I turn my attention back to the females.
“Your Domains and Designations don’t define you. In here or out there.” I point my sword toward the entrance or exit—however you want to look at it—of the Court as I pant for breath.
“Strength comes in all shapes and sizes. I don’t care if the other day was the first time you held a sword or the hundredth. What I care about is you showing up. Not for me, but for yourself. Every one of you here can do what we just did. You just have to have faith in yourself.
“I understand some of you may not want to be here. Training and learning how to fight isn’t something you want to do. That’s perfectly okay. You can leave at any time. I’m quite close to the Rising Chancellor, and one conversation will be all it takes and I can have you where you want to be. But…”
I take a deep breath, letting my sincere gaze scan them.
“If you stay, you have to give me your all. In return, you’ll get all of me. I can and will teach you. You will know how to protect yourself.”
The crowd shifts, and I straighten my shoulders, locking eyes with Yemi and allowing her smile to settle my racing heart.
“So, with that being said, if you don’t want to be here, please head that way. For those of you who are staying, go get a training sword. We got shit to learn.”
For a heartbeat, no one moves. I don’t let the uncertainty in the air cause my feet to rock. I do give Yemi and Rose a small nod when they break away from the crowd and head toward the piles of wooden swords.
Every eye follows them.
It is but isn’t a surprise when Jay and Leah break away from everyone next. They share smiles with Yemi and Rose, then the four of them turn to face me.
I release a subtle breath as another steps up, then another, and soon enough, clusters of females gather around the swords, waiting to grab one of their own.
No one leaves the Court.
“Well, there you go. Now we have a full rotation of baby fighters.”
A small laugh tumbles out of me, and I bump Mara with my elbow.
“Go help them get in proper positions,” I tell her. “And try to look friendly while you do it.”
She gives me a practiced grin and I grimace.
“Never mind. Just be yourself, but nicer.”
“You’re such an ass.” She laughs as she marches toward the others, barking for everyone to line up and get in position.
I smirk as some of them sneer at her rather than step away.
We’ve got this.
We’re already getting somewhere.
Kyzen
12
The pressure of tomorrow hangs over everyone’s head.
Despite each of us fulfilling and adapting to our new roles these last few days, it hasn’t distracted us from the reality we’ll face in less than twenty-four hours.
We’re all nervous in our own ways.
Riven, as always, is hiding his fear behind humor. He’ll taunt Amick, asking him things like, “What do you think would happen if I use my Chaos to make it seem like the Attendants have risen from the dead in the middle of the trial?”
I hope to fuck that isn’t something he can manage, but you can never be too sure with him. For all I know, he’s already gone to the healing villas and tested it out.
Amick doesn’t feed into him. Verbally, anyway.
