Goolan flagged her arm down, Kylar punched Scarlen straight in the left cheekbone, knocking the fear from her at once.
