Page 45 of Phixmery

“Yeah, I understand. But I really do like you, Ravina. I’m going to earn your trust. You’ll see.” His bright smile returns as he jogs ahead with energy I wish I had, his blond locks swaying behind him.

The rest of the trip goes smoothly, and me and the earth Elemis make steps in the giant cliff face for everyone to get down safely. A few freshly splattered bodies lay broken at the bottom, and thankfully I don’t recognize any of their faces.

When we finally arrive back at the castle, I want to collapse to the ground with exhaustion, but the thought of getting clean and filling up with warm food before debriefing in the training yard keeps me going.

As we get up to the Squad Four chambers, the first thing I do is head over to my bed and collapse on it. Evera and Spade aren’t here; I wonder if they made it back to Phixmery yet.

“Cadet Solace,” a male voice sounds from behind me, and I jolt up to see Sergeant Driscol’s massive frame standing in the doorway. “You and your squad are to head down to Major General Rune’s office about a situation that took place during your trial,” he grumbles, his gaze darting between Nero and me with rage and confusion.

“Yes Sergeant,” I reply and he grunts, practically running away from our chambers. I turn to the others: Ember, Rozen, Melissandre, Lennox, Bracken, Gregor and Bren Hayes. “I’m sorry you’re all being dragged into this mess.” I rub the bridge of my nose in frustration. The Banshees must have got back before us.

Rozen shrugs. “We were tired of all their drama anyway. At least now we can truly become a squad and help each other with our Choosing trials.”

“What he said,” Lennox nods. “But we should get this over with. I’m starving, and my sister’s stomach is louder than mine, and I don’t want to deal with her when she’s hungry,” he rags on, earning a punch to the arm from Mel. “See,” he mouths.

We shake our heads in exhausted amusement, a few of us letting out yawns before heading back down through the castle, hoping that this is the last of the Banshee problems.

WHAT'S LEFT OF our squad ambles down to Rune’s office, practically dragging our feet with exhaustion. I’m annoyed we have to deal with this now, but I understand why it has to be done. What I did to them is—from what I’ve heard, never seeing it done myself—is one of the worst insults you can inflict upon another fae. Our delicately pointed ears are a symbol, something we take pride in, and I just lopped them off without a care. But they were trying to kill Nero. They were trying to kill me.

I have no remorse for what I’ve done. I’ve been patient, or at least as patient as I could be. I have no intentions of taking her chosen mate, despite what my traitorous body thinks, and I’ve made that clear more than once. Her insecurities are not my problem, and she doesn’t get to take them out on me. She should be speaking to her mate about it.

Nero is perched on my shoulder as usual, while Ember and Mel flank me, the rest of our squad trailing behind as we knock on the door.

“Enter,” a gruff voice says.

The door cracks open. We push through, and the first thing I notice is the view: the sun is fading below the peaks of the Dreki Mountains, casting a warm, orange glow across the muddied snow of the training yard below, evergreen trees as far as the eye can see. It’s picturesque—stunning.

As we approach the desk, I notice a smug Evera, Zoela and Cresida standing just behind him with a couple other Captains from our lessons, including Captains Reiner and Batsil. The Major’s arms are crossed, and the lines between his furrowed brows are prominent as he assesses our group.

“Cadet Solace, I’m assuming you know why you and your squad have been asked to join us?” he asks, his voice measured and slow.

I snap to attention as I stop a few paces away from him. “Yes Sir,” I state clearly, putting all my focus on him, because I know if I look their way, I’m not sure I’ll be able to rein in my anger.

“You understand that actions have consequences. And due to your lack of control, I have no choice but to put you on trial right now for crimes against Cadets Fellowes and Gannon—”

“I’m sorry Sir, but that’s not fair,” Ember snaps, attempting to cut him off.

“The punishment for the crime is death. Depending on the outcome, you may be allowed to choose how you perish.” He nods to Batsil who moves quickly to restrain me.

“Wait! I didn’t do whatever it is that they said,” I rush, feeling panic clutching at my chest. “They tried to kill Nero!”

Rune’s gaze snaps towards mine and then spins to face the females. “Did you?”

“No,” Evera states. “We would never do such a thing. We were just trying to sleep, and she jumped us. Mutilated our bodies. My father is furious. I’m supposed to be mated at the end of the year, and she wants my mate,” she cries, tears spilling down her pale face. “She’s jealous, and someone so unstable shouldn’t be allowed to join our ranks. Especially with what she did.”

My eye twitches. The assessment trials are a free-for-all. No one cares if cadets die during them, so why the hell is this being made into a bigger deal than it should be?

“Well it’s a good thing we are holding a trial for this, to figure out what actually happened,” Reiner adds, gifting me a small smile and a nod of encouragement.

Batsil sighs. “I have to admit, Major General Rune, Cadet Solace has been nothing but an upstanding Cadet who, considering her background, has excelled in all her lessons. This would be very out-of-character for her.”

Rune seems to ponder their words, his neck straining with frustration, like this wasn’t the outcome he wanted. “Tell me your side, Solace,” he states, staring me down.

I recount the incident that happened during the trials, Ember, Mel, Roz and Lennox filling in the gaps from when I was unconscious. When I finish, he taps his finger on his forearm like he’s debating on going through with the punishment anyway.

A knock sounds at the door. “Sir,” a rough voice grumbles through the wood. “A word.”

Sergeant Driscol opens the door on Rune’s command and the Major General sighs, rising to his feet “This isn’t over, just wait here.”

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