Chapter 20
Rowan
She’s something unique and deserves a future of her choosing.
I grasped onto my commander’s words as we joined the crowd of partying trainees.
A few gave us confused looks before parting to let us pass.
I still wore the same pants and the white short-sleeved tunic I’d thrown on the day before.
They stuck to my swollen, sweat-streaked body, displaying every corded muscle.
My commander’s blacks were disheveled from our fight, and a bruise crept up his neck.
I’d never gotten into a fight with someone above me in the chain of command. Ezra started it, but instead of rolling over and letting him beat the crap out of me, I’d fought back, and now he moved forward like it never happened.
I tried to follow his lead, but Ezra was my commander. Nothing about how I handled this situation was right. I should’ve told him the second I felt it. Instead, I’d left her bleeding and unconscious. I deserved every bruise he gave me. How big a piece of shit was I?
My commander should have obliterated me before casting me out of the family.
We made it to the front as the five men, including Quinn, started spinning in place.
A sixth stepped in front of them. “Spiritual doesn’t only encompass healing, but art and culture,” the representative of the spiritual alignment said, spreading his dramatic flared sleeves wide.
“We all know how important first impressions are. Watch and reflect. These subtle changes will affect what you think of our volunteers.”
The first man stopped spinning, his dark suit now patterned.
The second planted his feet, his hair no longer wild around his head, but up in a mohawk that reminded me of the Westwater family.
I didn’t watch the next two end their performance.
I don’t think anyone did. Talking ceased, leaving only the musicians in the far corner, plucking out their jaunty tune.
Quinn’s spinning form sparkled with blood-red and forest-green magic.
She spun faster and flung her arms out. A smile of pure joy filled her face.
Her frilly tunic and trainee trousers unraveled, the pieces whipping the man at her side before bursting into a cloud of glittering diamonds.
Ezra stepped past me as if to climb the stage, but froze as Quinn came to a stop.
Her smile turned pained under the full weight of the room. She struck a pose. “Ta-da?”
“Ah, and maybe not so subtle,” the spiritual announcer said, his mouth agape.
My heart beat in my throat. Quinn, the woman, stood above me, wrapped in forest green, blood red, and draped in a gauze of sparkling gems. Curves I couldn’t ignore. My thoughts went straight to places they shouldn’t. My declaration that I didn’t want her echoed in my ears.
“What the fuck, sister?” Hero’s voice rang through the Great Hall.
Everly cackled, and suddenly, the room burst into motion.
A man in the same line as Quinn turned and gave her a little bow.
The spiritual announcer joined him. Brit, Everly, and the Lawson appeared at Quinn’s back.
Both Everly and Brit rested their arms on Quinn’s short shoulders, claiming the woman.
Ezra took another step forward, but I grabbed my commander, holding him here.
“It’s done,” I said, surprised I was the one holding him back. “Anything else you do will bring her more attention.”
Ezra took a deep breath. He looked at me, and for a brief moment, I thought he was going to ask for my guidance. Shit. I’d braced for punishment, but maybe rank wasn’t even on his mind
Ezra straightened and jerked out of my grip. “You’re right.”
“What now?” I asked.
My commander turned. “If she will not make the right choices, then I will make her too exhausted to make the wrong choices.”
I didn’t like the sound of that, but I nodded, not having a better idea.
Ezra looked at the raised stage, though Quinn wasn’t visible on it anymore, before sauntering out.
“Rowan!” Joe called my name.
I turned to find him waving. After a final look at the stage, I made my way to the fight booth.
“Brit remembered my name,” Joe said.
I barked out a laugh. “Really, the powerhouse is a girl, and that’s what you focus on.”
Joe shrugged. “She could be a donkey for all I care. She’s not my girl and has nothing to do with me.”
Quinn’s heart, which now beat next to mine, jumped with joy before lust flared within it.
A part in the crowd showed the Lawson with his arms on her hips as he lifted her to the floor.
I’d left Quinn to the wolves, and now Lawson had his hands all over her.
I ground my teeth, and the crowd closed in around them, blocking my line of sight.
Before I could do something stupid, I turned to Joe. “You have no idea.”