Page 147 of Vicious Princess
When Daegel steps forwards and unrolls his parchment, my lungs cease breathing. With each name he reads out loud, my head becomes lighter.
It takes a moment for me to realize my name wasn’t called by either of the last two Ezkai.
The ground under my feet shifts.
I think I may throw up.
That can’t be.
“Today we have an unusual occurrence,” the General says. I manage to gather myself and shift my focus to him. “In very rare cases, the units don’t agree on who gets to extend an invitation to a cadet because the cadet is wanted by more than one unit. That is the case today.”
I perk up.No way.
When the General’s gaze slides over the crowd and lands on me, I again think I may throw up. For a totally different reason.
“Cadet Wildarrow, please step forwards.”
Every pair of eyes turns to watch me leave the formation and walk to stand in front of the General and the Ezkai flanking him.
Ezkai Cassandra is the first to speak. “Cadet Wildarrow, the Protector Unit chooses you.”
A murmur goes through the crowd of cadets behind me.
Next is Ezkai Xander. “Cadet Wildarrow, the Spy Unit chooses you.”
The chatter gets louder.
Daegel’s eyes meet mine. “Cadet Wildarrow, the Executioner Unit chooses you.”
The whole space is lost in the uproar between the cadets and Ezkai until the General raises his hand in the air.
“Three units have extended an invitation to you, Cadet Wildarrow. The choice is yours,” he tells me.
I can’t believe this is happening.
Three Units chose me.
Three.
The backs of my eyes burn.
I blink back the tears. I wish with my whole heart that Mom and Dad were here to witness this moment.
The choice is obvious to me. I don’t even have to think twice.
“I choose the Executioner Unit, sir,” I say.
The General dips his chin in silent acknowledgment.
There’s a long beat of silence.
Roman’s cheer shatters it, and others join him, too.
My feet move forwards of their own accord. I take my place with the Executioner Unit.
Myunit.
“Thank you for your sacrifice to those who didn’t make it,” the General says. Then he turns to face the Ezkai, which now includes me. “Congratulations again to those who did. Don’t get too comfortable yet, Ezkai—it’s time for your official initiation into the ranks. Follow your unit representatives.”
