Page 106 of Silver Elite

The conundrum sticks with me into our afternoon sparring sessions. I sit on the floor watching but not really seeing as Lyddie and Bryce exchange jabs on the mats.

This is what I know. I know Cross Redden won’t cut me from the Program, no matter how low my scores are.

I know I don’t want to go to the stockade again.

I know it will take more than a few hours to execute a foolproof escape plan.

My only move here is to force Cross’s hand. Do something that will remove myself from the equation—today—without making it appear like I planned it.

Every trap can be escaped. It’s just a matter of what lengths you’re willing to go to.

I suddenly hear Wolf’s voice in my head. I haven’t thought about that discussion in weeks. Now, as my oldest friend’s words replay through my mind, I see a solution in my grasp.

I’m not the horned bear.

I’m the white coyote.

“Darlington. Farren. Take the mat.”

My head lifts at Ford’s command. Kess is beaming like she’s just been granted a leisure pass to a civilian beach. We haven’t sparred since the morning I broke her nose during our unofficial mess hall match.

“Kess looks feral,” Lyddie whispers as I hop to my feet.

She’s not wrong. Our fellow is all but salivating at the chance to hit me again.

I take a breath. Rotate my shoulders and bounce on the balls of my feet, loosening myself up.

The air thickens with anticipation as Kess and I step onto the mat. Her gaze is fierce, exuding confidence.

“Been wanting this for a while, Darlington.” She bares her teeth. “It’s kept me up at night.”

I smile at her. “That’s really sweet that you think about me in your spare time.”

“Shut up and fight,” Ford says, rolling his eyes.

Kess is on me from the jump. She’s a good opponent. Fast. Ruthless. Her fists fly like arrows, each strike calculated and precise. If I didn’t hate her guts, I might enjoy sparring with her. And if I didn’thave a firm objective right now, I might smash her face in, and with pleasure. But single-minded purpose guides my every move.

Sweat beads on my forehead as I block her blows. Only some of them; I let the others land because that’s the precedent I’ve set since I arrived here. Each half-hearted strike of mine is met with a deadly counter from her, each dodge followed by a feint. Our breathing grows heavier.

Time to end this.

Chew the leg off.

With a sudden burst of adrenaline, I allow her fist to slam into my abdomen. Then I let the momentum knock me off-balance, and the second she has me on the ground, I twist my body, maneuvering myself into a vulnerable position.

“Protect your flank,” I hear Ford snap.

“Get your arm out from under yourself,” Kaine is shouting at me.

Too late.

In one swift motion, Kess is on top of me, her knees pinning my left forearm. I move my hand to the side, twisting my wrist, then use my other hand to claw at her thighs, all but inviting her to press her knees harder against me. I feel the sickening snap of bone as I force my wrist to bend at an unnatural angle.

Agony.

Searing, white-hot agony. It shoots through every nerve ending in my body.

I hear shocked gasps. Kess doesn’t let up until Ford forcibly pulls her off me. “You broke bones, Farren. You’re done. You win.”

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