Fuck.
I have no choice but to stand there and pretend to meditate so Egith’s watchful gaze doesn’t clock my failure. At least I’m not the only one who doesn’t seem to receive any visions.
One of a few, anyway.
Eventually, Egith calls the exercise to a close, ending our lesson with a bone-chilling announcement.
“Practice deepening your bonds with your wolves as much as possible in the following weeks, Rawbonds,” she says gravely. “The Purge Trial will be here before you know it, which is the end of the Forging period. After that point, the Rawbonds that remain will move into the Proving period, where you learn to work together as packs.”
The Rawbonds that remain. I can’t believe we’re facing death again so soon. And if I remember correctly, this is a chance for the packs to cull any members they think are too weak to survive.
This process is ridiculous.
“Hold on,” I say, unable to hold back my frustration. “I don’t understand the whole purging thing. Why kill each other? Whythin our own ranks when we need every warrior we can get to fight the Siphons?”
Egith just frowns at me in baffled disappointment.
I glance around at the others. Perielle smirks like I’ve just loudly announced that I’m the village idiot.
“Seriously, somebody explain it to me,” I say. “Why are we culling Bonded pairs when they’re already so rare? Why does the king require this? Why does everyone justacceptit?”
The silence that follows is deafening. Beside me, Anassa bristles with silent scorn. Even Izabel winces in embarrassment when I look her way.
Egith’s voice rings out again, carrying the strain of barely controlled temper. “It hasnothingto do with the king.”
I meet her frustrated gaze. “Alright, so why, then?”
“Direwolves are pack creatures,” she grates, “in case that was not abundantly clear to you. These Trials are createdbyandforthem.”
Wait…what?
“You’re saying the direwolves created this training?” I demand. “They want us to cull each other?”
“Yes,” Egith growls. “In war, the weakest link endangers everyone. We can only succeed against our enemy if we work together. And if there are any direwolves or Bonded riders who might endanger the pack’s safety, it is in everyone’s best interest to cull them now—before we are at war andallour lives are at risk.”
My ears start to ring in the silence that follows.
Oh.
Oh… shit.
Realization dawns with cold, sinking dread.
Good job, Meryn. You just painted another fucking target on your back.
Through my tenuous bond with Anassa, I sense the wolf’s agreement with Egith’s words. And something else—a warning. Or perhaps a challenge.
If I fuck this up, she’ll be happy to cull me herself.
After class,I head straight for the terraces to find Anassa. She’s on the uppermost terrace again, and the mental wall between us is bigger and more impenetrable than ever. My frustration builds with each failed attempt to connect through our bond.
Why the fuck is she doing this? I thought we had an understanding.
This goddess-damned wolf is going to get me killed.
A twinge of shame follows me as I climb, however. I know I screwed up today by questioning the process. If I don’t get Anassa back on my side, the Purge Trial is going to be just like the Presentation—only it’ll end with me splattered all over the floor. For real this time.
Anassa could have told me that these Trials were designed by the direwolves,I think, temper rising with each step I climb.She could make this whole business so much easier if she fucking helped me out once in a while.
