With our attention pointed at him, Sawyer continued. “Don't use your magic unless you have to. Preserve your energy. You’ll get a choice between a sword and a dagger. I know you don't have much experience with it, but pick the sword.”
“Don't be afraid to get some blood on your hands. Do what you have to do to stay alive.”
Everyone's head shot around at the sound of Sebastian's voice, except for mine.
Pia won her first trial.
I lost mine.
I lost my second trial, too.
And my third. I was too weak. Too sick.
I hadn't used my magic at all. I wanted to preserve my energy for when I really needed it like Sawyer said. I also didn't want anyone to see how weak I was, but that had already backfired.
There were twenty of us left. If I lost this next battle, I would be in the bottom ten. Only one more loss away from my death.
“You're scaring me, Willawood,” Sawyer cautioned.
“Join the club.”
“What's going on with you? Stop being stubborn and use your damn magic. It's almost like youwantto die,” he replied.
“You said not to.”
“No. I said don’t use it unless you have to. And, uh, news flash, you have to.”
“He's right. If there's ever been a time to use it, it's now.”
With gritted teeth, I slowly spun on my heel to face Sebastian. “No shit.”
“Oh sorry. Did I scare you? I meant to approach with caution, I know you can be grumpy in the morning,” Sebastian’s sarcasm slivered off his tongue with his words.
“What do you want?”
Sebastian scoffed. “Can I have a word alone?”
Not seeing a choice, I stepped away with him.
After making sure no one could overhear us, Sebastian's tone lowered to one of concern. “What's going on? You could have won your first trial if you used your magic. Mind compulsion versus an earth wielder—they would have stood no chance.”
“Yeah, maybe I could have won. Or I could have passed out and blew my cover. I’m better off fighting with just my hands,” I retorted.
“Just do a simple command, make your opponent freeze in their tracks or some shit. I dunno. Anything!”
I blinked at him. Did he not see the way my muscles had atrophied? Or how I could hardly stand with him now without wobbling on my feet.
“I can’t,” I said under my breath, not needing to elaborate any further.
“This is exactly why I should be training you. You wouldn't be so weak that you?—”
“Maeve Willawood and Deane Jursen, please make your way to mat four,” the announcer's voice cut through Sebastian’s.
“Gotta go.” I practically ran from him, then crouched alongside mat four, taking a few calming breaths in preparation to face my next opponent.
A hand grazed my shoulder, and I looked up, surprised at the company.
“You seem to be having a tough time today,” Lucan whispered to me.
