Both of us knew that he was lying. But I waited. I let the silence hang there. For as long as I could.
“Is it because you are their leader?” I asked hesitantly.
He twisted towards me, the sudden movement sending dark locks of hair falling in front of his face. He shoved them back, revealing a wide-eyed expression. “How...how could you know that?”
I shook my head, tsking at him. “It isn’t hard to see. From the first day, I could tell.” His incredulous expression grew at my words. “The way the others acted around you when you stood there. The respect on their faces. It was like you were the...the…like the alpha male,” I finally blurted out, embarrassed I couldn’t come up with a better description.
A smirk appeared at those last few words, but I ignored it and continued. “I know you’re different from the rest of them and I can see Ember is as well.”
His smile turned genuine now and he reached over, taking my hand softly in his.
“But what I don’t understand is why? Why do they treat you like that?”
“Why I’m the...alpha male, as you said?”
“Yes.” I ignored the laughter in his voice. “Why are you their leader if you are so different from them?”
“It’s simple really. I’m not different.”
My breath stilled as I stared back at his now completely serious face. What did he mean not different? Growing uncomfortable suddenly, I tried to pull my hand from his, but he tightened his grasp.
“Sage, let me explain,” he added hurriedly, noting my expression. “They don’t know I’m different. They don’t know about the healing. They don’t see anything from me except power. A cold, dark power.” He paused and his last words echoed in my head as I thought about all the times I’d seen him with the others. And what they must see. Because while Blaze was true to his name, a burning fire, wild and rabid, Coal…Coal simmered, a cold rage, one all the more terrifying.
“But why? Why is that how you have to…act?”
“I knew I had to do something to protect Ember. I’ve known it from the day he came to live with my family. He was never the best at fighting. He just doesn’t have the personality for it. He tries, but there’s not an ounce of anger in him.” Coal sighed slowly. “He’s just a kind soul. And his dimples certainly don’t help.”
I grinned at this, remembering how surprised I’d been to see them on his face. But it disappeared as I noticed the seriousness etched on Coal’s.
“I didn’t want to have to tell you this,” he said slowly, eyes lowering to our still linked hands. “To have to tell you about this other part of me. Because…the way I earned their respect was by turning into someone else. Into something else. I became the most ferocious fighter. I was brutal against my opponents. I was the one everyone feared. The one nobody wanted to be up against. I won every single time. No matter what and usually at someone else’s cost. And that is how I ended up earning their respect. And how I let that respect keep us protected.”
His expression grew pained and I tightened my grip on his hand, the calluses rough against my fingertips. “It doesn’t make me proud to think of how I treated the others. But it was worth it in the end. Because it’s kept Ember safe. And it’s allowed me to be around you.”
I nodded, my mind still reeling with what he’d just revealed. But he was still leaving one thing out. Ember had indicated the others were becoming more brutal because they were desperate to be accepted into Combatant. But that didn’t explain why I was the target of their rage. Not Aurora. Not Finn. Not Ivy, or Misty, or any of the others. Yes, they’d hurt Rowan, but only because he was with Serafina. Only because they were afraid she wouldn’t enter into Combatant because of him.
It should have been obvious, but I didn’t understand then. Couldn’t make sense of it. Instead I just looked back towards the pond, rubbing my shoulder absently, the ache there still present.
✽✽✽
That night, I lay in my bed, unable to sleep. The Combat challenge was the following morning, and nervous anticipation fluttered inside me. As I wrapped my arms around my legs for the third time, drawing them tightly to my chest, the back of one hand brushed lightly against my ring. I’d become so used to having it tied to my ankle, I didn’t even notice it there anymore. Loosening the band that held it in place, I pulled it up from under the heavy blankets.
Looking at the ring was like looking at a small piece of home. I thought back to my mother handing it to me in secret. Her words about me needing it and knowing when the time would come. Though I still couldn’t make sense of any of it.
Gripping the cold metal band in my palm, I slipped it on for the first time. For some reason, I’d never placed it on my finger before. But…something was wrong.
A portion of the ring pressed deeply into the side of my finger.
Sliding it back off, I quickly turned on my lamp. And as I examined it, as I slowly felt along the inside with the pad of my fingertip, I realized there was a small raised area on its underside. Pressing a nail against it, I was surprised to see small bits of metal flake away.
A few more scrapes, and the lump of extra metal was gone, now revealing a carving underneath, though I couldn’t quite decipher what it was. The image was too small. Moving closer to my lamp, I held the ring directly over the bright bulb. The illumination was just enough to make out the image.
I gasped and jerked back, accidently dropping the ring. It bounced off the night table with a loud thud, falling to the floor, then rolled a couple of feet away.
It couldn’t be. I stared at the metal band across the floor for a solid ten seconds before moving to pick it up. I’d made a mistake. That had to be it. I lifted the ring to the light once more.
There was no mistake. Into the metal was carved a symbol, only about a quarter inch in height.
The exact same symbol that Coal wore around his neck.
Chapter 32
The next morning I was still in shock about the ring. And tired as well. I’d slept fitfully during the night, unable to stop thinking about the connection between it and Coal’s chain. I didn’t know what I was going to say to him or if I should tell him at all. My mother’s warning to keep it hidden echoed in my head.
Dressing quickly in black leather pants and a fitted, long-sleeved shirt, I stared at my reflection in the carved wooden mirror. Besides the cuts and bruises, all in various stages of healing, and the clothes I now wore, I didn’t look all that different from when I first arrived here. Same bright green eyes, same dark curls falling to my mid-back. Same willowy figure, maybe a little more muscular. But I felt different, on the inside. Being here and challenging myself, more than ever before, had changed me. I felt stronger and less unsure.
And somehow, seeing that symbol on the ring, while frightening, also made me realize there was a reason I was here. And that reason had something to do with Coal. Clearly I was the one his chain had led him to. But the ring on my ankle didn’t grow warm when I looked at him. So, what was it supposed to lead me to?
✽✽✽
An hour later, I sat alone again in the cafeteria, forcing myself to eat some oatmeal. Cirrus was off with Rowan and his group as usual and Aurora and Finn were practicing a little bit more before the final Combat challenge. And so I was left alone to worry about what was going to happen in the next few hours.
Trying to distract myself, I started to think again about the ring on my ankle. What was I supposed to use it for? What would it show me? I debated whether I should show it to Coal or not. He already seemed a little unhinged by the metal symbol on his chain. I didn’t know how he would react to the ring.
Suddenly, someone placed their tray onto the table, tearing me from my thoughts. Glancing up, I expected to see Finn or Aurora. Instead, my mouth dropped open.
Coal stood there, dragging back a chair and dropping down into it.
“What…what are you doing?” I managed.
This was the first time he’d ever sat down with me during a meal. All
the other times we talked, it had been either in the field or by the pond. But never in such close proximity to all the other trainees.
“Eating breakfast,” he said, deadpan, taking a bite of his toast.
“I mean, what are you doing here? With me?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “I wanted to sit with you.”
Looking past his shoulder, I could see the group of Fire trainees staring at us again, but decided not to mention it. What was the point?
“So, are you ready for today?” he asked, reaching over and stealing a piece of bacon from my plate.
Great. All the nerves I’d been trying to ignore came jittering back full force. “No.”
He smirked at me. “C’mon, yes you are.”
“No, I’m really not. I was fine in intellect and stealth. But this is different.” I stirred my oatmeal absently, my appetite completely gone now.
“Sage,” he said quietly, his eyes losing some of the laughter that had been there only moments before. “You are ready for this. You’re one of the strongest fighters here. You keep it up, the others will start to think you were originally from Fire Society.”
“Sure,” I replied, rolling my eyes.
“Even if you don’t believe it now, you’ll see,” he finished, jamming another piece of toast in his mouth.
I paused a moment, then asked the question resting on the tip of my tongue. “Why are you able to sit here now? I know we didn’t exactly hide the fact we’ve been training together, but we were never around each other in full view like this before.”
He looked up, chewing the last of the toast, then swallowing. “I’ve decided I don’t care what they think anymore. I want to be around you. Spend time with you. And I’m not going to let their views or opinions come between us.”
A warm feeling spread through me and, for just a moment, I forgot about the upcoming challenge.
✽✽✽
Half an hour later, we sat outside the doorway leading into the main arena. Several trainees had already completed the challenge, exiting the large room about ten minutes after entering. Ivy was among them, and no one missed the crestfallen look on her face as she emerged.
Flint followed behind her, his dark gaze scanning the group of us, his lip curling at the frightened eyes meeting his.
“Coal!” he rasped.
Giving me a brief smile, Coal rose to his feet, entering through the open doorway which Flint quickly snapped shut behind them.
Not five minutes passed before he emerged. Behind him, stood Flint. He wore a scowl now, this time likely due to Coal’s performance. I met Coal’s eyes and received a brief nod. But he hadn’t even reached me when Flint called out the next name.
“Sage!”
Jolting in surprise, I turned to see Flint now facing me, that scowl transforming into something along the lines of twisted pleasure at my nervousness. I hesitated a moment, trying to calm my quivering stomach. It was a moment too long.
“Now, Ms. Clarison!” he barked.
Jumping to my feet, I hurried towards him, passing Coal as I did so. “Don’t worry. You’ll be fine,” he whispered, giving my hand a brief squeeze before I followed Flint inside.
“Sage,” a deep voice rang out. I looked up and saw River, along with Eden, seated in the stacked stands above, gazing down at me as Flint ascended the stairs to join them. Surrounding the room was every single trainer I’d laid eyes on since coming here.
“Come in and move forward until you reach the red line marked upon on the ground,” River instructed.
“Okay,” I nodded, and did as commanded, though my legs shook with each step.
About twenty paces more and I reached the red line. Lying directly in front of it, gleaming there dangerously, were three weapons. A knife, a spear, and a sword. I swallowed thickly, staring down at the polished steel, the brass hilts, the smooth shaft of the spear, its finely crafted wood.
Peeling my eyes from them, I glanced around. My eyes landed upon another red line, a short distance from where I stood.
Three more identical weapons lay there. Weapons that would be launched towards me only mere moments from now. The question was, who would be launching them?
As if reading my mind, River cleared his throat. “During this challenge, you will be fighting against one of the trainers. You will use those weapons,” his hand motioned towards the deadly blades at my feet, “to defend yourself.”
Looking down at them again, it hit me that there was no shield to use to defend myself this time. Then again, I’d fought better against Coal after I’d dropped it during the practice challenge.
Distracted by sounds coming from the stands, I gazed up to see Flint speaking with Eden and River. I couldn’t make out the words, but it was clear they disagreed about something. After a few moments though, it was obvious Flint had the upper hand. The others grew quiet and finally relented, nodding towards him.
Turning back towards me, River paused. “The trainer you will fight against will now come forward,” he said, his voice strained.
My eyes circled the room once again. Who was it going to be?
“Wade,” River called out, his voice still tight. Flint made a motion with his hand and footsteps sounded to my right as someone approached.
Tall. Muscular. Spiky black hair. And black sunglasses covering his eyes. Of course. Of course, it had to be him.
“Sage, before you begin, we want to remind you again of the dangers of this challenge. These are real weapons, not holograms. You could be seriously injured. You could be killed. The trainer you are fighting against is not going to let up. So, you’d better not either. Fight your hardest. Fight as if your life depends on it. Because it very well may. Is that understood?”
I nodded, an icy chill running through my veins at River’s words.
“You will launch the knife and spear before you towards each other, as well as fight with the sword. You may do it in any order you like, but after one of you disarms the other of all weapons, the hand-to-hand portion will start.”
I nodded again, taking in his words.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes,” I murmured, steeling myself as my eyes flashed back to the trainer across from me. He crouched low, readying himself, and I copied his movements.
The countdown began. 4…3…2…1…
The whistle that signaled our start pierced through the air, but I paid no attention as I dove towards the weapons. Snatching the sleek wooden shaft of the spear first, I launched it, pitching it towards him. Not bothering to look and see if it made contact, I skirted back, palms closing over my knife and sword.
Catching sight of his oncoming spear from the corner of my eye, I dropped to the floor just as it sailed over, so close I could hear as it sang by, but not close enough for me to feel the sting of a wound.
A moment later his knife flew past as well, missing only by mere inches. I turned to stare at him. Now he only had his sword left. He’d launched two weapons and hadn’t injured me once. I still had both my knife and sword.
And I planned to fight with both.
✽✽✽
Slowly, we approached one other. Shifting the knife to my left hand, I tightened the grip of my right on the sword, rotating it back and forth as I familiarized myself with its weight, keeping my eyes on Wade the entire time. His steps were careful, and though hidden by sunglasses, I knew his gaze was trained on me as well. A muscle clenched in his jaw as his weight shifted ever so slightly.
Somehow I managed to lift my sword just in time to block his oncoming blade as he threw himself at me. They crashed against one another, the resounding noise ear-piercing. Wade leaned in, pressing the sharp edge of his sword against mine, both blades coming dangerously close to my body. My breaths grew ragged as I struggled against his force. He leaned towards me, then with a sneer on his face, murmured under his breath, “You’re making this too easy.”
Hot anger pulsed through me at his words and with a frustrated scream, I shoved him
away. Though the advantage only lasted momentarily as he dove towards me again without restraint. Our swords slashed through the air, flying so fast I could barely make out the shapes. I swung my body around, slicing towards him.
And just missed flesh as he darted away. But as I staggered by him, about to whip my sword back around, a thick-fingered hand shot out and closed tightly around my arm.
He yanked me forward, forcibly trying to drag me towards him. And suddenly images flew through my mind. Being back on that train. His hands moving along my back, lingering there. Shoving me into those hard metal seats. The fear he made me feel.
Not again.
Yanking my arm from his grasp, I raised my knife, slashing it through the air, directly towards his chest. He spun out of the way, but not quickly enough, and the knife sliced effortlessly into his arm, a superficial tear appearing there. He froze, stunned by what I’d just done, staring at the beads of crimson beginning to pool along the wound. Taking full advantage of his distraction, I brought my sword down harshly against his with all the force I could muster. It fell out of his hands, clattering to the ground.
Immediately he dove down, trying to scoop it up. But it was too late. I already had my knife pointed at his throat. Holding it steady, I stretched my leg out, placing my boot over his blade and kicked it back behind me.
Although I couldn’t see his eyes, the sunglasses still obscuring them, I could see his cheeks. And the bright red shade of embarrassment and anger now coloring them.
A whistle sounded. The first part of this challenge was over. And I’d won.
Chapter 33
Moving towards the center of the arena again, I stood by, watching as several trainers removed the blades from the vicinity. A moment later the hand-to-hand portion began.
Immediately I stiffened, preparing myself. But Wade didn’t come at me right away, instead crouching down, slowly circling. My heart pounded faster and faster, until I was sure it was about to explode out of my chest. I was that scared. But I refused to let it show.
Awakening Earth and Fire: Earth and Fire Trilogy Book 1 Page 29
