Page 70 of Phixmery

Rune’s commanding voice knocks me out of my assessment of the Lords. “Today they’ll be observing the trials, assessing that our training methods are up to par with their expectations.” His voice hardens on the word but his meaning is clear: do not make him look bad.

The three males who run Damorleia in the late Queen’s stead glower at us, daring us to move one toe out of line. The pressure of their stares is startling. The sheer power they wield sifts around us, searching for any form of weakness.

“As follows, your name will be called within ten minutes of each of your potential future faction members. You will be led to a location here on the mountain. If you survive your trial, you will join that faction. Let me be very clear: your faction choices are locked in and cannot be changed. Any attempt to run will face a death penalty and you will die a traitor. Good luck to you all. You’ll need it,” he finishes.

Moments later, the first five names are called.

So it begins.

One by one, I watch the training yard empty. Rozen gets called first, then Mel, and Ember, leaving Lennox, Gregor, Bracken and I as the only members of our squad left.

The sun is high in the sky when they call Bracken’s name. He grins and winks at me before bounding off towards the male who called him, who then leads him outside the battlements.

I’ve realized none of the trials are taking place within these walls. Rune and the Lords vanished not long after the names began to get called, taking their sons with them. A pang of anger for them hits me square in the chest. It’s obvious their fathers aren’t decent males. And for some reason I’m worried about what has happened to them before they came here.

“Are you doing okay?” Nero asks, breaking his silent sentry position on my shoulder.

I don’t dare move, even with my body cramping from holding this position all morning. “Fine, I just really don’t like those males, the Lords. I feel like I know them. Something doesn’t sit right with me.”

He shuffles on my shoulder. “Trust your gut. Hopefully by the time the day is done, we never have to see them again.”

I mentally nod. Nero is right. After today it won’t matter. We just need to get through our trial and then it’s done. I can go back to keeping my promise. Even as I say the words though, something uncomfortable shifts in my mind as a thought crosses it. I’ve kept that promise for so long… would she be mad if I tried to do something about it? To try to fix what is happening here in Damorleia?

Unfortunately I don’t get the chance to think about it because my name is called. I take a centering breath, and like the walk to the gallows, I follow the captain who came to fetch me for my trial.

AS WE APPROACH a massive opening in the cliff wall, a sinking feeling in my gut threatens to consume me. The feeling is confirmed when a resounding, ear-shattering roar comes from within the darkened cavern.

“Captain,” I stutter out. “Which trial is this?” I ask, needing to hear the words.

His brows narrow in confusion as he glances between me and the cave. “The Dragon Trials.” He motions to the five guards standing near the entrance and they position themselves behind me. “Are you running?” He asks, a grin growing on his face as I feel a blade press into the base of my spine.

My head shakes vehemently. “No Sir. I’m just making sure. I just thought I signed up for another trial…my mistake.” My stomach tightens and bile builds. The acidic taste coating my tongue and making saliva pool in my mouth as I try to hold back the vomit that is threatening to spew from my mouth.

He sighs and the blade is removed. “Fine. The trial is simple. Enter the cave and walk until you’re either chosen, or dead. Good luck, Cadet.” He eyes me with disdain. “You’re going to need it.”

A hand shoves me towards the cave and I nearly face-plant, causing Nero to squawk in distress. “How did this happen, Ravina? I watched you sign up for Infantry. This isn’t part of the plan.”

“I know that. But there’s nothing I can do. They’ll kill me if I even deviate from the path. You should take off, sit in a tree and wait for me to come out.” I pet him, trying to not let any more weakness show in front of the males following me to the mouth of the cave.

He bites my earlobe hard. “That’s for trying to send me away. You will need me in there. Now this may not be the plan, but you’re a fates-damn Gallalaus Fae, last of your bloodline. Now get your ass in there and kick some dragon butt,” he yells.

I nod. He’s right. If anyone can survive this, I can. Let’s just hope neither one of us are delusional or remember that the beasts in there will want to kill us.

I step through the cavern entrance, and for a few steps it’s eerily quiet other than the odd sounds of screaming in the distance ringing through the cave. I swallow. The plopping of dripping water and ground-shaking thuds echo ominously as I climb down the massive ledge, Nero guiding my way so I don’t slip as his vision is much better than mine.

As I drop to the ground, a massive green serpentine eye opens and I nearly scream.You’re not prey, don’t run. You’re not prey, don’t run.

The beast rises to its full height and roars so loudly I cover my ears. Time to go! I spin and hightail it through the cavern, dodging over boulders until I turn a corner. Touching the stone, I lean up against the wall and wrap it around me, hopefully hiding my scent from the massive black dragon on my trail. But after waiting several moments and hearing no earth-shaking steps following, I cautiously create a hole to peek out of.

Nothing.

What am I doing? I’m going to get myself killed and this is not how I want to die, for fate’s sake. When I’m out of here, I’m going to demand to see the lists. Someone must have forged my name last minute, because I triple checked and then Nero did too before I even wrote my name down. Someone wants me dead—that much is obvious—and I can think of two females off the top of my head who are at the top of that list.

Hesitantly, I remove my stone covering and cautiously make my way through the cave when a plan begins to form. I just need to find the passage from the den to under the castle. I’ll hide there until the others come and then we all leave. The guards will think I was dead anyway. It’s perfect.

With renewed energy I begin my search, but with every minute I’m in here and there’s no dragon to be seen, the higher my hair stands on end.

Suddenly, hands grab me, spinning me and covering my mouth. My eyes widen in surprise and then my gut drops anger as I realize it’s Bracken.

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