Page 108 of Riftborne
Nazul wrapped his arm around my back, and we set off again, rushing towards the door at the end of the room. My ribs ached, and I did my best to hold my core still, but gasps escaped me every time I took a step forward. The pain was back in full force. A testament to being alive.
We were reaching the end of the hall. Just a few more steps and we’d be in the control room. .
The vortex of whispers picked up behind us just as we bolted through the door.
My eyes slammed closed as the room lit up around us.
“Well done, recruits!” Lieutenant Mercer said as I fell to the ground, clutching my side.
What the fuck?
Suddenly, Raine was helping me up. I peeked at the room through my lashes. My vision caught a glimpse of copper hair in the corner.
Laryk.
His face was serious, stoic, but his eyes softened when they met mine. His jaw clenched as his eyes shifted down to my ribs.
I looked around to find a few officers, initiates and the rest of my recruit class.
The rest of team V that remained at the Compound was in the room.
“It wasn’t real,” Briar said from his seated position. He looked rough, gripping his ankle.
“Healers will be here soon to deal with any injuries,” Mercer said. “I’m pleased each one of you made it back here in the allotted time. I was beginning to worry about you two.” He tilted his head toward Nazul and I. “We didn’t take it easy on you either. You all proved yourself tonight.”
“All of that was an illusion?” Draven asked, looking around at the unfamiliar guards.
“Well, it was a combined effort. But essentially, yes. We used illusionists, levitation experts, and wind wielders. This seemed to be the most accurate simulation of the real threat.”
“But she failed,” a curse of a voice murmured, and Blood Clot stepped out from behind a few of the officers, and a coy smirk played at her lips.
There was nothing but hatred in her eyes.
“She’s clearly not ready for combat in the West. Unless you want her dead.” Narissa crossed her arms, moving her attention to Laryk and clearing her throat. “Which, in that case, let’s get her there immediately.”
“The goal was to make it to the control room,” Mercer said, stepping in her line of sight. “Fia made it here. It’s not a perfect experiment by any means, but teamwork is certainly a factor. And all of you showed strength in working together to overcome the threat. It was impressive to see.”
Narissa rolled her eyes, slithering back into the shadows.
Both anger and relief invaded me.
I wanted to scream.
I shot a narrowed glance at Laryk, who winked at me before stepping forward and clearing his throat. “I guess congratulations are in order. This wasn’t just any test. It was your last test. Welcome to the Guard, initiates.”
CHAPTER 38
“I swearupon this blade to guard our realm with courage, never to falter. As the serpents coil in vigilant watch, so shall I, protecting the realm’s heart, in the brightest of days and the darkest of nights. I pledge to defend our people, our lands, and our promise. Above all, I swear my loyalty to the Crown as I am now an extension of its iron shield. This oath I swear, bound by blood.” Our voices rang out in unison, echoing through the cavernous space of the Compound's social hall.
I looked down upon the emerald-encrusted set of daggers, taking a deep breath before turning the point against my hand, wincing as I made the small cut.
Each unit had been given special blades, ranging from scimitars to short swords, all bearing the emblem of Sídhe.
The blonde woman we’d seen during training, dressed in her emerald uniform, stepped in front of me, smiling. “Welcome to the Guard, Fia Riftborne.” Her voice was low and eloquent. She turned around, retrieving a vial from a man standing behind her, dressed in the same emerald hue.
“Your last blood oath,” she murmured, holding out my vial. Ithad so many little papers in it now, all dripping with blood that should have been dry but was somehow still as vibrant a crimson as the day it’d left my veins.
A part of me hesitated—one I hadn’t seen in a long time. A ghost from my old life, when fear controlled my every move. It still coursed through me, but it was different now. It was a healthy kind of fear, for the real threat on the Western border. But I wasn’t afraid to live. Or feel. Orexperience. Joining the Guard had never felt like my decision, not truly. Just like my focus erupting into madness had never felt like my decision. But so much had changed.
