“We've only got one step left,” Dr. March said to Ryan's relief.
Reaching over to the tray, he grabbed a device that looked like a pair of giant pliers. “This just measures your wrist,” he quickly assured before clasping it around Ryan's wrist. He turned a dial on it until it was firmly clasped then took note of the setting. “There we are.” He crossed the room and opened one of the clear cases lining the wall, whistling again as he inspected the contents. “And here we are.”
When he turned back around, Ryan spotted a notorious band in his hand. There it was: the band that marked all Belligerents, and it was about to go around his wrist as a permanent disclaimer to everyone he met from that day forward.
He was a criminal. He was a Belligerent.
“You've seen these before, I assume.” Dr. March said as he sat down in front of Ryan once more.
“Only on someone's wrist and from a distance,” Ryan said. He was unable to take his eyes off the rather large needle-like device on the inside of the band.
“This will hurt.”
“You can't just numb me?”
Dr. March gave him a gloomy smile. “It's not allowed,” he said with a shake of his head. “This is meant to be your first real wound as a Belligerent. A rite of passage almost, I guess. Albeit a private one.”
Ryan rolled his eyes and then glared at the doctor. “Of course. It was sadists who came up with this system, and it's sadists who still enforce it.”
Dr. March carefully turned the band in his hold allowing Ryan to see every micrometer of its surface. The man seemed as kindly as a snake at that moment. His jovial exterior was but a ruse for the children. Another lie.
Ryan took a deep breath. “Well, ten year old kids get this done all the time. Can't be that bad.”
No whistling this time.
“Hold out your wrist, please.”
His nerves somewhat under control, Ryan didn't hesitate. He stretched out his arm, forcing himself to watch as his freedom was officially, unceremoniously stripped from him.
“Remember, you can't be afraid of a little needle when you'll soon be facing swords.”
With that said, Dr. March forced the band onto Ryan's wrist. The thick needle pierced his skin and dug into his vein before the band clasped closed with a sickening snap. Soon he felt a liquid being released from the needle and his head floated.
“It's an acclimation drug. The ‘warning drug,’ as they call it. It will wear off in a few minutes.”
Dr. March tried to explain the violating sensations, but Ryan was too busy releasing a choked-off scream to care. His arm felt as if it was seizing and melting at the same time. The agony spread from his wrist to his shoulder. Then it consumed his entire body. Spots clouded his vision and he fought to remain conscious. It took several minutes for the drug to wear off, and when it did, Ryan still needed even more time to rein in his breathing.
“What... What now?” Ryan asked, watching as Dr. March manipulated his tablet.
“Now, you come with me,” a new voice called from behind.
Ryan sluggishly turned to face the doorway. “Shifter?”
Shifter grinned back at him. “Hello, Ryan. Ready to catch our flight?”
Chapter 4
His release from the place was bittersweet as he was immediately placed under Shifter's control. Shifter was his Owner and he took Ryan to an academy to be officially trained as a Beta Belligerent. That last part had come as a bit of a shock. He had been sure Shifter had been joking about his being placed on a team, but it seemed Shifter did in fact need someone to fill a spot as a student. The only way Ryan could shed his status as a Belligerent was to win his freedom or be permanently injured beyond being useful.
With only eight Belligerents being freed a year, Ryan didn’t like his odds. It was a bet Alex would never dare make.
The path up to Proserpine Academy was lined with trees so dense that Ryan couldn't see the sky, but he figured that it was still the same dreary overcast image that had greeted them at the airport. Proserpine Academy was located in a perennially cold climate with only a short, mild warm season, as Shifter had so kindly informed him. The branches of the trees intertwined with each other to form a natural archway over the road.
“The people here enjoy their privacy,” Shifter said absent-mindedly. “You'll grow to appreciate it.”
Ryan glanced over at the man, who had been busy reviewing documents on his tablet for nearly the entire ride from the airport.
Several long moments of silence passed.
“What's the matter? Not feeling sociable?”
Ryan sneered and went back to staring out the window. Attempting to steal the Zeus had been the worst decision of his life, and he was paying for it with his freedom. He stared down at the thin, identification band encircling his left wrist. The band marked him as a Belligerent. There was no way for him to remove it short of cutting off his own hand, and if the device sensed him trying such a thing or tampering with it in any way, it would immediately eject a sedative into his bloodstream which would knock him out until a member of the disciplinary squad could get to him.
“How long do I have to stay here?” Ryan asked. If he couldn’t find a way to escape, he wanted to know what would happen to him.
“You're being entered as a fifth year along with the rest of your team. You'll have to play catch-up for a while, but I have no doubt you'll be able to do it. You'll graduate after you complete eighth year. You're lucky, you know. You're a bit old to be given a chance at an academy and Proserpine is the best of the four.” He spoke of the place as if it were your typical school where students studied normal subjects instead of a place that trained teenagers in combat, theft, hacking and manipulation.
“And what happens after I graduate from the academy?”
“The top two groups from each of the four academies will go on to become the eight teams that will play in Vicara. If you happen to be a member of one of those groups, you'll become a celebrity. If you go on to win Vicara, you'll gain enough wealth and reputation to be anyone you want or do anything you want. You'll be free. If you do not graduate within one of the top two groups of Proserpine Academy then you will only move from being a student Belligerent to a professional Belligerent. You will continue to fight in pit games at my or your new Owner's discretion, and you will probably be loaned out for your transportation skills which will otherwise be useless if you do not get a chance to compete in Vicara. Of course, I could also have you downgraded to an Omega and sell you off to work as a labor or domestic Belligerent.”
Ryan hoped his fear at that threat didn’t register on his face. Nothing terrified him more than the possibility of becoming a labor Belligerent condemned to work in the mines or fields.
“Of course, I doubt there’s any way I would decide to do that to you. I'm not that sadistic.”
“What if I want to return to Darton?”
Shifter locked eyes with him. “Then win the right to be a combatant in the Vicara arena.”
The car came to a stop in the center of campus and Shifter motioned for Ryan to follow him. Ryan hesitated. He wondered if he had the ability to overpower both Shifter and the driver and take off with the car until he found someplace they couldn't find him. The sight of the thin band on his wrist stopped him. Breathe. He couldn’t rush. Planning and patience would surely open a chance for him.
“This is the main part of the campus,” Shifter said with a sweeping gesture once they were standing in the center of a courtyard.
Cobblestone walkways branched out in complicated patterns over the perfectly manicured grass leading to different areas of the campus, most of which could barely be seen due to the thick forest covering the majority of the grounds. Surrounded by hyacinths, an elaborate stone fountain dominated the center of the courtyard. Ryan recognized the plant because it was one of Alex's favorite flowers. Thinking about her caused a pang in his chest. He wondered what she thought about his disappearance. How long had it taken her to rea
lize he wasn't coming back? They had been a team for so long. What if her gambling wasn't enough to support her? Would she go to Paul for help?
Ryan was jolted from his panicked thoughts by Shifter clearing his throat in an obvious manner.
“As I was saying, this building has mostly faculty offices, but a few of the general classes such as math, literature, and history are held here. The other buildings are for specific concentrations.”
The edifices in that area all had dark elements to them and appeared to be made out of black marble. Large columns and elegantly intimidating features made up the buildings' exteriors.
Shifter pointed to one of the larger structures. “That building is for retrieval specialty and combat specialty. You'll probably have some fitness tests in there. Eva, whom you've already met, runs her team training sessions in there on occasion. The building next to that is reserved for the medical and science concentrations.”
“See those hedges over there?” Shifter asked. Ryan nodded. “That's a garden maze. You have to go through it to get to the entrance of the building for the strategy and information specialties. Every so often they change the maze's layout overnight, and then the students have to race against the clock to get to their classes on time.” Shifter's eyes glazed over and a small smile appeared on his face as if he were remembering something.
“That building,” Shifter said while pointing to the tallest and most modern one, “is for technology and transportation. There are training grounds spaced over the entirety of campus as well as few smaller gymnasiums and shooting ranges to allow teams the opportunity to train privately.”
“Where are the dormitories?” Ryan asked.
He didn't want to sound interested, but the campus was fairly impressive. He doubted the dorms would be of the same caliber. In his mind he could picture the type of residences the student Belligerents lived in: small rooms with a cot and no windows, doors that locked from the outside, and complete isolation outside of classes. He had heard the rumors. No one knew what a Belligerent academy was like except for the Belligerents, Owners and the school staff. Elites, Commoners, and Exempts never had a reason to set foot on a Belligerent campus and often debated over the true nature of the campus. As a former Commoner, Ryan had participated in those speculations quite often.
Shifter chuckled and pointed to a spot in the distance. “That would be your residence.”
Ryan squinted as he tried to make out exactly what it was that Shifter was trying to indicate. Across the large lake, on a cliff, there seemed to be some kind of boxlike structure. It was huge and had no windows. Those were the only details that Ryan could decipher.
“What’s that?”
“That is the villa you will be sharing with your seven roommates. Each group has their own villa. You're expected to look after yourself here, but I'm certain that will be nothing new to you,” Shifter said but Ryan didn't bother to respond. “We should be heading to Dupin's office.” Shifter seemed annoyed with Ryan's attitude. What did the man expect from him? Had his other Belligerents been happy to be kidnapped? Ryan followed behind Shifter as the man confidently made his way down the dimly lit hallways coming to a stop only to knock loudly on a thick, wooden door.
“Dupin,” he called out a little too cheerfully.
The door swung open revealing a frowning man. “Shifter,” he remarked, not bothering to hide the frustration in his tone. He glanced at Ryan and a frown appeared on his face. “It seems that the rumors were correct. This is your new ward?”
“This is Ryan. Ryan, this is Dr. Dupin. He is the current headmaster of Proserpine Academy.”
Dr. Dupin was probably about Shifter's age, but he didn’t have the same relaxed manner or mischievous look in his eyes. Instead, he was tense and chaotic. His hair was messy, sticking up in several directions as if he had been tugging at the strands. Stubble crawled across his face and his suit was disheveled to the point that he might as well have worn a t-shirt and jeans for the professionalism it exuded.
“Hey,” Ryan greeted in a nearly polite tone, but all he received for his efforts was an absent nod.
“Are you sure you know what you're doing, Shifter? I thought after what happened to-” Dupin trailed off and glanced over at Ryan. “I thought you would take the last threat seriously. You plan to bring more people into this danger?” In a lower tone, Dupin continued, “Are you going to endanger him?”
Shifter's grin never faltered. “Don't worry about me, Dupin. I've got everything handled. I'm just here to drop off Ryan and check in on the others.”
“I don't worry about you. I'm concerned about all the drama I'll be asked to handle when things go sideways.”
Shifter waved his hand as if shooing away the concern. “I'd like to get Ryan settled, if you please. I do have other business today.”
Dupin grunted and turned to address Ryan. “First off, there are some rules,” he began. “Students are not permitted to kill each other. Injuring each other in ways that will leave a permanent disability is also not allowed, however, we understand that accidents occur and each situation will be looked into to adjudicate the intent and circumstances.”
Ryan shook his head in disbelief. What kind of academy needed a rule about killing? “That’s it for rules?” he asked.
The doctor shook his head. “Students also must wear their uniforms when attending lessons. Now for what you will need. Come.”
Dupin beckoned as he disappeared into his office. Following behind, Ryan noticed the room was as unorganized as Dr. Dupin, but it seemed the headmaster knew exactly where everything was like a blind person in their own apartment.
“Here,” the man said handing Ryan a tablet. It was thinner, more advanced and newer than Alex’s tablet. “Do not lose this. You will need it for your classes. It contains the handbook, the academic and athletic calendar, a map of the campus and your class schedule. One of your teammates will probably help you download your textbooks onto it as well as show you how to access any online assignments. I'm certain Clarisse will help you get hold of anything else you might need.”
“Who's Clarisse?”
“You're about to meet her,” Shifter assured him from the doorway. “Speaking of which, any idea where my team might be?” he asked Dr. Dupin.
“Forgotten your tracker?” Dr. Dupin asked as he pulled a slim device from among pile of objects covering his desk.
Shifter grinned. “You know me,” he said.
“What is that?” Ryan asked, not wanting to appear curious but desperate to know the capabilities of the tracker.
“All Owners, instructors, and disciplinary squad members have a tracker in order to be able to locate the student Belligerents. It tracks your band. Could I borrow that for a moment?” Shifter said as he held out his hand expectantly towards the doctor.
Dr. Dupin sighed but handed it over, and Shifter motioned for Ryan to extend his arm.
“It can also do this,” Shifter explained as he held the device over Ryan's band. There was a short beep and then a hologram appeared with an image of Ryan as well as a listing of his name, weight, height, hair color, eye color, blood type, current heart rate, blood-oxygen level and identification number. Listed under “Owner” was Shifter's name - just “Shifter,” no last name or anything else to identify the mysterious man. The last spot labeled “specialty” was populated with the word “transportation.”
Shifter handed the device back to Dr. Dupin. “The location of my team if you would be so kind.”
“You really should keep yours handy.” Dr. Dupin didn’t look amused. He took the tracker back and tapped the screen a few times. “It appears that they are all out on the sands.” In response to Ryan’s inquisitive look, the doctor explained, “The grounds by the lake.”
“Well,” Shifter said as he stood and clapped his hands together, “if that is all?”
“It is,” Dr. Dupin assured a little too quickly.
“Then, we'll be on our way. Ryan?” Shifter gestured toward
s the door.
Ryan placed the tablet in the messenger bag that Shifter had insisted he carry with him then made his way out of the office.
“Ryan,” Dr. Dupin called after him, “try not to die.”
“Um… Thanks?”
When they were outside the office and nearly out of the building, Shifter turned to face Ryan. “I don't care how you feel about me. You may think whatever you want about me because I am nothing more than your Owner. When it comes to your teammates though, I suggest that you tread carefully. They are now the only people that I would recommend you trust.”
Chapter 5
The large paintings chosen by Clarisse and Aria to decorate the villa made excellent hiding places for machetes. A new batch of weapons crafted specifically for them was just one of the rewards Shifter had granted Eva and Logan for their victories in the pit games despite the fact that they had to pull out from the last bouts.
“Last one,” Eva said as she hung up the machete then straightened the picture to cover it. She sensed Mackenzie coming up behind her and turned to greet the strategist. “Working, Mac?”
Mackenzie gave a short nod then pulled her attention from her tablet to look at Eva. “It seems like I'm always working lately.” Her lips curled up into a tired smile. “How did Logan do in the pit this time?”
Eva had wondered when Mackenzie would finally get around to asking. The strategist had been unusually distracted lately.
“He did fine. He needs to improve his aim if he's going to insist on throwing the harpoon. And I would prefer if he moved a little quicker on his feet. However, those are issues that can be easily dealt with.” Well, they were issues that could be easily dealt with once Logan got tired of complaining about the change in his exercise regimen.
Mackenzie stood silent for a moment. “I want you to lead a training session this afternoon on the sands.”
Eva bit back her protest. She was fine, thanks to being granted a trip to the healing pods, but Logan still nursed bruised ribs. Everyone continued to wax melancholic whenever they stepped onto the training grounds, despite the fact that it had been nearly three months since the incident.
Belligerent (Vicara) Page 4
