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He looks up from where he’s taking two helmets from the storage compartment beneath the seat and grins at me, thinking I’m joking. To an extent, I am, but my fear is very real. He must notice the strain in my smile, though, because he straightens, all humour disappearing.
“I won’t let you fall, Laelia.”
Slowly, as though he’s trying not to spook me, he walks closer, only stopping when he’s so near I have to crane my neck up to look at him. He stares down at me, his pupils dilating at whatever he sees written in my expression.
“Do you trust me?” he asks, his voice huskier than usual.
Suddenly unable to find my words, I nod, a little blown away by the smile he gives me, which is how, a few minutes later, I find myself on the back of the motorbike, helmet firmly on and my arms wrapped tightly around him. It rumbles beneath us, and he shouts something back at me, but I don’t catch it as he revs the engine. I don’t have time to ask him to repeat himself, because the bike suddenly leaps forward, and we’re speeding through the streets.
Terrified, I squeeze my eyes shut, holding onto him so tightly that it must hurt. However, when we don’t crash into a ball of flames, I slowly open my eyes and take in the tree-lined roads we travel down. He’s taking one of the outer roads that lead out of the city, and as soon as we cross the town limits, I feel a huge weight lift from my shoulders. Excitement sparks in my stomach, especially as he revs the engine again and we speed forward even faster. We’ll have to go back soon so we’re not hunted down and killed for abandoning the trials, but for this moment, we can enjoy the feeling of freedom.
I could learn to love this, I realise. I feel safe with Scott, and although we’re going fast, he’s not taking any risks. It’s exhilarating, and my fear melts away. Star is doing somersaults in my chest, wanting to be free. Her excitement mirrors mine, so I close my eyes for a moment and reach out to her. Leaping from my chest in a flurry of stardust, she forms beside us, running as fast as she can next to us.
Scott spots her, and although I can’t hear him, I can feel him laughing. He slows the bike a little so she can keep up, and we ride with her racing alongside us. I throw my head back as the sun finally sets and the moon rises. It comforts me in a way I’ve never understood. There’s a strength in the moon, some sort of lunar magic that fills the world. I always thought I could feel it because I was a werewolf, but having spoken to my pack over the years, I found that’s not the case. They feel a pull towards the moon, but nothing like what I feel.
However, I’ve never let that stop me from enjoying it, and as I open myself to it and allow the moonlight to flood into me, I’ve never felt more powerful.
ChapterSeven
Jogging through the seemingly endless brick passages, I curse the creativity of whoever designed the trials. Huge walls tower above me, blocking out the sun as I come to a crossroads. My chest heaves as I suck in great lungfuls of air, trying to decide which route to take as I contemplate how my life has turned out like this.
I’m in a fucking maze.
After being abruptly woken up by a bang on the door at five this morning, I climbed out of Joel’s arms and was ushered away by armed guards. Having had something similar happen only days before, I knew I just needed to follow them. Any questions I’d ask would be ignored, and there was no point trying to fight it. I said my goodbyes to my mate and was taken to the same small cubicles from the previous trials. When the smoke came hissing into the room, I tried to keep a damper on my panic, leaning against the wall as unconsciousness took me.
When I woke up, I was here, in the maze, and completely alone. As before, an announcement had been made informing us of our task. From the little information we were given, I understand the maze is made up of five different areas, each containing a different environment and threat. We’re to work our way through the maze, completing the puzzles that block our path. Again, like the scavenger hunt, we have to make our way to the middle, but before then, we have to face a challenge that has been designed especially for us. We’re to work alone for this trial, and anyone who survives and gets to the centre before an hour is up goes through to the next trial. Simple right?
Oh, and the walls of the maze move every ten minutes.
Seeing as I was one of the ten who finished first in the last trial, we were able to start a full ten minutes before everyone else. In theory, it gives us an advantage, but as the ground starts to shake beneath me, I know I need to decide on which route I’m going to take. Following my instincts, I dart forward and choose the passageway directly opposite.
I get through just in time as a wall shifts and slams across behind me. Glancing over my shoulder, I see a solid brick wall at my back. If I was caught, it would have crushed me, and if I hesitated any longer, this path would have been blocked. Hoping I’ve made the right choice, I wipe my sweaty, shaking palms on my leggings and begin jogging slowly down the path.
I can’t believe that ten minutes have passed already. I’ve not yet seen anyone, nor come across any challenges. However, now the walls have all moved, so I have no idea where I’m going. Cursing again, I look up at the towering wall and take a running leap, scrabbling up until I manage to grip the top and haul myself up. Perched on the top, I glance around, and my jaw drops at what I see.
The maze isn’t circular like I expected, nor is it square. Instead, it’s a twisting mass of passageways. From here, I can see the different areas, and my knees feel weak at the challenge ahead of me. The beacon in the middle of the maze, but I have no idea how I’m going to get to it. At some point, I’m going to come across a challenge that’s been designed especially for me, an idea that terrifies me. I push that thought aside, choosing not to think too far ahead, otherwise I’ll become overwhelmed.
Taking a deep breath, I focus on the five separate environments within the maze. I hadn’t been sure what they meant when they explained this part of the trial, but from up here, it’s clear.
I’m in a bricked area, and to my left is what looks like walls of vines. From the snapping sounds followed by muffled screams, I’d bet they are enchanted to ensnare champions. To my right is what looks like a desert, with walls of sand creating the passages. Of the two areas farthest from me, one seems like it has a river of fire running through the centre, and one is entirely covered by clouds, with water tumbling down and flashing occasionally as lightning strikes.
It seems like I’m in the easiest area, and that makes me nervous. The council wants me to fail, so why put me here? There has to be something about this area that makes it more challenging, something far more dangerous than lightning, snapping vines, and rivers of fire.
You were told you’d be given an advantage for finishing in one of the top spots. Take it for the positive it is and get a move on, I berate myself. Only, I can’t quiet the voice in the back of my mind that tells me to be on my guard. This is the council, and I’ve seen what they are like first-hand.
I have no idea where Nicolai, Scott, Syn, or Joel are. The pull in my chest is suspiciously quiet, which means there’s probably some sort of dampener over us once again. As with the last trial, I’m sure we’ve been completely separated and placed at opposite ends of the maze.
Climbing down from the top of the wall, I contemplate how different the last few days have been. Yesterday had been such a great day. The only issue was that I hadn’t been allowed to see Nicolai when I got back to the compound. Apparently, they’d decided to keep him in the healers’ quarters for another night to ensure he got enough rest to make it through the next trial. Something doesn’t feel right, but there’s nothing I can do about it. I was assured that he’d be taking part today, so my plan is to track him down and get us both through this.
Without the bond, I feel restless, like I’m missing a part of myself, and I know it won’t be the same until I find Joel. However, this maze is huge, and without the bond to guide me to him, the chances of finding him are slim, which means I can’t rely on him or any of the others.
Find Nicolai, get to the centre.
Now that I know the rest of the champions are loose in the maze, I’ll probably bump into someone at some point, especially as it feels like I’m just running in circles. Needing someone to watch my back, I release Star, and I instantly feel more confident with her running at my side.
We continue through the brick maze, heading towards the centre, when I get the feeling I’m being watched. Slowing to a stop, I look around, searching for the source. We’re in one long passageway, and I can’t see anyone in front or behind us. Glancing up, I see no one. Why are my instincts screaming at me? Even Star senses something, her ears back and hackles raised.
I won’t lie, I’m freaked out. I swear I’m being watched, but I seem to be the only one around. Not wanting to hang around any longer, I turn and continue in the direction I’d been heading when a flash of movement catches my eye.
