Tempest Awakening (The Dragonne Library #1)

Chapter 21

Tess

The insistent beeping of my alarm jolted me awake. For a moment, I lay there, disoriented, before the events of the past few days came rushing back. I wasn't just Tess the librarian anymore. I was Tess, the human bonded to a dragon.

My stomach did a nervous flip as I reached over to silence the alarm. 5:30 AM. My first official day as a dragon rider applicant was about to begin.

Whiskey, sensing my movement, leapt onto the bed with a soft meow. I buried my face in his fur, drawing comfort from his familiar presence.

"At least some things haven't changed, huh, buddy?" I murmured, my voice muffled.

As I sat up, running a hand through my tangled hair, my mother's voice echoed in my mind: "You're not special enough for this, Tess. Know your place." I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to banish the thought. No. I wouldn't let her doubts become mine. Not today.

"Good morning, little one," Thalon's voice resonated in my mind, warm and reassuring. "Are you ready for your first day?"

I took a deep breath, centering myself. "As ready as I'll ever be, I guess. Though I'm not sure two days of cramming is enough to prepare me for... well, whatever today brings. Will you be there?"

"No, little one. Most of the training for applicants happens without us dragons present."

"Oh," I said, feeling a twinge of disappointment and, if I'm honest, fear. Thalon had been my anchor these past few days. The thought of facing this new world without him by my side sent a shiver of anxiety through me. "I guess that makes sense. But it feels strange to be training to be a dragon rider without, well, the dragon."

"It may seem odd," Thalon agreed, "but there's much you need to learn before you're ready to work with us directly. The weekday training builds the foundations you'll need."

I nodded, absorbing this new information. "The weekend has been a blur of books and scrolls. I've practically lived in the library, absorbing every scrap of information I could about dragons and riders. And our evening talks have been amazing. But now, faced with the reality of my first day of training, I feel woefully unprepared."

A small voice in the back of my mind whispered, "Because you are unprepared. You don't belong here." I pushed the thought away, focusing instead on Thalon's presence in my mind.

"You've learned more than you realize," Thalon assured me. "Trust in yourself, and in our bond. Even when I'm not physically present, I'm always with you."

I took a deep breath, trying to draw strength from his confidence. "I'll try. I just hope I don't make a complete fool of myself out there."

"You won't," Thalon said firmly. "Now, you should get ready. Instructor Alvarez doesn't strike me as the type who appreciates tardiness."

With a groan, I swung my legs out of bed. "No, I don't imagine she does."

As I dressed in my workout clothes—the best I could find on short notice—I caught sight of myself in the mirror. The woman staring back at me looked the same as she had a week ago, and yet everything had changed.

"I can do this," I told my reflection, my voice stronger than I felt. "I'm more than what Mom always said I was. I'm here for a reason." The words felt foreign on my tongue, but also right. I straightened my shoulders, surprising myself with the determination I saw in my own eyes.

Yet, as I turned away from the mirror, a flicker of doubt crept in. Was I really ready for this? Could a human librarian truly become a dragon rider?

With one last scratch behind Whiskey's ears, I headed out the door. As I approached the training grounds, the cool morning air raised goosebumps on my bare arms. The space was just as big as I remembered, but this time, instead of pure intimidation, I felt a mix of excitement and trepidation.

I tugged self-consciously at the hem of my faded tank top, suddenly aware of how out of place I looked. Around me, the other applicants were decked out in sleek, high-performance athletic wear, looking like they'd stepped straight out of a fitness magazine.

I glanced down at my well-worn sneakers, the treads almost smooth from years of use. Athletics hadn't exactly been a priority for me lately, and it showed. A wave of insecurity washed over me, threatening to drown out the determination I'd felt earlier.

"You belong here, Tess," Thalon's voice whispered in my mind, a lifeline in the sea of my doubts. "Your worth isn't measured by your clothing or your physical prowess."

I took a deep breath, clinging to his words. "Thanks, Thalon," I thought back. "I just wish I felt as confident as you sound."

"Confidence will come with time and experience," he replied. "For now, focus on doing your best. That's all anyone can ask of you."

As I steeled myself for the day ahead, I noticed the other applicants eyeing me with curiosity and, in some cases, disdain. Their supernatural grace and obvious fitness only heightened my sense of inadequacy. How could I possibly compete with beings who were literally born for this?

"Tess!" A familiar voice cut through my spiraling thoughts. I looked up to see Mason jogging towards me, and my breath caught in my throat. His broad, muscular frame easily parted the crowd of applicants, and the morning sun gleamed off his dark skin.

"Hey," I managed, forcing a smile and trying not to stare. "Ready for this?"

Mason's warm brown eyes swept over me, concern evident in his furrowed brow. "Are you okay? How are you feeling about all this?"

Before I could answer, Kane sauntered up, his pristine workout gear highlighting his lean, athletic build. "Well, well, if it isn't our resident human librarian," Kane drawled, his voice smooth as silk. "Brace yourself. Instructor Alvarez isn't known for her gentle touch. She's more likely to make you cry than coddle you."

I felt my cheeks heat up, and not just from embarrassment. How was it fair that these two looked like they'd stepped out of a fantasy novel while I felt like a schlub in my old workout clothes?

Mason growled, low and menacing. "Back off, Kane. She doesn't need your snark right now."

Kane held up his hands in mock surrender. "Just giving her the lay of the land. No need to get your tail in a twist."

As they bickered, my mind raced. The reality of what I was about to face hit me full force. I wasn't just out of my depth; I was in an entirely different ocean. The doubts I'd been trying to push away all morning came rushing back with a vengeance.

"Breathe, little one," Thalon's voice cut through my panic. "Remember why you're here. Remember our bond."

I closed my eyes, focusing on the warmth of Thalon's presence in my mind. Yes, I was scared. Yes, I felt woefully unprepared. But I was also here for a reason. Thalon had chosen me, and that had to count for something.

Opening my eyes, I straightened my shoulders. "Thanks for the warning, Kane," I said, surprised by the steadiness in my voice. "But I'm not here for an easy ride. I'm here to learn, to grow, and to become the rider Thalon deserves."

The surprise on Kane's face was almost comical, and I felt a small surge of satisfaction. Maybe I didn't look the part, but I was determined to prove I belonged here, one challenge at a time.

As I was about to say more, movement caught my eye. Selena and Valen were stretching nearby, looking as if the events of Friday had never happened. My newfound confidence wavered.

"They're still here?" I blurted out, incredulous. "After what they did?"

Kane's expression turned serious for a moment. "Ah, yes. About that—"

But before he could explain, a sharp whistle cut through the air. "Alright, people! Fall in!"

Instructor Alvarez strode to the center of the training ground, her lean, athletic frame moving with a predator's grace. Her long, dark braid swung behind her as she turned, her presence commanding instant attention. Her intense amber eyes locked onto me, and I felt my stomach drop.

"Looks like we have fresh meat," she announced, her slightly raspy voice carrying across the field with military precision. "Listen up! We have a new applicant joining us. Tempest Whittaker, our first human trainee."

All eyes turned to me, and I fought the urge to shrink back.

Alvarez's gaze was piercing. "Let me make one thing clear. We don't do easy here. Human or not, you'll be held to the same standards as everyone else. Understood?"

I nodded, my throat suddenly dry. "Yes, ma'am."

"Good. Now, let's see what you're made of." Her amber eyes scanned the crowd. "Split into your assigned groups of twenty."

There was a shuffle as people moved into their predetermined groups. I glanced around, uncertain, until Kane grudgingly waved me over to join his and Mason's group. As I moved, I caught Selena's eye. She smirked, whispering something to Valen that made them both laugh.

I took a deep breath, trying to center myself. I was here to train, to learn, to become a dragon rider. I couldn't let Selena or anyone else's judgment distract me.

Alvarez continued, "Each group will take a different section of the grounds. Group leaders, you know your designated areas." She pointed to a winding path that snaked through our section of the training grounds, weaving around various obstacle courses and training apparatus. "Two laps of your section. Go."

As we broke into a run, Mason fell into step beside me. "Want some company?" he asked, easily matching my slower pace.

A part of me was touched by his offer, but a stronger part—the part that had been feeling like an outsider since I arrived—bristled at the idea of needing help. I was here to prove myself, to show that I belonged despite being human. How could I do that if I relied on others from the start?

Kane scoffed, jogging backwards to face us. "Really, Mason? You're going to hold yourself back for the newbie?"

I felt a flash of irritation at Kane's words. But he had a point—I needed to do this on my own.

"It's fine," I said, waving them off and hoping my voice sounded more confident than I felt. "Go on ahead. I'll manage."

Mason looked uncertain, but Kane was already pulling him away. "Come on, big guy. Let her prove herself."

As they sped ahead, I focused on keeping a steady pace, trying to ignore the stitch forming in my side. This was just the beginning, I reminded myself. The real challenge was yet to come.

But as the minutes ticked by, my confidence began to waver. My breath came in ragged gasps, and my legs felt like lead. All around me, the other applicants moved with supernatural grace and speed, their forms blurring as they lapped me.

"You can do this, Tess," I muttered to myself, but the words rang hollow in my ears. With each labored step, the gap between me and the others widened, a stark reminder of just how out of place I was.

As I rounded a bend, I noticed a petite young woman with long, jet-black hair also struggling to keep up. Unlike the others in their sleek, colorful athletic wear, she was dressed in all black, her outfit adorned with what looked like small, metallic charms.

My heart lifted a little. Maybe not all the applicants were superhuman athletes or hostile to newcomers. Taking a chance, I pushed myself to catch up to her.

"Mind if I join you?" I panted as I fell into step beside her.

She glanced at me, surprise evident in her striking violet eyes. For a moment, I worried she'd brush me off, but then her expression softened. "Be my guest," she replied, her voice soft.

Relief washed over me. At least one person here didn't seem to mind my presence. "I'm Tess," I managed between breaths.

"Anya," she responded with a small nod.

We fell into a companionable silence after that, both of us too focused on breathing and keeping our pace to attempt much conversation. But there was comfort in not being alone, in struggling alongside someone else who seemed to find this just as challenging as I did.

As we neared the end of our second lap, I could see Instructor Alvarez watching us with an unreadable expression. My legs felt like lead, and my lungs burned, but I forced myself to keep going.

Finally, mercifully, we crossed the finish line. I bent over, hands on my knees, gulping in air. Beside me, Anya didn't look much better off.

"Nice... job," she wheezed, offering me a tired smile.

I managed to return the smile between gasps. "You... too."

"Tess!" Mason's voice cut through my exhaustion. He jogged over, concern etched on his face. "Are you okay? That looked rough."

I straightened up, trying to hide how winded I was. "I'm fine," I said, not entirely convincingly. "Just... getting warmed up."

Mason's brow furrowed, clearly not buying it. But before he could say more, Instructor Alvarez's voice rang out.

"Alright, everyone! Refreshing warm-up, wasn't it? Now for the real challenge."

My heart sank. If that was just the warm-up, how could I possibly handle what came next? The doubt that had been creeping in during the run now threatened to overwhelm me.

Alvarez began explaining the next exercise. "This course is designed to test your ability to work with a partner and your individual skills. You'll navigate the first half with your assigned partner, then split up for the individual section."

As her words sank in, I found myself scanning the crowd of applicants. Selena and Valen were staring at me with predatory grins, and they weren't alone. Several other applicants were eyeing me with curiosity and disdain.

"Whittaker and Selena Nightshade!" Alvarez barked.

My heart plummeted. Of course. Because the universe clearly had it out for me today.

As Selena sauntered over, a smirk playing on her lips, I felt the last shreds of my confidence slipping away. How could I possibly keep up with her? How could I prove I belonged here when every moment only seemed to highlight how different, how inadequate I was?

"Try not to slow me down too much, human," Selena said, voice dripping with disdain.

I opened my mouth to retort, but no words came out. What could I say? She was right. I was going to slow her down. I was going to fail, and everyone would see it.

Alvarez raised her whistle, her amber eyes scanning the group. "We'll start in pairs, with ten seconds between each. When you hear the whistle, go."

As the first shrill blast sent two applicants sprinting towards the course, I closed my eyes, trying to center myself. But all I could hear was my own ragged breathing and the pounding of my heart, each beat seeming to whisper: You don't belong here. You don't belong here. You don't belong here.

Suddenly we were off. The first obstacle loomed before us—a twelve-foot wall with a single rope dangling from the top. My heart raced, not just from exertion but from the overwhelming feeling of inadequacy that threatened to paralyze me.

Selena sneered at me. "Try to keep up, human. I'll go first."

She gracefully leapt, catching the rope midway and scaling the wall with ease. Once at the top, she glared down at me. "Hurry up! I'm not losing because you can't climb a simple wall."

Grabbing the rope, I hauled myself up. The rough fibers bit into my palms, and my arms trembled with exertion. Each pull felt like it might be my last, my muscles screaming in protest. But with every inch I gained, I fought not just against gravity, but against my own self-doubt.

By the time I reached the top, I was already breathing hard, both from physical effort and the mental strain of battling my insecurities.

"Finally," Selena muttered, already halfway down the other side.

I swung my legs over and slid down, wincing as the friction burned through my pants. No time to rest—we had to sprint to the next challenge. My mind raced alongside my feet. How long could I keep this up? Was I fooling myself thinking I could compete at this level?

The second obstacle was a series of giant, interconnected tires partially buried in the ground. We had to navigate through them together, stepping in and out without losing our balance.

"If you trip me, I swear I'll make you regret it," Selena hissed as we started.

The tires were deeper than I expected, the rubber edges slick with morning dew. Each step required careful coordination, not just of my body but of my thoughts. I struggled to focus, to push away the creeping doubt that threatened to make me stumble more than any physical misstep.

Selena moved with frustrating ease, while I struggled to keep pace. My earlier doubts came rushing back, stronger than ever. I wasn't just fighting against physical exhaustion, but against the crushing weight of feeling out of place, of feeling like an imposter in this world of supernatural beings.

"Move faster!" Selena snapped from ahead. "You're slowing us down!"

I pushed myself harder, my legs burning with the effort. Halfway through, my foot caught on a tire's edge, nearly sending me sprawling. I managed to catch myself, but not before Selena noticed.

"Pathetic," she muttered, not even pausing to check if I was okay.

Shame burned hot in my cheeks. She was right, wasn't she? I was pathetic. What was I even doing here? These thoughts weighed me down more than any physical burden, making each step a monumental effort of will as much as strength.

After what felt like an eternity of awkward stepping and near-falls, we finally cleared the tire field. My legs were already shaking, but there was no time to recover—physically or mentally.

The third and final partner obstacle awaited—a massive cargo net suspended over a pit of thick mud. We had to crawl across it together to reach the other side.

"Try not to embarrass yourself too much," Selena said as we approached the net. "Though I suppose that's impossible for you."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves and quiet the storm of self-doubt in my mind. I could do this. I had to do this. Not just for myself, but for Thalon, for everyone who believed in me when I couldn't believe in myself.

We began to climb. The ropes were coarse and unyielding, digging into my hands and knees as I crawled. Each movement was a battle—against gravity, against fatigue, and against the relentless voice in my head telling me I didn't belong.

Selena moved ahead quickly, each of her movements causing the entire net to sway and bounce. The mud pit below seemed to grow larger with every forward crawl, a yawning chasm ready to swallow me whole—just like my doubts threatened to do.

As we neared the wooden platform at the end, I felt a surge of relief—we were almost there. Selena and I were neck and neck, both reaching for the edge of the platform.

Suddenly, Selena's form blurred with supernatural speed. In the blink of an eye, she was on the platform, leaving me still clinging to the net. Before I could process what had happened, I saw a familiar smirk cross her face.

Without warning, she grabbed the edge of the net and gave it a sharp, violent shake. The entire structure lurched, and I felt my grip loosen instantly. There was no time to recover, no chance to cling on.

"Oops," Selena's voice dripped with false concern as I felt myself falling.

Time seemed to slow as the mud pit yawned wide beneath me. In that moment, it wasn't just my body falling—it was every hope, every dream I'd had since bonding with Thalon. Then, in a heartbeat, I hit the surface with a squelch. The impact knocked the breath from my lungs, and thick, cold muck covered my face. I flailed, trying to orient myself in the viscous mess, feeling just as lost in my own doubts and fears.

As I broke the surface, gasping and spluttering, I saw Selena watching from the platform with a smirk.

"Guess humans really don't have any balance," she called out, already turning to leave.

Humiliation burned hot in my chest, threatening to consume me entirely. How could I have ever thought I belonged here?

For a moment, I stood there, dripping and dejected, the weight of the mud matching the heaviness in my heart. Selena was long gone, probably already tackling the individual obstacles with ease.

I closed my eyes, fighting back tears of frustration. Every doubt, every insecurity I'd had since arriving here seemed to coalesce into a suffocating cloud of despair. What was I doing here? I was just a librarian, a human among supernatural beings. I didn't belong.

Then, unbidden, Thalon's voice echoed in my mind, "You've got this, little one. Show them what you're made of."

His words cut through my self-pity, igniting a tiny spark of defiance. I was soaked, I was muddy, but I wasn't beaten. Not yet.

Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to focus on the next set of obstacles. A series of balance beams, slick with morning dew, stretched before me. I stepped onto the narrow wooden plank, arms outstretched. The beam wobbled, but I concentrated on each step, ignoring the jeers from other applicants as they sped past.

As soon as my feet touched solid ground, I was faced with a line of low hurdles. My legs protested, but I pushed on, clearing each one with gritted determination. A stumble here, a near-fall there, but I kept moving. With each obstacle I completed, the spark of defiance grew a little stronger.

Then I saw it—the final individual obstacle. A dauntingly steep hill that seemed to stretch endlessly upward. Its surface was a treacherous mix of loose gravel and slick grass, almost vertical in places.

I watched as other applicants tackled it with their supernatural abilities. Some bounded up in great leaps, others seemed to float, defying gravity. A few transformed into forms better suited for climbing.

Standing at the base, I felt the weight of every doubt I'd ever had about belonging here. The hill seemed to grow taller as I stared at it, a physical manifestation of the challenge before me. But I'd come too far to give up now.

I closed my eyes, centering myself. The sounds of the training ground faded away, replaced by the steady rhythm of my own heartbeat. I thought of Thalon, of our bond, of the belief he had in me even when I couldn't believe in myself.

Opening my eyes, I took my first step onto the hill. Immediately, I felt the strain in my legs, the way the loose surface shifted treacherously under my feet. But I kept going, one agonizing step at a time.

It was grueling. Every movement was a battle against gravity and exhaustion. My muscles screamed in protest, and more than once, I slipped, sliding back several feet before managing to stop myself. The mud still coating my body made everything worse, adding weight and making it hard to get a grip on anything.

Halfway up, my foot hit a particularly loose patch of gravel. I fell to my knees, then began to slide backward. For a heart-stopping moment, I thought I would tumble all the way back down. Panic clawed at my throat as I scrabbled for purchase on the unforgiving slope.

But as I fought to stop my descent, something shifted inside me. The voice of doubt that had been my constant companion suddenly seemed less convincing. Yes, this was hard. Yes, I was struggling. But I was still here, still fighting.

Gritting my teeth, I dug my fingers into the earth, ignoring the pain as stones and twigs bit into my skin. I pulled myself up, found my footing, and pushed on. The top of the hill still seemed impossibly far, but for the first time since the course began, I felt a flicker of genuine hope.

This wasn't just about finishing an obstacle course anymore. This was about proving to myself that I belonged here, that I had the strength to face whatever challenges lay ahead. With each step, my resolve grew stronger, drowning out the lingering whispers of doubt.

When my hand finally grasped the marker at the summit, I almost couldn't believe it. With a final, monumental effort, I pulled myself up, collapsing onto the flat ground at the top. For a moment, I just lay there, chest heaving, muscles trembling, but filled with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.

I'd done it. Despite everything—the doubts, the exhaustion, the sabotage—I'd made it to the top.

As I stood, surveying the course I'd just conquered, I heard familiar voices approaching.

"Tess!" Mason called out, concern evident in his deep voice. He jogged up, his brow furrowed as he took in my mud-caked appearance. "What happened out there? You're covered in mud."

I hesitated, the memory of Selena's betrayal fresh in my mind. But something held me back from revealing it. Maybe it was pride, or maybe I just didn't want to seem like I was making excuses.

"It's nothing," I said, trying to sound nonchalant. "Just had a bit of a tumble on one of the obstacles."

Mason looked skeptical, but before he could press further, Kane sauntered over, his pristine appearance a stark contrast to my muddy state.

"Well, well," he drawled, a smirk playing on his lips. "I suppose a course like this would be quite the challenge for a human librarian. At least you made it to the end... eventually."

I felt a flash of anger at his condescension, but it was quickly replaced by a surge of pride. Yes, I had made it to the end. Despite everything, I'd finished the course.

Before I could retort, Instructor Alvarez's voice cut through the air.

"Alright, that's enough for today. Class dismissed." Her amber eyes fixed on me. "Except you, Whittaker. A word."

As the other applicants began to disperse, some shooting curious glances my way, I approached Alvarez. Her face was impassive, giving no hint of what she was thinking.

"Your performance today," she began, her tone matter-of-fact, "was far from exemplary."

I braced myself for a harsh critique, but Alvarez continued in the same neutral tone.

"Your physical conditioning needs significant improvement. Your time was well below average, and your technique on several obstacles was sloppy at best."

I felt my shoulders slump slightly, but Alvarez wasn't finished.

"However," she said, her gaze sharp, "you demonstrated a level of determination that some of your more physically gifted classmates would do well to emulate. You faced each challenge, no matter how difficult, and you didn't give up."

I blinked, surprised by the hint of approval in her voice.

"Don't mistake this for praise, Whittaker. You have a long way to go. But if you can combine that determination with improved skills and conditioning, you might just surprise a few people." She paused, then added, "Including yourself."

As I hurried back to my quarters, exhausted but oddly buoyant, I felt Thalon's presence in my mind.

"I'm proud of you, little one," he said warmly. "You showed great courage."

"Thanks, Thalon," I replied silently, a small smile tugging at my lips despite my fatigue. "I think... I think I might actually deserve a chance here after all."

"Of course you do," Thalon's mental voice was filled with affection. "You've always deserved this chance. You just needed to realize it yourself."

As I reached my room, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I was a mess—covered in mud, hair wild, clothes torn. But the woman staring back at me wasn't defeated. Her eyes shone with a newfound determination, a quiet resolve that hadn't been there this morning.

I might not be the fastest, the strongest, or the most naturally gifted. But I was here, I was learning, and I was growing. And that, I realized, was what truly mattered.

This small victory felt precious, fragile. I just hoped the looming academic challenges and my ever-judgmental peers wouldn't shatter it before it had a chance to take root.