Page 66 of Striker

Cora’s jade eyes dart to the camera. I see the thought spark in her eyes and she grins and whispers back, “Then let’s make them regret it.”

Chapter 26

Striker

15 Years Ago

July

Age 15

It’s too hot tobe out in the yard, but Reaper insists they need to train more. They only have a few weeks before they leave, so it’s understandable he wants them to be prepared. It’ll improve their chances of survival. At least for two of them.

This last year has been harder than the previous and several of our brothers haven’t made the cut. Fallon’s training has taken a dark turn and we’re all on edge, so tired by the time we’re allowed to sleep that we’re out as soon as our heads hit the pillow. Reaper and Hunter and our two other remaining brothers have had it worse. They only have a month before the final test.

They have to prove themselves in the wilderness.

Hunter nudges my shoulder with his, forcing me to tear my eyes from the circle. “Ready to get your ass kicked, shrimp?”

I dig my elbow into his ribs. I’m far from a shrimp. I grew almost three inches this past year and am now an inch taller than Viper, though Fallon keeps saying only Breaker will manage to get as tall as Reaper and Hunter.

“I’m ready to kick your ass,” I tell him, returning my gaze to the circle where Reaper fights with Seeker one on one.

Hand to hand combat training is my least favorite, although I am good at it. I’m fast and have even taken Viper down several times.

“Bet you can’t take him down.” Hunter points to Raid. My eyes move to the large boy, sitting on the bleachers at the back of the yard, his blonde hair shaved, gleaming like rabbit fur in the sunlight.

I don’t really know him well. He’s older, closer to Hunter and Reaper’s age, quiet and sits alone a lot, not interacting with us much. Raid never has. He is fast though and stupid strong, with a mean streak that makes Viper seem sweet.

I glance at Hunter. “You know damn well you and Reap are the only ones whomaybe able to take him down. And that’s a big maybe.”

He winks. “Wanna make a bet?”

I shake my head. “No. You’ll lose and look like an asshole with a broken nose in front of everyone.”

Hunter’s laughter makes my stomach flicker weirdly.

“How about this,” he says, turning to face me. His lip curls into a grin as he looks down at me. “If I win, you have to give me your lunch for a week. If he takes me down to the dirt, I’ll give you my lunch.”

“I don’t want your lunch.” And I don’t want him in the circle with Raid. He turns vicious the second he enters the circle. That’s why no one wants to train with him. As big as Hunter is, he’s still not as largely built as Raid.

Hunter grips me by the back of my neck. My breathing stops as he squeezes. When he lets me go, he steps forward and points at Raid. “You!” he calls.

Raid’s gaze lifts from the circle and land on Hunter as he approaches. My gut twists when he stops next to the bleachers, and he braces a black boot on the bottom step. I can’t hear them, but I see Raid’s gaze move from Hunter to the circle.

Reaper and Seeker have stopped sparring and stand with arms crossed listening to whatever Hunter’s saying.

Idiot. He’s going to get the shit beaten out of him.

Raid stands and stretches, muscles flexing in his chest. Hunter is solid, broad chested, and muscular, but he’s got nothing on Raid. Fallon always says Hunter and Reaper are going to be his largest, meanest sons when they’re full adults. It’s easy to see why, but they’re only nineteen.

“Is he crazy?” I turn just as Viper comes up to stand next to me. His auburn hair looks streaked with red in the afternoon light. He doesn’t shave his head like Reaper and Hunter andkeeps it a little too long. The others tease him, saying he has hair like a girl, but I like it. It reminds me of burning embers or a waterfall of fire curling around his ears. His eyes meet mine. “He’s going to get his ass kicked and Reap will have to save him.”

Taking a deep breath, I face the circle again, dread climbing up my arms as Hunter and Raid enter the walled-in pit. It rained last night, so it’s just mud now, but usually the circle is hard packed dirt that hurts like hell when you land. At least when Raid drops Hunter, the mud will help break his fall.

“Fucking dumbass,” Viper says. He sounds like Cook, cursing every chance he gets whenever Father isn’t around.

Reaper shakes his head, but hops out of the pit, casting a warning look over his shoulder at Hunter as he walks toward us. If Raid doesn’t take him down, Reaper may.

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