Page 76 of Forcing Fate

The Healer, Rashel, motioned to her assistant, a young girl with long brown hair tied up off her face. She hurried to walk to her side as we headed to the main doors of the Healers’ quarters. Rashel flung them open and stomped inside. The guards stationed there didn’t even flinch.

She led me down a hall and into a large room lined with windows. Sick cots lay in a row, with bright white sheets tucked tight. She marched to a corner and grabbed a curtain, yanking it closed around us. She turned, braced her feet apart, crossed her arms, and stared.

“Why are you with those men?” she persisted, as if she couldn’t believe I would try to join.

Her assistant clasped her hands together and stood to the side, a picture of calm.

“I’ve joined the ranks,” I stated.

“And I’m a cat. Tell me the truth.”

“I just did.”

Her sharp gaze shot to my skirt, and I fought against the urge to hide the long tear.

“And what of your dress? Was that your doing or one of the men?”

How was I supposed to answer that? “It was an accident.” I shirked the question, biting my lip.

Her jaw flexed as her glare deepened. “Women aren’t allowed in the ranks.”

“There’s no law saying they’re not.”

“There’s never been a female soldier.”

“Till now.”

She clamped her jaw shut, taking a deep breath. “You really joined? They let you?” She seemed as though it was unbelievable. Which, to me, it had been, too.

“General Rafe allowed me.”

“General Rafe?! That insufferable man? You’re joking.”

I shook my head in answer. This woman was volatile. I could practically see the steam coming out of her ears.

“He isn’t kind to anyone. He hasn’t a decent bone in his body.”

“I never said he did, ma’am.”

“He probably only allowed you in to make an example of you.”

I wouldn’t put it beyond him.

I pursed my lips, not daring to respond to that one.

“That, or he plans to make you the new barracks’ whore.”

My brows snapped together, but I held my tongue. Why couldn’t people assume that I had a decent reputation?

She tapped a delicate finger on her lips, thinking. “You want to be failed? I’ll get you out of this mess.”

“No! No, ma’am. I don’t want to fail.”

“You would have stood out there and stripped for those men? You would have disrobed for the physical inspection?” She lifted her chin with a challenging glare.

“No, ma’am,” I sighed. “I wouldn’t have. I still will not. If you make me go out there for the physical inspection, I will request dismissal.”

“Oh, so you have a sense of modesty?” she mocked.

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