Page 6 of Enchanted Shadows
“Day one and already I’m being fed to the wolves,” Zara deadpanned.
I laughed. They truly all were. We had a long way to go, but day one was off and running.
CHAPTER 3
Three days.
The women were all sore now. There were a few instances of snapping at one another, but for the most part, they were powering through. The good news was that on the second day after making those who were late run extra, they had all been on time today.
My favorite part of the day wasn’t the morning run where there was just too much grumbling, but rather the end of the day, when we came together as a team and those who were Enchanted practiced with their powers. We also talked about the non-Enchanted strengths and weaknesses and had them practicing as well.
I had been right about Sam. She wasn’t Enchanted, but she was intelligent as hell. Almost an Enchantment in and of itself. She was a force to be reckoned with, if only she would believe it.
I watched as Fern dunked one hand into the bucket and funneled the water into a tight beam, shooting it toward a target. This water Enchantment stuff was fun, but also limited. Fern was an incredible asset to the team, but only if she was near water.When I had asked her that first day, she said she could only wield as much as she had access to. So if we wanted her to be at full power, she’d need to be standing in a large volume of it. She also explained that in Brakken they willed the water to return back to its original source once they were done with it. As to not empty large sources of water.
Not a single team in Wylan had a water wielder on hand, so I was more than intrigued by what Fern brought to the table. I was already thinking up ways to keep water on her person.
Right on time, a mere three days in, leadership seemed to be establishing itself, as it always did. Jessina and Vivian seemed to be vying for the head spot. Usually, one of the leaders of the training team became a lieutenant. And more often than not, the lieutenant was Enchanted, even if non-Enchanted people could now train with the rest of us. They were just better able to keep the other Enchanted in line.
I watched Jessina dodge the rubber weighted barrels Wren was sending at her and was mildly impressed. She could lead them. Hell, Jorah had led us all long before she was Enchanted, and it had ended up more than fine.
I did a quick count. We were down one. Tate. Had she just gone to the bathroom or something? I hadn’t lost a woman yet. It was a bit hard to when they were so damn chatty all the time. Which in this case was not sexist, just factual.
“Hold up,” I barked, stilling all of them in various stages of training. As soon as I had their attention, I asked, “Where’s Tate?”
“She left,” Vivian provided.
“For the day? Thought she’d skip?” I took one step toward the barracks. I would pull her out here myself if I had to. We were done when I said we were.
“No,” Molly offered. “Not for the day.”
I turned back, and my eyes naturally landed on my sister. Iknew I could get her to tell me anything. “Would someone just tell me?”
Wren gave me a smile dipped in mockery. “She quit.”
“She quit?” I had been a little surprised no one quit on day two. But look at us, we’d made it to day three. But if someone was going to quit, I thought they’d skip out on the morning physical training. Not the end of the day.
“I believe the last time you barked at her topick it updid her in,” Wren added.
There were a few phrases that I was beginning to use on repeat, but dammit if they didn’t need to hear them.Move. Hustle. Let’s go.
“I do believe she was more interested in your sword skills anyway, brother.”
I let her slip up and call me her brother only because I had to ask, “My sword skills?”
My sister sent me a real smile this time. “Your personal sword, General.”
My wha—oh.I ran a hand down my face as the women broke into giggles.“Wren.”
“What? You asked for an explanation. Which I gave. She was interested in you, General Raikes. And it was clear that after three days of yelling at us, you were not the cuddly bear she thought you were. Her fantasy had shattered.”
She’d used the bear reference on purpose. The form my magic took on. “Does anyone else want to leave since we have established that I am not here to flirt with? This is not an Assemblage.”
I paused, letting the weight of the words settle in.
“I amnothere to find a wife,” I reiterated.
“No, but you are here to teach.”
