Page 100 of Tempest Blazing
We helped one more injured applicant—a young vampire who'd been left for dead by his own team. After I healed his wounds, he looked at the two of us for a long moment, then shook his head and walked away from the arena entirely. "I'm done with this," he muttered. "There are better ways to prove yourself."
Only Anya remained with me. The two of us moved through the ongoing combat like a quiet procession, no longer interested in flags or points or the games others played.
Around us, the final scramble continued—teams clashing over the last unclaimed flags, others defending their hoards with renewed ferocity. The arena had become a pressure cooker, everyone fighting until the very last second before the bell would sound.
We crested a final hill, and I could see the main arena below us. Dragons circled overhead, their massive forms casting shadows across the battlefield. In the stands, the Supe factions watched and waited, probably placing final bets on who would emerge victorious.
A flash of movement caught my eye—a lone applicant, bloodied and desperate, making one last grab for a flag that would push them into the qualifying ranks. They fought with everything they had, clawing their way toward a prize that might change their entire future.
For a moment, doubt crept in. What was I doing? What had I given up? That could be me down there, fighting for my place, proving I belonged—
But then the warmth in my chest pulsed again, steady and sure, and the chaotic noise of the arena faded to a distant hum. My breathing slowed, deepened. The fire spread through my limbs like liquid gold, filling me with a certainty that had nothing to do with points or rankings or anyone else's approval.
"They're watching us," Anya murmured beside me.
She was right. I could feel the weight of their attention, the way conversations had stopped and heads had turned. Not toward the teams still fighting for flags, but toward our quiet procession.
"Let them watch," I said.
Anya moved up closer, her voice dropping to match mine. "You know this won't count for anything, right? Points, rankings, official recognition. We're not playing their game anymore."
"Good," I said. "Their game was rigged anyway."
She laughed—a real laugh, bright and surprised. "You know what? You're right."
A deep, resonant bell suddenly rang out across the arena, its tone cutting through all other sounds. Once. Twice. Three times.
The trial was over.
Around us, the remaining combatants froze mid-motion. Spells fizzled out. Weapons lowered. The sudden stillness after hours of chaos felt almost surreal.
The dragons above us called out, their voices echoing across the arena. Not the harsh cries of battle, but something else. Something that sounded almost like... approval?
Chapter 41
Tess
Silvius's voice crashed across the arena, magically amplified to reach every corner. "All applicants will now gather with their assigned teams in the central arena for final evaluation."
Falling into line with my teammates felt like walking to an execution. The space between us yawned wide, all those watching eyes making my skin feel stripped raw.
Lord Protector Silvius rose from his seat on the highest tier of the Guild platform, the crowd packed tight on every level—Supe leaders, Guild officials, all of them waiting for blood. "Applicants, the Final Guild Trial is now complete."
Silence fell. Silvius consulted a glowing tablet that materialized in his hands. "The results of today's trial will be announced by team ranking, followed by individual scores."
My stomach twisted into knots. Dragons called overhead, their voices carrying notes I couldn't interpret but that made something deep in my chest ache.
The scores came in waves—Team One with Draven earning a solid eighty-three points, relief flooding through me so hard I almost stumbled. At least he was safe. At least he'd get his shot. Team Two with Kane at ninety-one points, my heart doing this stupid flutter. He'd made it through. They both had.
When Team Four was called with Mason's name ringing out at eighty-one points, something fierce and protective roared to life in my chest. My mate—passing, succeeding, earning his chance to bond a dragon. The thought sent warmth cascading through our bond even as my own dread spiraled higher.
Team after team, respectable scores that built my anxiety higher.
"Team Five," Silvius's voice sliced through the air. "Team score: First place. Individual scores: Selena Nightshade, eighty-nine points. Valen Beaumont, eighty-seven points..."
First place. Of course. Bitter taste flooded my mouth even as part of me acknowledged their skill. Selena and Valen—both passing with flying colors while I...
My chest tightened with each announcement. I'd known this was coming—had made peace with sacrificing my score to help others. But watching people who'd stepped over others to get ahead sail through while I...
