AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I shivered at this, wondering if the blue flame was part of the old magic that was rumored to be part of our planet’s history but had been replaced by technology and advanced science.
More cadets filed in around us, and soon we were surrounding the saucer-like brazier that rose high over our heads but would not relinquish our gazes. No heat emanated from the fire, which gave credence to Zenen’s story that the flame was cool to the touch, although I would not be the one to test this myself.
Shuffling sounds behind me made me turn my head to see older Blades assembling against the walls. When they had encircled us, they thumped their fists across their chests in unison. The thump made everyone pivot to face them.
“The School of Battle welcomes the newest Blades to our ranks,” one of the elder Blades intoned, his voice booming and filling every space in the circular room. “You have been chosen for your bravery and your valor. You are now part of an elite fighting force that has led our people into battle for centuries. Blades are brave, strong, fierce, and loyal. There are none that come between us and our honor.”
He strode from his place along the wall, parting the circle of first-years around the flame. Then he ascended steps on the other side of the brazier that I hadn’t seen, and he stood at the level of the fire. He drew a curved blade from either side of his waist and held the gleaming metal over the twisting, blue flame.
Drawing them out, he pressed the sharp, curved edges together. Sparks flew from where they touched, spitting and hissing and making all the first-years take a step back. “The Blades are not to be crossed or to be defeated, not from without, and not from within.”
He descended the stairs and walked purposefully around the cadets, leveling a hard look at each of us as he passed. “Do not cross the Blades.”
The upperclassmen and instructors lining the walls repeated him in a thundering reprise. “Do not cross the Blades.”
He said it again, this time barking the words with so much force that I felt them in my bones. “Do not cross the Blades.”
Now all the first-years joined in, our voices rising as one and bouncing off the domed ceiling and making the eternal flame flicker. “Do not cross the Blades.”
My heart raced and my pulse jackknifed as the deep voices of my fellow Blades reverberated through me. All thoughts of the Wings, my family’s expectations, and my misguided belief that I belonged somewhere else, anywhere else but in the School of Battle were purged from me like poison being sucked from a wound. I clenched my hands in fists by my side as pride pulsed through me, a sensation I’d never experienced in such a pure form.
I was a Blade. I was a proud Blade. I was a proud Blade who was part of a long line of brave Blade brothers. And I should not be crossed.
Chapter
Four
Jess
My steps were uneven as I made my way through the long tables toward the back of the hall. I’d had too much Drexian wine, and my vision was blurred as I made my way toward fresh air and quiet. More cheers went up around me as cadets celebrated making it through the maze, or older cadets celebrated inducting new cadets into their school.
I didn’t begrudge anyone their celebration. I was thrilled to have made it into the Assassins, which had been the school I’d always wanted. After the treacherous maze, I would have been happy with anything, although I didn’t give myself great odds for lasting long in Blades.
I lifted a hand to tap the new emblem pinned to the collar of my dress uniform, my fingers tracing over the shape of the long sword and the mask on top of it. Part of me still couldn’t believe that I was at the alien academy, that I’d survived the trials, that I’d been selected to be in the School of Strategy.
I was just a girl from a small town in middle America, and whatever was the opposite of being born with a silver spoon in your mouth, that was me. Being an Assassin was lightyears—literally—from where I’d started, and part of me couldn’t believe it was real and that it was happening to me.
The initiation had been everything I’d imagined from an induction into a school known as the Assassins. Standing blindfolded with upper class cadets and instructors encircling me had made me question my life decisions a few times before I’d successfully repeated an oath, had my blindfold pulled off, and the black cords wound around my wrists untied.
I touched my wrists and could almost feel the silky cords again. I could imagine that the loud din in the hall was the cheer that went up once the Assassins had taken off their masks and stepped forward to welcome me and the other new members into their ranks. It had been one of the proudest moments in my life, which explained why I’d felt the need to reward myself with way too much Drexian wine.
“Bad idea,” I scolded myself aloud. “Awful.”
I should have known better. People in my family were not famous for holding their liquor. Thinking of my mother’s slurred speech and weaving gait that had been as much a part of my childhood as Barbies and coloring books made me regret even more that I had allowed myself to get drunk.
Once I’d reached the end of the tables and emerged from the long hall and into the cooler and less raucous foyer, I took a greedy gulp of breath. I walked to the stone banister and leaned against it as I focused on inhaling and exhaling until the dizziness—and urge to vomit all over my polished boots—passed.
“You okay, hon?”
I lifted my head to see long, skinny legs encased in shiny, orange pants. Pushing myself up, I took in the rest of Reina’s colorful outfit, a multicolored, sequined tunic that would have looked at home in a nightclub. I managed to smile at her. “Just getting some fresh air.”
“I don’t blame you.” She let out a high, chirpy laugh. “It’s warm with all those celebrating Drexians.” She glanced at the insignia on my uniform. “Congratulations on making it through, cadet.”
My weak smile broadened. “Thanks. I’m excited for what comes next, although I think what comes next for me might be bed.”
Reina patted my arm. “Why don’t I get you some cold water before you decide?” She backed away from me and toward the open doors. “I get the feeling that celebrations here are few and far between, so you might want to savor this one.”
I watched her return to the hall, pivoting away and breathing in deeply. The Vexling might be right. The academy did seem heavy on the danger and light on the parties.
