by Auryn Hadley
"Scare, I think," Arctic said, glancing to Sal for approval. "Since we're not exactly gonna be the most popular unit in the Conglomerate soon."
"Least not with Parliament," she agreed.
"Good point," Blaec said. "Sal, growling and snarling is allowed. Be sure to challenge every one of them. If they weren't raised as one of us, they should at least have the instinctual desire to submit to you. Arctic, you want to play the good guy, or should I?"
"Works better when I do it, LT. They're already terrified of you before they meet you."
Sal moved to lounge behind Blaec, leaning against the wall. Arctic reclined, propping one foot on the desk. Blaec poured them all a drink and they chatted casually about their first impressions until Zep sent them a warning thought. The door opened shortly after, and he escorted in a tall dark-skinned man.
"Specialist Jad Ivant," Zep said, "let me introduce you to the officers of the Black Blades. Lieutenant Blaec Doll, Sergeant Karim Chalybs – also known as Arctic – and Sergeant Salryc Luxx, who we call Sal."
"Well met, sirs," the man said.
"Sit down, boy," Blaec ordered, leaning forward. "I like to take the time to meet each of my applicants. Tell me, what do you know of the Black Blades?"
Jad smiled and stared politely at the Lieutenant's bars. "Sir, I've followed your successes since I was a boy. Congratulations on the Escean Pass, sir, and I was glad to hear that Yager's Crossing went well."
"We lost the damned intel," Sal said coldly. "I wouldn't call that well."
He looked up at her quickly, then dropped his eyes, but his chin lifted slightly. "Better the metal than the First Officer, sir."
Sal inhaled deeply, smelling the man's pride at the hint he'd just dropped. "So you currently have, what..." She walked closer to him and breathed in again. A faint hint of a woman clung to his clothing. "I see."
Arctic chuckled beside him. "Iliri lover? That's convenient."
"Pardon?" Jad asked, looking quickly between the three of them.
Blaec rested his chin on his hands and looked at the man before him. "You've been seeing a woman of mixed ancestry. She's either spent a lot of time at your place, you at hers, or you're living together. She works in intelligence - "
"Ft. Landing, in Colonel Cal's office," Sal said. "Hard to mistake that incense."
"Fuck," Jad whispered, his eyes widening. "Fiancée, we live together in Ft. Landing, and yes, you even got her supervisor correct."
"And you know she's iliri?" Zep asked snidely from the door.
Jad clenched his teeth and turned, his eyes cold. "Yeah, I know exactly what her breeding is." He could barely keep himself in the chair. "Got a sixteenth myself. Not enough to get the benefits, but enough to not turn my nose up."
Did he really just challenge Zep? Sal asked, impressed.
Yeah, Zep sent back, glaring at the man, but his mental voice was amused.
He's truly pissed, too, Arctic thought. He reeks of it. "Hey," Arctic said, touching his shoulder. "That's a Black Blade you're talking to."
"Sorry," Jad muttered, turning back to the officers professionally.
"You heard the rumors, boy?" Zep asked, taunting him.
"Yeah, I did." He glanced up at Blaec, a smile spreading to his lips. "More than just the one about your tirade in the officer's hall, sir."
Arctic made a pleased noise. "Do tell?"
"Sergeant Luxx went rogue in Yager's Crossing, there's been speculation about proper military protocol with romantic liaisons, and my favorite is the one that says you can do magic."
Sal couldn't help it, she laughed. "Magic?"
"Yes, sir. The rumor is that there's magic in the Black Blades." Jad ducked his head and grinned. "None of you take wounds, you always seem to get intel faster than anyone else, and you can teleport. I kinda figure they just haven't had the privilege of seeing iliran agility."
The Lieutenant chuckled. "I see. And what are your specialties, Specialist Ivant?"
"I've got a fair seat. Rode with the CFC messenger service when I first enlisted. I do well with the sword, but I'm a mess with a shield, sir. I do have two years working in tactics with the analysts, though."
Sal was impressed. The young man had potential. He was one of the two humans that had made the cut. She watched him, taking note of his body language as he spoke, and except for the defense of his fiancée, he seemed even-tempered and intelligent. The short meeting concluded and Zep moved to his side to escort the man to his rooms. Beyond the door, Shift waited with the next applicant.
"Mess hall at 1200 for your first exam, soldier," Blaec said as he left.
A long line of men streamed through the office that day. Only a few stood out. Most had anticipated the questions and had formal and flowery responses ready, but they told little of themselves. Two men looked at Sal with their contempt barely concealed. When the last recruit left the room, the sun was dropping in the sky, and the three officers had consumed nearly a bottle of liquor each.
"You'd better feed her, LT," Arctic teased, tilting his chin at Sal.
Blaec sighed and glanced up at her. "You drunk?"
"No," she laughed. "Takes more than a bottle of mead over six hours to make me drunk. I am starving, though. You coming?"
He shook his head. "Nah, you two go. I have a few things to do first. Fucking Parliament wants a presentation, and I'm trying to talk them out of it."
"Presentation of what?" Arctic asked.
"The Blades," Blaec said. "And it doesn't look like we get to take the week off for trials this time. Probably going to be scrambling to make sure we get the trials done each day. I'll want everyone available for the tests, though." He rubbed his head, then waved that away. "No, go eat. I'll get this crap finished and meet you down there in less than an hour. We can talk about all of this in the morning."
"Yeah," Arctic told him. "You know you can put it off, too."
Blaec laughed. "Thirty minutes now and I get the night off." He leaned over and kissed Sal, then shooed her to the door.
At Arctic's side, she walked through the stone halls of the Prin military compound. The entire base had been designed to impress. Stone columns and banisters lined the halls and deep rich wood was used liberally. The place was nothing like the Stables at Stonewater that the Black Blades had always called home.
A cluster of recruits sat together at one of the many long tables in the mess hall. Their heads followed the officers when they entered and Sal's ear flicked in their direction at the sound of her name. She caught a few jokes about her – most light-hearted – while she filled a plate and moved toward the group of soldiers in black, but as she set it on the table, they crossed the line.
One of the younger men, Tane Geoni, laughed and asked his new friends, "Wonder what it'd be like to have those teeth wrapped around your -"
"You know I can hear you, right?" Sal called across the room, annoyed.
Nine heads snapped to face her. The curious man at least had the grace to blush.
"You can hear that from over there?" another asked.
"Yeah," Arctic said. "Most of us can."
"I take it his comments weren't so kind?" Zep asked Sal softly.
From the far side of the mess hall, Cyno answered while still filling his plate. "He's just wondering what any man would. Do na take it wrong, Sal."
Tane buried his head in his hands and the others laughed, but Zep wouldn't let it go. He stood and made his way to the recruit's table, easing himself down in an empty spot.
"Let me make this real clear for all of you. Sal's pretty nice to look at, and she's probably not like anything any of you have met before, am I right?"
The boys all nodded, a few glancing back at her.
"Any of you see her fight yet?" Zep asked pointedly.
They all shook their heads.
Zep smiled, nodding as if confirming what he'd expected. "Ever seen any iliri fight?"
The heads weren't as emphatic this time, some men looking at those beside
them cautiously.
"Well, they move like predators and strike faster. Now just imagine a pack of them." He stood and smiled kindly at the recruits, adding, "Don't piss us off. It won't be pretty."
"No, sir," Tane whispered, staring at the table.
Zep returned to Sal's side and patted her shoulder. Sorry. Just never could tolerate that shit.
Thanks, big brother. She thought, smiling up at him.
The rest of the Blades slowly trickled in and they ate in silence, keeping their conversation inside their heads. She knew they must make a strange group, looking at each other without a word spoken and laughter erupting spontaneously, then she remembered the rumors of magic. Let them wonder, she told herself when the recruits stole curious looks. The Blades would no longer change their ways to suit the sensibilities of humans. The world would have to learn to accept them as they were.
Everything seemed to be going well when a disturbance at the door caught Sal's attention. Audgan, the blonde kid, stood with his head down, apologizing to a human soldier. Sal thought little of it until Cyno looked. Then she flicked her ear that way, listening.
"I don't fucking care who you are, scrubber, I don't like eating with your kind around."
"Yes, sir," Audgan answered, unmoving.
Cyno's eyes caught hers. Together, they stood. Sal gestured for the rest to wait while the two of them checked out the situation. Moving like the assassins they were, the pair was standing behind the soldier before he was aware of their presence.
"Don't 'sir' me, you fuck," the man snapped, shoving at Audgan's shoulder.
"There a problem?" Sal asked politely.
The soldier jumped, turning to glare at her. Sal grinned back, flicking her ears close to her skull and smiling wide enough for him to see her nicely pointed teeth.
"Fucking Private tried shoving into me," he said, daring her to disagree.
"I doubt it," Cyno said coldly.
Sal glanced at the man's shoulder, then up into his face. "We don't care to touch your kind, the feel never seems to come off, so I doubt there was any shoving. Or are you intentionally harassing my soldier, Corporal?"
His eyes flicked to her shoulder and widened as he realized that she outranked him. "Sergeant? I guess it was a misunderstanding, then."
"I guess so," Sal said. "I hope you don't plan to make a habit of it."
"Or what?" he dared to ask, his eyes drifting across her in disgust.
Sal flicked her ears forward and cocked her head to the side, allowing a friendly smile to show at her lips. "Why, Corporal, if that happened, it might make me think you were seeking my attention. I'd be more than happy to find you," she paused, "alone," and paused again, the smile never leaving, "to show you how appreciative I am."
"Sergeant Luxx, Corporal Cynortas," Audgan said softly, "I didn't mean to cause problems."
The human blanched. Both Sal and Cyno were well known as assassins. It was the last hint he needed.
"My apologies, Sergeant," he muttered.
"No problem, Corporal."
She gestured for Audgan to precede her. Cyno followed. When they were well outside the human's hearing, she stopped, touching the boy's shoulder lightly.
"How they treat you will never affect how you are judged in the trials. How you respond may. Understand?"
"Yes, sir," he said, his eyes never meeting hers.
"And that does na mean letting them kick the shit outta ya," Cyno added.
Audgan glanced up at him, a tentative smile on his lips. "Wouldn't happen. I may not be dominant like the two of you, but I have my ways, sir."
Sal nodded and left, leaving the recruit to find his own way. Her instincts wanted her to protect him, but she knew that wasn't always possible. He'd either pass the trials or not, and he'd have to do it on his own merits. She liked the boy, though. She was rooting for him.
Chapter 4
Blaec had never made it down for dinner with his men. Sal wasn't shocked. It was typical for him to get lost in his work and the revelation of their species only made it harder, but he would never admit it. It was his fear of losing her that made Blaec storm into a meeting of the top generals of the country and snarl that the Black Blades were all iliran, giving up their pretense of fitting in with human society. Only afterward had he realized that his men wanted the world to know regardless of the repercussions. They were the only iliri in the Conglomerate of Free Citizens in a position to prove that their people were as good as humans. Things would never change unless someone took the first step, and the Blades never did anything partway.
But she didn't want to return to their rooms only to watch him stare at maps and papers. Sal sighed. It was too hot to be trapped inside, she thought. It would be stifling in the rooms for another couple of hours, and the compound seemed to have been built to minimize the breeze. She unbuttoned her uniform, the standard-issue tank being more than enough for the summer weather, and leaned over the railing, looking into the courtyard.
Do na tell me you are fighting with him again? her partner's rough voice asked in her mind.
Sal shook her head, glancing over her shoulder to see him standing carefully in a shadow. No, just too hot to watch him work. Why are you out here?
Cyno glanced down and moved beside her. Keeping an eye on our new toys. He gestured at the courtyard. Both regular military and the Black Blades' recruits mingled, all trying to catch the faintest hint of a breeze.
You really think there's going to be any problems, Jase? she asked.
Na, but does na mean I will trust them.
Is that why you always were keeping an eye on me, back in my trials?
He glanced at her quickly, then carefully looked back to the men below. Na. We all knew ya would na be a problem. Did na realize ya knew bout that.
You were always there, she pointed out. Every time I needed you, and a few when I didn't – but could have.
Yeh.
Why?
He shrugged.
What's going on, Jase? Sal pressed. Ever since Yager's Crossing, something's changed.
Yeh, he said, looking up at her. A lot's changed since then. I owe ya my life, ya know?
Sal sighed at that. I didn't think we were keeping track. She looked over at him, his profile silhouetted in the setting sun. Pretty sure that makes me still in your debt, though.
Ya count diff'rent than I do, then.
She shrugged and pulled off the long sleeve shirt, draping it across the stone railing, watching him. Cyno had always been a bit more feral than the others and Sal never could quite guess what he was thinking.
I fergot how hot it gets in Prin in the summers, he said, leaning back, trying to change the subject.
Yeah, and it's after hours, so we're not required to be in uniform, she pointed out.
A smile finally found its way to his face, and he chuckled, glancing at her. Trying ta get me outta my clothes? he teased.
Sal smiled. It's been known to happen.
I can na resist an offer like that. He slowly began to peel away his own shirt.
Swirling black lines were etched across his left arm, reaching across his chest. He tossed his uniform beside Sal's and leaned his back against the rail, his pants dipping dangerously low. New lines caught her eye and she looked across his body, admiring the tattoos.
You ever going to teach me to read those? she asked.
Ya really wanna learn? Why?
Sal shrugged. I'm iliri, and I don't speak a word of my own language or read it. It seems wrong. She glanced away, her jaw set. I don't know anything about us, Jase. I'm faking this. And here you are, with traditions and history that seems amazing and perfect to me, but I don't have a clue.
He reached out and touched her wrist gently, waiting for her to look. She turned, meeting his twilight eyes. Carefully, he lifted her hand.
It's ok ta touch them, Sal. They do na burn.
She traced the lines on his bicep, sharp edges branching away from the swirling pattern, trying to ign
ore the hard muscles beneath. Her finger followed the words, and she smiled, entranced with the art of her native language while her hand made its way to his chest. She reached the new lines and his hand grabbed hers, stopping it.
That one, he said, is what ya will learn first. His face showed no expression, but he held her gaze easily.
What does it mean?
It's yer name, kitten.
It was written over his heart.
Chapter 5
She woke up alone, again. It was becoming a habit. Blaec had slipped out from under her without disturbing her sleep to make yet another meeting. Each day had been the same lately: a different politician calling him to their office, each wanting to know if the rumors were true. None of them could believe that the best soldiers in the country were little more than beasts. Sal yawned, looking at his empty spot beside her, wondering when he'd return.
Knowing she would never fall back asleep, she slipped out of the bed and slid into a pair of her usual black pants and a black tank, throwing one of Blaec's white standard-issue shirts over it. She twisted her white hair into a knot and tucked it under a blue Conglomerate cap, not caring that she looked more like a common soldier than the Black Blade she was. She breathed in the smell of him clinging to the material before heading into the main compound.
Cyno was at it again. A circle of soldiers surrounded her partner, cheering him on as he stalked a blonde man. By the smiles, she could assume there was money riding on the outcome, and she wanted a closer look. It wasn't often she got to appreciate his skill from the sidelines. Slipping between the tall men forming a circle, she made her way to the front of the crowd. Both held practice knives, the blonde making feints at the iliri assassin, trying to spur him into movement.
"Pull back," Sal called out. "If you retreat, he'll close the gap."
Ignoring her suggestion, the blonde lunged, and Cyno easily stepped past his attack, threw the man to the ground, then lazily touched the soldier's neck with his wooden blade. The crowd laughed.
"You think you could do better?" a man beside her asked, looking down and seeing only her common attire. "Girl, that's a Black Blade. Their main assassin, ain't no one able to beat him."
