Uninterested in engaging in a stare-out, I looked away as I straightened and pulled my water pouch from the pocket of my breeches. I tugged the pouch open and drained the contents with a series of short sips, needing to feel the cool liquid slip down my raw throat.
Having gone through weeks of Xalbia ordeals with me, my pouch was so battered it was a wonder there were no holes in it. It had done me proud for sure.
From the corner of my eye, I noticed Talon conjure a leather skin sack full of water—it was how we were all able to refill the pouches.
I hoped he didn’t also start conjuring weapons. See, we didn’t just trek or jogin such hellish terrains anymore. Once out here, we were usually given weaponry and ordered to defend ourselves against officiates. Bows, swords, daggers, maces—you name it, we’d used it.
Of course, Talon and the Marshalls waited until we were not only drained but midway through a break before springing this on us.
That they had us duel with people we couldneverdefeat in environments where we felt unsafe at times we were exhausted and somewhere along the spectrum from roasting hot to freezing cold … it was all part of pushing us. Tiring us further. Eating at our morale. Beating us down to see how we handled it. And, in doing all that, drawing out the person we were deep inside, just as Ajax had warned.
Hearing a plop, I glanced over to see something move in the water. Probably an alligator or crocodile. Those things were the freaking kings here.
Dodging the moss that draped from a tree branch, Quillen made his way to Talon and took the conjured leather skin sack. The Lykaon then arched a brow at me as he stepped closer. “You need a refill?”
I swiped at the trickles of sweat that rolled down my face. The moisture stung my palm, which was scratched to shit from having to climb through deadfall. “Like I need air,” I said, holding up my empty pouch. My nose wrinkled as I spotted something. “Uh, you’ve got a leech on you.”
His brows snapping together, he tracked my gaze to his upper arm. “Shit.” He reached down, snatched it from his skin, and then tossed it far behind him. “They’re everywhere here.”
I smiled in thanks when he tipped water into my pouch.
“As are snakes, but we won’t talk about that,” he added, his eyes lit with mirth.
I narrowed my eyes. “You just did.”
“I don’t know why they bother you. Is it because they have fangs? Venom? An unblinking stare? Or is—”
“Stop.” He knew itallbothered me; was only listing it to mess with me.
He chuckled. “I like them.”
“That’s your damage to deal with.”
Talon stepped between us, his jaw hard, stiffly urged the Lykaon to move along.
Quillen gave him an appeasing look, his lips quirking. “All right, I’m going,” he mouthed before striding away.
I didn’t look at Talon as I quietly admonished, “That was rude.”
AnI don’t give a shitgrunt slipped out of him.
Feeling the heat of someone’s attention, I glanced to my left. Ajax stood not far away, his speculative gaze sliding from me to Talon and back again. Choosing to ignore it—just as I’d ignored when Ajax had watched Talon and I closely during our last few breaks—I downed more of my drink.
“What the hell is your problem?” grated Bevan.
I whipped my head to the side, frowning.
Atticus, who was almost toe-to-toe with him, replied, “Myproblemis that my own cousin barely talks to me these days. He’s always with his new friends. And when I invite him to come have drinks with me at the tavern, he’s busy or tired or has some other excuse.”
I almost rolled my eyes. They’d had this conversation before. No matter how many times Bevan assured him that it wasn’t personal, that he hadn’t purposely detached himself from his cousin, Atticus never believed him. Probably because he knew that Bevan was lying.
Everyoneknew that he was lying.
Bevan had pulled away from his cousin so as not to be associated with any trouble Atticus might cause—it was obvious. But instead of just accepting the situation, Atticus pushed and pushed him; wanting Bevan to confess it.
“Would you stop acting like I’m snubbing you,” groused Bevan. “Countless times I’ve waved you over to my table when we’re at the tavern. You don’t join me.”
“Because you’re with all your new friends,” Atticus bit out, his expression tight.
