Page 14 of The Brothers Bane

My heart races as I catch up to her. We jog together, my legs pumping in time with hers. I expect to feel winded quickly, but something’s different. With each stride, my lungs seem to expand, drawing in more air than I thought possible. The burn in my muscles is there, but distant.

Ele shoots me a grin. “How are you feeling? Can we step it up?”

I chuckle and shake my head. “I should warn you I’m the least competitive person alive. But I think I’ve got more to give, sure.” I grin back and push a little harder.

The endorphins flood my body like a drug, though it isn’t an entirely new sensation. I felt this that first day in the prison, in the midst of being taken to my very limits while cradled on a hammock of Typhon’s mass of writhing snake heads. The obvious difference is I’m not being fucked right now. This is all me, pushing my own body to its limits just for the sake of finding out what those limits really are.

Limits I haven’t truly tested until now, I realize. I’m not clouded by a haze of desire, hyperfocused on mine or my partner’s pleasure. The only time I’ve had the chance to test my physical strength was the morning after the ritual, revisiting the wrecked cabin and finding I could easily move entire hardwood beams with one hand and not get winded.

I’m not winded now, either, so I push myself even harder, drawing ahead of Ele only to have her match me a moment later. She’s red-faced and puffing now, but her eyes are bright with excitement.

“Come on!” I taunt. “I thought you could keep up with me!”

I have no idea how far ahead we are until we come up behind the rear of the group and pass them easily. Some women let out laughs and surprised curses as we blow by. The mist clings to my skin, cooling me off as my body heats from the exertion.

This is the freest I’ve felt in my entire life, and I barely register the whistle blowing as we round the far end of the field for the third time. It’s a matter of seconds before we reach the starting line again and slow to a stop. A round of applause and hoots and whistles greet us from the handful of women already stopped, more congratulations coming for the rest as they make it back.

“Fuck, I haven’t had a run like that in decades,” Ele says. “Now I want to see what else you can do.”

“Me too,” Mel says, looking impressed. “Nice work, everyone!” she calls. “Who here enjoyed that?”

I raise my hand, along with a handful of the other women. Most offer good-natured “fuck-thats,” though.

“Well, this is just the start. Before you get comfortable, let’s test your strength! Everyone drop to the grass and give me as many pushups as you can until the whistle blows!”

After the pushups, we do sit-ups, then jumping jacks. Then she sends us down the small obstacle course in the center of the field, which includes a tire run followed by a climb up a rope dangling from a steel framework high above. Somehow, I surprise myself again by making it to the top within seconds, then dropping easily into a crouch on the ground again. It isn’t until I hear the gasps of the observers that I look up and realize how far a drop it was. No one else, including Ele, makes it that far.

I find myself more grateful for these tests than annoyed. I wouldn’t have tested myself otherwise, and wouldn’t have had such a clear understanding of my limits.

When we’re finished, Mel is conferring with her two fellow trainers. After a moment she nods, then steps toward the group again.

“You all did amazing. We’re going to split up now. When Thalestris and Areto call your name, line up with them. Nemea, you’re with me today.”

My mind races—amazement mixed with trepidation—as Mel’s expression shifts from impartial to something almost gleeful.

“Prepare yourself,” she warns with a hint of mischief in her tone. “Training with me is no walk in the park.”

I nod silently, understanding dawning on me that this is only the beginning—the threshold of what promises to be a grueling, but empowering journey into discovering just how deep this newfound strength runs.

A nudge at my side makes me turn to see Ele grinning. “See? I knew you’d kick ass. But I think it’s time I left. I’m not about to let Mel put me through my paces.”

“Way to instill confidence,” I gripe, even though I’m feeling up to the challenge for once in my life.

But Mel raises an eyebrow. “Giving up so soon, Eleutheria? I thought you had more mettle than that.”

This makes Ele stiffen, and her jaw sets, making me wonder how often she was met with this particular taunt. As an Amazon princess, she no doubt had to prove herself over and over.

“You know I can run this course in my sleep, Mel.”

“I know you used to be able to. Can you still, or have you grown soft sitting in that cushy office and traipsing around the world in first-class cabins all these years?”

“I can still take anything you’ll throw at me. Don’t fucking hold back.”

“You got it.” Mel smirks. I glance at Ele, who is still flushed from our tests. She definitely looks more determined.

I face Mel again. Her clipboard is gone and she stands with hands on hips.

“Are you ready?”

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