Page 54 of Visions & Shadows

“I slept okay,” I answer, trying not to think of the nightmare.

I glance around the campsite, where everyone’s busy getting ready for the day.

Nothing feels familiar.

I wonder if Molly and Stephen have noticed I’m gone. Will the Calders worry?

The thought that most of the people in Steamboat Springs will die settles heavily in my heart.

We’re quiet as we walk toward a hill, and once we leave the camp behind, she asks, “What are you thinking about? That’s if you don’t mind me asking?”

“I’m just thinking how my sister is going to kick my ass,” I lie, not wanting to talk about my chaotic emotions. “Brenna doesn’t seem to like me.”

Fleur offers me an encouraging smile. “Don’t worry. I’ll be there.”

“Great,” I chuckle.” Someone to pick up my body once she’s done killing me.”

When we get to the field where the training will take place, Brenna’s already waiting.

“I’ll wait over there,” Fleur says, pointing at a tree.

As I walk closer to where Brenna is standing, her eyes settle on me with disdain, making my stomach twist nervously.

“Peace be, Brenna,” I greet her, hoping today won’t be too bad.

Her eyes drift over me, and without saying a word, she turns around and moves a couple of steps away while pulling a knife from the holster on her hip.

Knife? We’re using weapons?

Fuck my life. I’m dead.

Without any warning, she draws her arm back and lunges forward. All I see is the silver of the blade glistening in the early morning sun, and I hearthe whistling sound as it cuts through the air.

I don’t even have time to flinch as the blade narrowly misses my throat by mere inches.

Holy shit.

I gasp, and as Brenna comes to a standstill, she says, “Today, you’ll learn how to hold and attack with a blade.”

So much for first learning the basics.

She throws the blade at my feet, and it pegs into the grass.

When I don’t pick it up fast enough, she raises an eyebrow at me before glaring at the blade that looks more like a cross between a sword and a massive butcher’s knife from a horror movie.

“You need to pick it up, idiot,” she snaps.

My temper flares hot, and as I bend over to yank the knife out of the grass, I say, “What the fuck is your problem, Brenna?”

“You don’t deserve the destiny of saving the chosen ten,” she spits the words out. “You’re weak, and you’ll get them killed.”

The nightmare flashes through my mind, and it keeps me from arguing with her.

“Let’s just train,” I mutter.

She holds her arms open and gives me a cocky smirk. “Attack me.”

I have no idea what to do, but figuring I can at least try, I lunge forward.

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