Page 42 of Bound to Three Fae Beasts

Here, Lotmas gave her a razor-thin smile. “You will be dropped in the areas where there are the most dangers to prove your strength.”

Did that mean that there were more obstacles between them and us, the ones they wanted to kill? The whole bully group looked incredibly excited. Even Jasper kept grinning and bouncing on his feet. If the duels were their playground, this had to be their arena. They were allowed to kill. Lotmas talked about the rules—basically, don’t try to run away from the trial grounds or you’d be executed—and they muttered to each other.

I turned slightly, minimizing my profile. None of the bullies were scanning their fellow students, but then they wouldn’t need to. They already knew who they wanted to target.

Seb had used his sense of smell to track me down a few times. Would he find me in the trial, too? I took a deep breath, trying to push it from my head. I had plenty to worry about, but letting myself freeze up wasn’t going to save me.

“Remember, students, that killing your fellows will not result in automatic expulsion during the trials, but neither is it strictly encouraged,” Thatcher said, speaking for the first time. “Recall the state of the fae and the crisis we face. Do not let yourselves be too caught up in the bloodlust to forget that loyalty to our people comes first.”

We would be sent in at random times. Our names were drawn from a hat, which seemed to be a lousy way of doing it. Thatcher made a mark in the middle of the portal when the student came forward. It seemed there were four different marks, based on how powerful a student was.

As the first students were called, I turned to my friends, reaching out to them. I drew all of our hands together, wishing I could somehow shield them all.

It was a strange sensation to me, wanting to protect someone else. My gaze flicked over their faces, their wide eyes, the fear that lingered no matter how they tried to hide it. Even Freta’s normal cheerfulness was absent.

“When we’re done, we’ll steal some extra dessert from the kitchens to have tonight,” Silas told us.

I made myself smile and nod in agreement. “Remember how we’ve been training. We all have our potions and weapons. Freta, your beast is more powerful than people give you credit for. We might be dropped in separately, but we will celebrate together tonight.”

Freta grabbed my wrist, tugging me closer. “And if any of the golden boys attack you, give them hell.”

My throat closed over. She was in just as much danger, yet she was thinking of me. I hugged her, pulling her in tight, then tugged Penry and Silas into the embrace. We held each other tightly until Silas was called. He broke away, gave us a grin, and headed for the circle. He stepped in. Light enveloped him and he was gone.

Flora and Jasper were called through next. A while later, Penry was sent, and then Freta. Gareth, Red, and Savannah were sent one after the other. Seb headed in my direction, and I fought to hide my nerves.

He stopped next to me, folding his arms. “Shame our mentoring sessions will come to an end.”

“Oh, will they end?” I asked, trying to be nonchalant.

“Hard to keep them going when you’re dead.”

My heart stuttered. “Is that your way of saying you plan to track me down and kill me?”

Seb brushed my shoulder, cleaning off invisible lint. A strange echo of that spark I’d felt the first time we touched skin-to-skin made my shoulder tingle. And it wasn’t even direct contact this time. “Our kills are recorded and broadcast. Me, Gareth, and Jasper have a little bet. Whoever kills the most beasts wins. But killing weak creatures makes us lose points. And you … well, I’d lose all my points trying to target you.”

“Because I’m so weak.”

“Exactly. I don’t need to track you, Miss Azriel. The trial will do it for me.”

“Well. Then might I make a dying request of you, my lord?” I asked, sarcastically sweet.

His mouth twitched in displeasure. “Bold of you to make a request.”

I shrugged.

His mouth twitched again, but a sort of curiosity gleamed in his eyes. “What is it?”

“Name your first child with Flora after me.”

Seb’s eyes darkened. He opened his mouth, but Thatcher called my name at that moment. I strode forward, glad I’d gotten the final word. My body had gone beyond nerves now. It was preparing for pain, and my sense grew sharper. Thatcher drew a mark in the portal.

I hesitated before stepping in. Lotmas gestured for me, and I skirted around it.

“Miss Azriel,” he started.

“I’m going, I’m going,” I said over my shoulder as I jogged to the wall, where a spear hung. Lotmas made furious noise, but I ignored him as I plucked up the spear and jumped into the portal before he could stop me.

I stumbled as I landed on soft earth. My brain scrambled to catch up as my surroundings changed instantly. I was in the forest. The sun was bright overhead, lighting up everything with perfect clarity. It had been day when I stepped through the portal, so I wasn’t sure why I’d expected to be in the darkest night now.