Chapter 13
Harlow
The late afternoon sun beats down on us as we gather in the courtyard. The air is thick with humidity and nervous energy.
I wipe my palms on my shorts, trying to calm my racing heart. This is it.
We were told to convene here for an announcement. I’m sweating bricks.
There is a whole lot of chatter coming from all the groups.
Some Tributes look thrilled at the prospect of moving forward, while others appear ready to bolt for the jungle.
I don’t blame the latter group – the idea of facing actual dragons is terrifying.
Even I’m a little nervous, and I already faced one.
The thought of a whole horde of the things makes my palms sweat.
I won’t be able to bond with any of them because I’m already bonded to Drake’s dragon, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be killed by one of them. Because I can.
“I bet they’re going to tell us that Can’t-Hold-On-Harlow gets another chance at Sky’s Edge tomorrow morning.
” Becca’s voice cuts through the noise like nails on a chalkboard.
She’s standing with her usual cluster of followers, arms crossed and wearing a smug expression.
“Maybe she can actually get through it this time.”
“Doubtful,” a mean bitch called Ellie snickers. “Maybe she’ll go splat, and we can all move on already.”
Several people in their group laugh, and I feel heat rise in my cheeks.
I’m so sick of their crap! I raise my hand and give them the middle finger, holding it high enough for Ellie, Becca, and the rest of their shitty group to see.
Becca’s mouth drops open, and for a moment, I feel a surge of satisfaction. But that feeling evaporates when I notice movement at the courtyard entrance.
Drake strides in, followed by a line of trainers. He pauses, his gaze on my hand. On the crude gesture I’m making.
Crap.
Just my luck that he’s just in time to witness my retaliation. His eyes lock onto mine, and I see a whole lot of disapproval written on his face. His jaw tightens, and he averts his gaze.
Shit. Why did he have to see that?
Actually, I don’t care if he saw.
The trainers file onto an elevated section of the courtyard, forming a line behind Drake. It’s hard to believe that they are all dragon shifters. The knowledge makes them seem even more imposing than before.
Jordyn shoulder-bumps me. “Don’t waste any energy on the likes of them,” she whispers. “They’re not worth it.”
“I don’t plan to,” I whisper back, though my heart is still going nuts from the confrontation. “This is it, Jordyn.” I close my eyes briefly and say a silent prayer that everything goes according to plan. I really don’t want to ever have to make an attempt on Sky’s Edge again.
Drake raises his hands, and the courtyard falls silent.
“Welcome, everyone.” His deep voice carries easily across the space. “First, I want to commend you all on how you handled yesterday’s events at Sky’s Edge. I realize that witnessing the revelation about dragon shifters was a lot to process. You all took it in your stride like Sky Wardens should.”
Murmurs of agreement ripple through the crowd.
Apparently, we are descendants of the original Sky Wardens. The dragon riders of old. That’s what they were looking for in our DNA. Those individuals with the strongest markers were called to serve as Tributes.
Yay us!
Not!
Drake’s expression grows more serious. “I have good news to share with you today.”
Jordyn and I exchange a look. My stomach clenches tight, and I pull in a deep breath.
“You are all ready to move to the next phase of your training,” Drake continues, his gaze sweeping across the assembled Tributes. “You have all successfully passed Sky’s Edge.”
My breath catches. He doesn’t look at me as he says it, keeping his expression schooled, but I know what this means. I’m not going to have to attempt that deathtrap of an obstacle course again. I bite back a smile.
Yes!
But not everyone is pleased with this announcement.
“Wait, what?” Becca’s voice cuts through the chatter.
“What do you mean we’ve all passed? She didn’t complete it!
” She points directly at me, her face flushed with anger.
“Harlow fell off that net! She didn’t make it through in time.
What makes her so special that she gets to skip ahead? That’s favoritism!”
Several other Tributes murmur agreement, though I notice just as many looking relieved that we all get to move forward.
Drake’s expression darkens, his jaw clenching as he stares down Becca with an intensity that makes several people take an involuntary step back.
“Harlow survived a dragon encounter,” he says, his voice carrying a dangerous edge. “She also survived a night in the jungle. I’d say that demonstrates the kind of courage and resilience we’re looking for in potential riders. She passes.”
“But that’s not fair,” Becca argues. “You’re giving her special privileges. You—”
“The decision was made by the members of the Council,” Drake cuts her off sharply. “It is final. Anyone who has a problem with that is welcome to send a formal complaint.”
The threat in his voice is unmistakable, and Becca’s mouth snaps shut.
Good! I dislike her immensely.
“Leave her alone,” someone shouts.
“Yes!” Jordyn shouts. “Mind your own business.” She winks at me.
“I don’t want to face the dragons,” someone else yells, their voice shrill.
“Me neither,” someone else says.
“I can’t wait!” Becca throws her arms in the air. She and Ellie hug.
I roll my eyes.
“Tomorrow morning, you will all leave for the dragon riders’ camp,” Drake continues, and the chatter dies down. “Shortly after your arrival, you will make your mind-bonding attempts.”
“Is there any other way?” a Tribute calls out, his voice cracking slightly. “I mean, do we all have to try to bond? What if we don’t want to?”
“I’m scared,” another voice adds, and I recognize it as Georgia, one of the quieter Tributes. “I saw you shift yesterday. Your dragon is ginormous. Bigger than I ever imagined, and I don’t want to die.”
Drake’s expression softens. “I’m afraid that you all have to make an attempt. There is no getting out of that requirement.”
“So we might end up dead?” a voice shouts from the back of the group.
“I don’t want to die,” Georgia whimpers.
A chill runs down my spine, since it will be a reality for several Tributes. There are always casualties.
“Try to focus on bonding. Try not to let fear take over. It will do you no favors. If you don’t end up bonding, you get to go home,” Drake says, his tone growing more encouraging.
“Many humans can’t, even those who are descendants of the Sky Wardens.
If you can’t form a bond and you are not lost, you may leave this island. ”
Lost. I hate that word. Why can’t they just say dead?
“My suggestion is that you try. Don’t scream, don’t run.
Stand your ground and try as hard as you can.
You’ll have a better chance of surviving the attempt if you do.
Trust me when I tell you that there is nothing better than forming a bond with a dragon.
You might even find you like it. Once you get through rider training and you are still insistent on leaving, we will consider granting you your wish. ”
There’s something almost wistful in his voice as he speaks about bonding with dragons. I think about what it felt like when his dragon’s voice echoed in my mind, the strange sense of connection I experienced, even through my fear.
“We can’t force you to fight this war,” Drake continues, “but we can remain hopeful that you will come to love being riders. That you will choose to stay. That you will choose to fight for peace.”
Grumbles and excited whispers break out across the courtyard. The reactions are mixed – some Tributes look thrilled at the prospect of bonding with dragons, while others appear ready to faint.
“I don’t want to bond a dragon and end up stuck here for the rest of my life. What about my friends and family back home?” Jackie asks. She’s a quiet woman who mostly sticks to herself.
Drake nods. “Riders do visit home from time to time. You have already signed a nondisclosure agreement. You wouldn’t be able to breathe a word about what goes on here, but you would be able to leave Draig Island on vacation.
I don’t want to get into all the details right now.
By the end of tomorrow, you will either start your training as a rider, or be on your way home, or… ” He pauses. “You will be lost.”
Several Tributes start crying openly now. Others look shell-shocked, their faces pale and drawn. A few, like the group that includes John and Georgia, huddle together for comfort.
Becca and her gang high-five each other. I don’t wish death on anyone, but if someone has to die, I do know who I would pick. I instantly feel guilty for even thinking it. Hopefully, no lives are lost.
“I’m not ready,” Georgia shouts. “We need more training.”
“There is very little training we can give to help you with a mind-bond,” Drake tells us once the noise dies down slightly.
“We attempt to prepare you as much as possible. Everything we have done here at the Academy, including Sky’s Edge, is designed to make you braver and stronger.
But the bottom line is that some will have the ability, and some will not.
It’s really as simple as that. We will only know for sure when you stand before the unbonded dragons. ”
“Dragons that can kill us,” John shouts, his voice tight with fear.
Drake nods. “Unfortunately, that is true, but there’s nothing any of us can do to change that.
You have to face the dragons; that’s simply how the process works.
” His expression grows more serious. “I wish everyone luck. Remember: do not run, do not turn your backs on the dragons. Do not show your fear, if you can help it. You will be thoroughly briefed on all the dos and don’ts before you face them.
Most Tributes who are killed fail to follow these basic rules. ”