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As soon as they see my glowing skin, though, they jerk away from me with fear in their huge eyes. They don’t swim away like I expect them to. Instead, they are completely transfixed like moths drawn to a flame. That huge rush of power moves through me again, and my arms raise without my permission as I make a pushing motion towards them. The rush of energy leaves through my hands and literally shoves the creatures away, blasting them into the darkness. Looking around to make sure they are not going to return, I notice that the creatures plaguing Scott have also been pushed away, and he’s now swimming to the surface.
Now that the danger is gone, the presence within me sinks back to the place where it resides, returning my body to me. I suddenly feel weak and realise how desperate for breath I am. Forcing myself to move, I kick my exhausted legs, my lungs aching as I finally burst through the surface of the water.
Relief floods through me as I let myself float, each painful ragged breath a blessing.
“Laelia,” Scott calls, sounding just as exhausted as I feel.
Rolling my head to the side, I see him swimming towards me. His face is covered in small scratches, and I notice a bite mark on his shoulder, but otherwise, he seems okay.
“Let’s go,” I rasp out weakly. “They might come back.” We share a look, and I know I couldn’t survive another submersion.
I slowly and painfully swim towards the island. Once I reach the bank, I don’t stop to rest, instead pulling myself up with aching arms, the thought of being in the water with those creatures giving me strength. Scott crawls up and rests on his hands and knees as he catches his breath.
Reaching into my back pocket, I pull out the ring, thankful I didn’t lose it in the attack. The pillar that ends the trial is almost within arm’s reach. We’re so close.
“Scott,” I call, extending my hand towards him.
Slowly, he lifts his head and sees my offering. After staring at it for a few long seconds, he reaches out and grasps it, linking our fingers as I help him stand. Together, we walk to the pillar and extend our hands. We share a look, and then wordlessly, we press our palms against the stone.
ChapterFour
The world goes black, and for a moment, everything ceases to exist. My body feels weightless, and the only thing telling me that I’m alive is Scott’s warm hand in mine. However, gravity soon returns, and I’m suddenly blinded by a bright light, landing with a jolt. Hissing, I raise my free hand to cover my eyes and flinch away from a loud roaring sound, my senses assaulted by the overload of stimuli. That’s when noise starts to filter in, and I realise it’s not roaring, but cheering and clapping.
Slowly, I open my eyes, wincing as I adjust to the light and glance around. We’re back in the clearing in the forest outside the council’s town, where it all began. We seem to be standing on a stage, our hands still raised from where we pressed them to the pillar. Somehow, we’ve been transported, and all of the packs are gathered before the stage, staring up at us, cheering and waving.
Slowly, I lower my hand, my heart pounding just as hard as it had been when we were in the water. Thank the goddess Scott’s here, because his steady touch helps to ground me, otherwise, I don’t know how I’d react. As it is, I want to shrink away from the crowd and pretend none of this is happening. I’m so exhausted, the last thing I want is to be paraded around, but I know I have to be strong—at least while others are around. I can fall apart once I get back to the safety of my room.
Scott and I are still holding hands, and neither of us make any move to let go as we stare out at the crowd. He looks just as stunned as I feel, neither of us knowing how to react.
A hush goes through the crowd. Confused, I automatically take a step back until I realise their attention has shifted and most of them are now looking at something above our heads. Glancing up, I see a large screen showing images from inside the arena for all to see. A snapshot of a bloody Alpha Bates runs across the field towards the lake, and my chest tightens. I’d known about the cameras, Scott had pointed them out, but what I hadn’t known was how they were keeping track of us. We’re being screened for everyone’s entertainment like one of those TV shows the humans love to watch.
I watch closely. If Bates is no longer fighting, then he’s either been chased off or he’s killed Nicolai, Joel, and his partner. While I’m sure my bond would be crying out if Joel had been hurt or killed, I’m desperate to know what’s happening, and I watch the screen with a desperate intensity.
“Wait,” I call out as the cameras move over to another of the competitors. Finally releasing Scott’s hand, I step back so I have a better view of the screen, as if that’s going to give me the answers that I want. “Is Nicolai okay?” My voice is hoarse, and I’m sure no one but Scott can hear me, but before I can ask again, someone steps onto the stage.
Councilman Ruby.
The five seats of the council, all named after precious stones, are currently being held by males. When they take up the role, they forsake their old name and become a councilman, wearing the uniformed masked capes that hide their true identities. It’s disconcerting not knowing who’s watching you under that mask, and I’m sure that’s part of the reason they wear it. It keeps them separate from us, a constant reminder that they are in charge and watch all.
The band on their arms holds the stone they are named after, the only way to identify them by looks alone, and as Ruby steps forward, it takes everything inside me to hold back my dislike. Councilman Ruby seems to be the mouthpiece of the council, so I shouldn’t be surprised that he’s the one to step forward to greet us now.
“Laelia of Midnight River Pack, and Scott, lone wolf of no pack,” he greets, his voice somehow amplified so it echoes across the clearing. All other sounds disappear as I focus on the masked male, realising this is where we find out if we made it or not. “Congratulations, you have finished the trial and come in fifth place.”
I can hear how much it pains him to say this, and usually I’d take great pleasure in this, but I’m so shocked that I just stare at him, waiting for the punchline of whatever joke he must be playing on us.
“You get to spend tomorrow however you wish outside of the champions’ compound as a reward,” he continues, “and will begin the next trial in a favourable position.”
I don’t think I quite understand him, I can’t have heard him right. It sounds like he’s saying we not only completed the trial, but we are in one of the coveted top five spots. This means we not only successfully completed the trial and get to move forward, but we alsowon…
“You may go to the healer’s tent to recover.” There’s a clear dismissal in his voice and no room for argument. Although I want to wait to see what happened to Nicolai and Joel, I know that now is not the time to push the council. They are furious that we did so well, and if I cause a scene, then I have no doubt they’ll make things more difficult for me.
“Laelia,” Scott calls softly, sensing my reluctance.
Finally pulling my gaze from Councilman Ruby, I look at the lone wolf, my new acquaintance and dare I say friend, and nod slowly. There’s a gentle warning in his tone reminding me not to fall apart now—there will be time for that later.
Rolling my shoulders back, I keep my chin high as we start to walk off the stage. As we do, I spy another screen with what looks like a leader board on it, and sure enough, my and Scott’s names are in fifth place. I don’t have time to see who came in the positions before us, because we’re greeted by a stern-looking female who gestures for us to follow her.
Instead of leading us through the crowd, we’re taken behind the stage and led to a large marquee. As soon as we enter, we’re surrounded by healers. I can barely make out what anyone is saying as they all speak over each other. Blinking owlishly, I look around and try to make sense of what’s happening. Beds line either side of the tent, with curtains positioned to separate each bed and offer a semblance of privacy. Several are already closed, and I can hear the quiet voices of the healers and the pained voices of their patients.
