Page 55 of Phixmery

Now the real torture begins again.

My squad ambles out to the training yard, and even though the weather is warming slightly, because of how far up in the Dreki Mountains we are, snow still lingers. I don’t mind the cold—love it even. But this warmer weather is a nice break from the frigid temperatures.

Bracken comes to stand beside me. “Hey Ravina. So I know I’ve been pushy and given off the worst impression, but we’re a squad. I really want to be friends, and I know I’ve been a coward when it came to how you were treated in Shalo,” he whispers. “But can we please start over? Gregor, Bren and I are going to the library later. Did you maybe want to join? You can bring the others, too, if they make you more comfortable.” He clears his throat looking nervous.

I glance back at Ember and Melissandre who shrug before turning back to him. My arms cross over my chest as I assess him. “How do I know I won’t regret this? I’m all for squad bonding, but I’m not looking for anything more than friends,” I remind him. We need to play nice. We will be out of here soon, I remind myself.

He places his hand on his chest. “I swear to the fates that unless you give me a sign, all I want is friendship too.”

I nod thoughtfully. “Why are you guys going to the library?” Maybe it would be a good idea to check out the doors to the restricted section and see how we’ll be able to get in there. Because as much as I don’t want to touch my Skuggi magick, having it lash out unexpectedly is worse.

His smile widens, making his pale eyes gleam. “We are going over the different factions to see where we would like to place in The Choosing. I’m partial to being a Gryphon Rider. Have you thought about which one you’re going for yet?”

I shake my head. No, but I do know that whichever is the easiest to survive is the one I’m taking. There’s no way I’m dying here.

“Well, I’m sure we can all figure it out. Does after dinner work?” he asks hesitantly.

“I’ll let you know when I talk to the others,” I respond, and he moves back toward Gregor, giving me a wide smile.

Ember and Melissandre are instantly at my side, peering down at me from their slightly taller heights. “Is everything okay?” the latter asks.

“I think so? We’ve been invited for a squad study session in the library tonight after supper.” I murmur to them. “He also apologized for everything, which is weird. Either way, I think this will give us the excuse we need to check out the library to scope out the restricted section.”

“I’ll let my brother know,” Mel murmurs back, nodding to Ember before heading over to the guys in our little band of misfits.

Ember studies me, but before she can say anything, I put my hand up. “I can handle him if he tries to step out of place. I just want to stick to our plan.”

“And what plan would that be, Cadet Solace?” Craven’s silky smooth voice interrupts.

I whirl towards him, my heart pounding in my chest to see him standing behind me, arms crossed and a suspicious glint to his narrowed eyes. “The plan to go to the library tonight to figure out which faction we want to choose for The Choosing, Sergeant,” I state, snapping to attention.

He hums, watching my face, and I can feel my nerves getting to me.

“Why are you nervous, Cadet? Are you lying about something?” He sniffs dramatically, baring his pointed teeth. “You reek ofsecrets.”

I fight to get my emotions under control. “No, Sergeant. To be honest, you startled me. What I said was the truth.” And it is, but the intense way he’s staring at me makes me go back over the conversation. There’s nothing there that could incriminate me… is there?

“Hmmph.” He glances at the rest of my squad. “Everyone to the armory. Today we are training with swords.” His eyes dart back to me. “You’re with me today, Solace. Let’s see if you’ve gotten any better at payingattentionto yoursurroundings.”

I swallow.

Something isn’t right.

I glance up to where Nero is perched, and I can feel his hesitancy to come down and stay close. Ember pulls me to her as we head across the yard to the battlements where the armory is located.

“What was that about?” she asks, being careful not to move her lips and to keep her voice down.

Not wanting to respond or talk about it here, I shake my head in response and plead silently with my eyes. “Later.”

She nods and we hurry to catch up with the others.

By the time we’ve signed out our weapons—a weapon that seems far too large for me—we are back in our usual training area.

I place the blade of my sword on the ground, waiting for instruction, when Ember hisses and shakes her head, motioning to her blade in her hand.

“What—”

“Cadet Solace!” Craven snaps. “Why is your blade on the ground? Hand it to Yearwood, drop and give me fifty.” He storms over to me, a look of frustration and anger etched into his chiseled jaw, clenching with every step.

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