CHAPTER FOUR
I wasn’t sure exactly what woke me the next morning. But when I opened my tired eyes, it was to find a black canine gaze pinned on me. I froze, the cobwebs of sleep releasing me in an instant.
The dog lay on his stomach in front of my makeshift bed—formed by two hay bales that I’d pushed together in the stable’s tack room—watching me intently, his stare unblinking. And going by the stiffness in his frame, he wasn’t pleased to see a relative stranger sleeping close to his den.
At least he hadn’t bitten my face off or anything.
Recognizing this particular Laelap, I said, “Morning, Chief.” My voice came out all croaky with sleep.
A new kind of tension invaded my muscles as my scalp prickled in awareness. We weren’t alone. My attention flew to the doorway.
And there was Talon.
His forearms braced on the doorjamb, he held himself with an unnatural stillness that was predator-like. His head was tilted downward slightly as he fixed a questioning gaze on me.
My belly did a dumb little flutter. He was just so superbly male. So incomparably enticing. And certainly a lovely view to wake up to.
Gods, what must it be like to be stuck in a body that didn’t really ‘fit’ you? He’d clearly made the best of it, which spoke of his strength and resilience. But even as you would likely become accustomed to the situation, it would surely never stop nagging at you.
I cleared my throat and very slowly sat up so as not to alarm the Laelap. “Good morning,” I greeted Talon.
He continued staring at me, a gleam of expectancy in his eyes. Expectancy of an explanation for my being here, I knew.
“I, uh, don’t quite trust that none of the godkin will slit my throat as I sleep.”
He did a slow blink.
“By forcing me to enlist, the Sovereigns are putting my life at risk,” I elaborated. “That they don’t value it might be enough to make some candidates decide to execute me in an effort to impress them.”
Pursing his lips, Talon pushed off the doorjamb and straightened. A brief line dented his brow, and I got the feeling he hadn’t considered that I’d be in danger from the other candidates. He gave me a long measuring look, probably chewing over whether or not to toss me out on my butt regardless.
“I won’t bother the animals or get in anyone’s way, I just want to spend my nights here,” I swore.
It was honestly amazing how just one look could brand you overconfident.
“I very much intend to be here for yet more nights to come, but that’s not because I’m of the opinion that it will be easy to pass whatever Xalbia is.” I was guessing it involved several tests and tribulations. “It’s because neither of the alternatives appeal to me.”
Talon seemed to chew on that for a moment. His gaze flitted around, taking in the small mess I’d made by moving hay bales and leaving my sack nearby.
“I’ll put everything back,” I assured him. “I’ll keep my stuff stashed in a corner where it’s not in the way. I’ll never leave any of it lying around, I swear.”
His eyes briefly narrowed in a Make sure you don’t forget warning. His gaze dipping to Chief, he let out a short whistle and then—without another look at me—walked away. Obediently, Chief got to his feet and padded out of the room, leaving me alone.
I blew out a long, relieved breath. That could have gone very differently.
I would have been grateful that he’d agreed to my request, but I got the sense that he’d only indulged me because he didn’t believe I’d be here after today.
He seemed to view me as a sheep who had been thrown into a wolf den—a sheep who would take the first ‘out’ they could find.
And why wouldn’t he think that?
I was human. Xalbia was no doubt designed to test godkin, who were stronger and physically tougher than mortals. I’d naturally struggle every step of the way.
Well, what a perfect stranger thought of me didn’t truly mean anything. Passing Xalbia? Now that was important.
Determination filling me, I pushed to my feet and stretched. Hay bales didn’t make the comfiest of beds, but I suspected that I’d gotten a better sleep here than I would have in the tent surrounded by the other candidates.
I did a little bending to work the kinks out of my back, listening to the sounds of Talon pottering around. A gentle neigh flitted through the air, making my mouth curve. The cacophony of noises that could be heard in stables and barns honestly calmed my soul.
Neighs. Snorts. Tail-swishes. Hoof stomps. Canine yips and barks. The crunch of straw. Adding to them was the bird song coming from outside.
Equally comforting were the scents of leather, hay, shavings, tack, and sweet feed that laced the air.
A bolt slid open, hinges creaked, and then a clicking sound caught my attention. Because it came from Talon. Okay, you couldn’t do that if you were missing a tongue, could you?
Then again … he was a dragon in human form. He could probably do all kinds of stuff.
I nabbed my sack from the corner and began crossing to the doorway. On exploring the stable block last night, I’d noticed a basin in the feed room, which also had an attached garderobe. I had plans to use it.
I made my way out of the tack room just in time to see Talon guiding his horse out of a stable. “Do you have a tongue?” I blurted out. Oh, hell.
He halted, his head very slowly swinging my way as his brows slid together.
Flushing, I swiped out a hand. “Sorry. Ignore me. I’m still half-asleep.” Turning, I swiftly took refuge in the feed room, silently cursing myself for being an absolute idiot.
I locked the door and eagerly shed my gown and undergarments, so glad to finally get out of them. Once I’d taken care of all my personal needs, I donned my fresh outfit and gathered my curls into a ponytail. The tunic and breeches fit fine, but I wasn’t crazy about the stiff material.
Talon was gone when I vacated the room, and I saw that two stables were now empty. I guessed that he either worked with the animals or just liked to take the horses out to graze in the mornings.
After I dumped my old clothes in the garbage container, I returned to the tack room. There, I righted the hay bales and tossed my sack into the corner out of the way. Once done, I strode out of the stables and began making my way to the food hall.
Nearing the courtyard, I felt my brow crease as I noticed that dozens of chairs now bordered it. In front of each seat was a bucket.
Huh.
Just then, Khalida came walking out of the candidates’ tent. Her gaze zipped to me, and some tension slipped from her shoulders. “I was looking for you.”
“I decided to sleep elsewhere,” I told her. “Wasn’t fond of the vibe in the tent.”
“It was probably a good call.”
“Have you eaten yet? I was just about to get breakfast before … What? Why are you pulling that face?”
She rubbed at her nape. “I wouldn’t recommending eating. Not yet.”
I frowned. “Why?”
She bit down on her lower lip. “I’m not allowed to give you any hints of what’s coming when it relates to Xalbia—it’s strictly forbidden. But I can recommend that you don’t eat yet. So don’t.”
I eyed her curiously. “Oookay.”
She slapped my back. “Good decision.”
Before I got the chance to wonder what might lie ahead, movement in my peripheral vision snagged my attention. I turned to see Ajax and two other officiates stalking toward the courtyard. Not long later, Talon joined the three males and let out a loud-as-hell whistle.
“Candidates, gather round,” Ajax called out.
“Good luck,” whispered Khalida.
“Yeah, thanks,” I mumbled before making my way to the nearest chair. I planted myself behind it, just as the other candidates did behind whatever seat they chose.
Many officiates also congregated around the area, but none came too close. It was clear that they intended to observe.
As not all of the candidates were outside yet, it took a few minutes before they were all in position.
Some were pale and nervous, their shoulders almost up to their ears.
Others stood tall, their chins up, anticipation cloaking them—which included Seneca, Atticus, and Bevan.
Then there were those who were rolling their shoulders and cricking their necks, looking like they were inwardly trying to psyche themselves up.
I merely stood still, keeping my breathing easy; clinging to the sense of determination that had earlier coursed through me.
Talon motioned for us to sit. I rounded the chair and, careful not to knock over the bucket, sat down. Once the others had done the same, Talon gave Ajax a nod.
Ajax turned to the crowd, his earthy skin tone marking him as Delphiae. “Talon requires no introduction—you will have heard plenty about the Cardinal of the Black Tapestry. My name is Ajax; I’m a Marshall within the Order, as are both Vesper and Keyes.”
Stocky and dark-skinned, Keyes tipped his chin in hello. Vesper inclined her head, making her long white ponytail dance slightly.
“The moment many of you have been waiting for has arrived,” Ajax continued. “Others of you may have been dreading it—a sign of intelligence, in truth, because what’s coming is no fun.”
I felt my brow crease as Talon walked off and disappeared behind the barracks.
“Before we begin,” said Ajax, “let us tell you about what it means to be an officiate within the Black Tapestry. As part of serving and protecting the Sovereigns, we control and enforce the security of the isle’s border.
As you’ll have heard, the half-bloods from the Dark Lands occasionally send their armies here—the rightful ownership of Deimos will always be contested. ”
Her hands perched on her slim hips, Vesper nodded.
“Theseus, Daedalus, Medea and Scylla may have voluntarily left, but this was their original home; they didn’t happily leave.
Sometimes they aim to ambush our force. Other times they aim to reach the city without detection.
It is our job to ensure that they don’t ever succeed. ”