Page 30 of Trivium

“Failed last year.”

“Don’t they kick you out if you fail? Banish you from the Academy? Ruin your family name?”

“I had a good reason.”

“What kind of a reason?”

“None of your business.”

Professor Hashiluna paced in the center of the room, explaining the makeup of plant magic, her stern voice coming in and out of Zeina’s thoughts.

A few moments later, Zeina broke the silence to whisper, “Why is Alchemy in here?” It was the only reason she had been seen. “What’s wrong with the Apothecary?”

He shifted to face her. “What’s with all the questions? Don’t you want to pay attention to the professor?”

Zeina couldn’t help it. She had barely spoken a single word since she arrived at the Academy almost two weeks ago. She wanted to know, no, needed to know what was happening around her if she was going to stay safe and protect her real identity. It had only been a fortnight, and she had already found herself in a less-than-ideal situation. But he was right—Ahmina would be paying attention. She shifted her gaze to the professor.

She could feel him eyeing her up and down, like he couldn’t quite figure her out. “Break in,” he finally answered in her ear.

“A student?” she whispered, keeping her eyes forward.

“Why would a student break in? No.” He shook his head lightly. “A creature.”

Professor Hashiluna stopped and turned towards them. “Lennox and Ahmina, am I interrupting an important conversation?”

Every eye turned to Zeina, who sat frozen. Too afraid of being exposed, she stared straight ahead, keeping her attention on the professor.

Lennox sat up in his seat, tossing his dagger in his hand. “No, professor. Carry on.”

Hashiluna glared at him for a moment before continuing the lesson. Zeina dared a quick glance around, relieved that everyone else had returned to normal. The entire classroom thought she was Ahmina without giving it a second thought. Which meant she really could pass as her. A little star of hope sparked to life inside of her. The ability to be so visible opened new doors for her. She could attend lectures as Ahmina.

Zeina stayed silent for the rest of the class. She didn’t want to push her luck.

21

AHMINA

Combat was held outside in the Aurorian Battlegrounds, which the Slayers had lovingly nicknamed “the Bloodring.”

The afternoon was exceptionally hot, the sun radiating down on them as they gathered for their lesson. They had been practicing solo and in small groups for the last week, trying out available weapons: daggers, swords, chakrams, archery, and trap-setting, or a combination of several. Regardless of specialty, they would choose a signature weapon. They were told to choose what they were most skilled at, but to her it seemed graduate Defenders were skilled at them all.

She had taken a keen interest in the chakrams. She liked the way the cold circular steel felt in her hands, and how smoothly they slid through the air, slicing their target. Unlike other weapons, they required a more intuitive throw—less about a straight shot and more about how they would dance and flow with the wind.

Now it was time for them to practice their skills on real people. Which, quite honestly, Ahmina had been dreading. She had never been athletic and had no instinct for fighting. Growing up, Rory was the quarrelsome one and would fight anyone who spoke ill of them. Once, as they were walking through downtown Jarrah, a group of boys called them scraps, a derogatory term for orphans. Rory threw rocks at their heads, nailing one directly in the eye, and they ran away screaming like small children. She and Rory laughed about it for hours after, their stomachs cramping in humorous delight.

Rory rocked forward on her toes, practically vibrating with excitement, while Ahmina shifted uneasily beside her. Even though they had been doing drills for weeks now, she was still panting by the end; she felt nowhere near ready for direct combat.

“One at a time. We’ll evaluate where you’re at and everyone can learn from your mistakes.” Professor Barrow tucked a strand of hair behind his ear. “Remember, creatures will use their magic on you first but knowing how to fight can save your life.”

“If we’re going to be fighting creatures, why are we practicing on humans?” another first-year student asked.

Barrow frowned like it was the most ignorant question in the world. “To build strength and agility. This shouldn’t be news to you. Unless you prefer to be thrown straight in with a Firebringer because that can be arranged.”

The boy shook his head quickly, and Barrow looked around, assessing who to pick as his first victim. Once again, his eyes lingered on hers for a second longer than everyone else’s. She offered a weak smile, hoping he wouldn’t choose her.

“Maeleena and Omega, you’re up”

“Ready?” she asked Rory, who stretched beside her. “Am I ready to fight a man double my size who looks like he could crush my skull in between his hands? Hell yeah,” Rory said through a smile.