Page 8 of The Heir's Bargain

But I wasn’t for long.

Now, only a few soldiers were ahead of me.

My feet were swift and light as I jumped from one platform to the next. My legs were nimble; my body energized.

Quick, easy touches.

When I reached the last platform, I didn't hesitate. I dove.

Chest to the ground, I crawled beneath the barbed wire. The rough ground tore through the linen fabric of my training uniform. My knees scratched against the ground, dirt piled beneath my nails, and sweat beaded at the base of my neck. My joints burned and screamed at me, yet I didn't stop.

I wouldn't stop.

I couldn't.

This was my chance to prove to the leaders that I had all the skills necessary to rise in the ranks. Not only could I be a team player, but I also had the strength to carry the team. I had the endurance and willpower to keep going and push through the pain.

Since I could crawl, I had been training for this moment.

If a child was blessed with a gift, the child usually showed signs of the gift early on. However, according to my parents, I showed no signs. Their concern was like a blazing siren in my ears whenever they looked at me. Because despite my entire family having been born with a gift, it had looked like I was bound to be giftless. I watched as my older brother Sawyer mastered any weapon he touched, and my younger brother Xander crafted tools before he could form a coherent sentence. I could see the pride in my father's eyes as he watched his sons' gifts flourish. And there I was, giftless.

So, I took to my studies like a moth to a flame, eager to prove that lacking a gift would not hinder me.

Little did I know my gift had already shown itself.

The gods hadn’t blessed me with an ability that improved my sword handling like Sawyer. I wasn't given enhanced speed like Gabriel or increased physical strength like Maximus.

I was a huntress, through and through. My ability was not flashy. Most, in fact, didn't even notice it.

Not everything needed to be covered in diamonds or gold to be of use, though.

My ability was an internal sensation that rose in the pit of my stomach and sent warning signals flaring through my body. It was subtle: the twitch of a finger, the click of a heel. It allowed me to assess my opponents' skills and outmaneuver them, to prey on their weaknesses and outsmart them before they even knew who was sneaking up behind them.

I didn't need strength or speed to be the best. While Gabriel's speed might have helped him during the two-mile run, his speed could only help him so much.

Gabriel hissed as the razor of the wire tugged at his skin. As blood bubbled along the fresh wound, his body shook, and his brown skin turned a sickly shade of green. Gabriel's fear of blood was almost paralyzing. Countless times, I had seen him freeze up because someone had nicked another with a blade during training. His speed was rendered useless.

Unwilling to let the opportunity pass me by, I hurried past him.

Clearing the barbed wire, I pushed myself up and off the ground, then sprinted. My arms pumped faster and faster.

Twenty more yards.

I was ahead of everyone now. I wasn't going to lose this. I needed this.

Fifteen more yards.

My legs burned, but I didn't stop.

Everything was riding on this moment. I had spent my life training, studying, and shaping my body and mind to be the best.

Ten more yards.

Another pair of feet pounded behind me, but I didn't waste the precious seconds to note the distance between us. I couldn't afford to. Today was the day all my hard work would prove to be worth it.

Today was the day I finally won.

Today was the day I came in first.

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