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I twisted away from my oldest friend. I wouldn’t be able to get through today if I stared any longer. Isiah had a gift of worming his way under my skin andalmostmaking me forget that I was a servant to the Crown.
The recruits’ faces were sober, not one of them daring to speak.
“You must be wondering why you are all gathered here before us.” Lieutenant Harlow circled the room like a caged beast, his deep-green eyes sharpening on every lad he passed.
“Today, a small number of you, personally selected by our commander, will be tasked to carry out a dangerous mission. But Commander Maddox has been gracious enough to allow those chosen the option to accept or deny…seeing as you haven’t completed your training yet,” he added with a grimace.
Harlow hadn’t liked that stipulation. Neither had Isiah, who argued that it wasn’t wise to go against the king’s wishes.
Truthfully, Ishouldn’tbe allowing choice, but it was my own way of rebelling against Cirian. I never had that option, and I’d be damned if I sent the recruits into the cursed lands without their consent.
I stepped forward as Harlow fell in line with the other Knights. He shot me a scowl before facing ahead.
“Today, I am asking a select few to journey with me and my men into the Mist,” I said, gasps echoing in reply. “You have the choice to turn down this assignment, but just so you know, the king has decreed it vital for the kingdom’s safety. You may also know that we lost many Knights on the last mission, and that is why we had to make The Calling mandatory this year for all eligible initiates.”
I briefly found Kiara across the room, her rich copper hair glowing beneath the chandelier. At her side were the three boys who followed her everywhere. Patrick, the one with freckles and pale-green eyes, sidled closer, but when he made to reach for her gloved hand, she pulled away.Interesting.
I looked away from her, already anticipating the hellfire that would soon rain down on me once she discovered what I’d done. Or rather, the final decision I’d made.
“When I call your name, please step into the ring.” Every one of them straightened, probably holding their breaths. Four names. Four lives lost.
“Nic Danic.”
Kiara’s attention shot to her new friend, whose skin paled visibly. He recovered quickly enough, squaring his shoulders and striding into the center. He gave me a respectful nod before twisting back to his friends, hands clasped behind his back.
“Jake Carlton.” Another of her friends. Jake fell in line next to Nic, the two gazing blankly ahead. Kiara had unknowingly surrounded herself with the best of the lot. Jake excelled at archery and hand-to-hand combat, and Nic was an exceptional swordsman.
“Alec Evans.”
Another good soldier, and quick on his feet. I noted how he’d received excellent marks from Harlow, which was impressive in itself.
Four names. Four recruits.
Kiara lifted her chin expectantly, awaiting her turn. She was prepared for me to call her name, to condemn her—
“Patrick Parsons.”
She was too stunned to issue a protest, and I watched soundlessly as Patrick ambled into the center of the chamber, his skin a sickly white. He was well versed in lore and botany, both useful attributes for where we were headed. Regardless of his fighting abilities, he’d make a decent addition.
“Commander Maddox!” It appeared as though Kiara had found her voice after all.
“Recruit?” I fixed my face into an expression of indifference. “You have a question?”
She seethed, her hands clenching. “I am just as qualified, if not more so, than the appointed recruits. I would like to take the last recruit’s place.”
Patrick’s face turned a deep crimson, his eyes widening in shock as he urged her to shut her mouth.
“The decision is final,” I barked, turning away from her and giving her my back. “However, if the recruits selected would like to decline, now is their chance.”
I hadn’t been lying when I’d offered them that one small mercy. Sure, turning down this offer would relegate them to the Guard, but at least they’d have a better chance of living.
My heart thundered as Kiara begged them to reconsider, her tone comprised of ice and fury.
No one spoke up. No one answered her pleas.
Secretly, I was thankful. I’d pay for this later though, when the king discovered I’d knowingly disobeyed a direct order, but I’d be too far into the Mist by then to feel his wrath.
Besides, I didn’t expect to return back home to Sciona this time. Not breathing, at least.
