Chapter 19
NINETEEN
athena
“We use tiers in combat to strengthen our strategic performance,” Simon preached, going on and on about combat styles used by mystics.
Our training would be done in a matter of days, and the air had shifted greatly. As if a thin layer of fear blanketed our senses now, waking us up to the reality of our future.
“Tier ones,” he said, “can harness the elements. For example, they may summon rain or change the direction of the wind. Then there are tier twos. The most plentiful group. They often possess skills such as moving objects without touching them. Many of our shields are also tier two. Along with healers, empaths, and tech manipulators. When you discover a rogue mystic in the field, they’re likely to be a tier two. ”
He circled around us, making eye contact with each one of us as he continued. “Then there are the threes, like you.” A wave of silence fell over us. “The power of foresight. Illusion. The power of memory manipulation. Light wielding.” He stopped in front of Sinner. “The power of shadow wielding.”
My chest tightened, but Sinner didn’t react. He looked straight ahead—hands clasped behind his back. He was the perfect soldier. An obedient mystic. Or so he appeared.
Because in truth, he hated this. He hated being forced into a box. Hated being assessed like he was just another animal in the pack.
Sinner wasn’t one to be controlled.
“And then—” Simon stepped in front of me. “It’s not likely, but it’s possible that you’ll run into a tier four. They’ll be nearly impossible to distinguish. They’ll be even more difficult to overpower. Their power makes them the ultimate threat.” His eyes darkened. “Or the ultimate ally.”
Discomfort seeped into my veins, but I forced myself not to move.
When he finally moved on, I let out a shaking breath.
“These powers include manipulation and destruction at the highest form. They’re so rare—actually—that we know very little about the exact magic they possess.
Mind whispering—such as what our friend Athena here is capable of—is one of the most dangerous.
You will be manipulated without even knowing it’s happening. ”
The weight of the scrutiny of the other cadets landed on me, but I stood still. There was nothing I could do. They already knew the truth.
“Why don’t you send her out into battle on her own, then?” Florence asked. “If she’s so powerful, can’t she just manipulate our enemies and end this all quickly?”
“That’s a great question,” Simon answered respectfully.
“This is one reason these war games are so important. Not only will Athena’s abilities be tested, but the Ministry can study her and learn more about the magnitude of her magic.
The games provide an authentic, reliable place for you to test what you’re fully capable of. ”
“She’s a mind whisperer, though, right? Can’t she just…slip into the minds of our enemies and bend their will?” Florence pushed.
My face flushed.
That’s why I was here, wasn’t it? They wanted to control my magic. They wanted to use me as their pawn.
I wouldn’t allow it.
There was no way in hell I’d let them manipulate me into killing innocents for their cause.
“Fuck off,” Alexander barked. “She just learned she had magic. She hasn’t had a lifetime to become a professional at it.”
Dread rolled through me. How did he know that? Or had he just made it up? I supposed that I could appreciate it regardless.
Sinner, though, did not appreciate it. He was glaring at Alexander with enough intensity to burn a hole in the guy’s head.
I rolled my eyes.
“Our four is proceeding with the same magic as the rest of you. This is your entry point into the Ministry, and it’s only the beginning of our fight,” Simon continued.
“Anyway. Tonight is your last free night before the war games. Tomorrow, you’ll be required to attend Bellum Partium—a ball to celebrate the commencement of the games.
Many officials from the Ministry will be in attendance, including Director herself.
After, you’ll spend the rest of the night with your claimed—preparing for the war games. ”
He stopped pacing and stared at us. “Everything is about to change. Take a look at your life now. It will not be the same in four days’ time.”
My stomach twisted. God, I hoped not. I couldn’t keep on this way. I couldn’t keep pretending I was on board with this. And I couldn’t keep training as if I were one of them.
Hell, I couldn’t even keep up a friendly facade. We were about to face each other—and god knew what else—in the war games.
Sinner and I had to get the fuck out of here. That had been the mission from the beginning.
“You’ve trained well today,” Simon announced. “Go eat dinner. Retire early. You’ll need your rest for Bellum Partium.”
The moment we were dismissed, I turned on my heel and headed toward the mess hall.
“Athena,” Simon called after me before I’d gotten far. “A moment, please.”
I stopped dead in my tracks, a cold discomfort flooding me.
Sinner stopped, too, though he lingered a few feet behind me as I turned to face Simon.
“What is it?” I asked.
He dipped his head and waited for the rest of the cadets to move out of earshot. When he straightened, he noticed Sinner and gave him a hard look.
“I’m not leaving,” Sinner said. “She’s my claimed, so whatever you have to say to her, you can say it to me, too.”
I rolled my eyes again.
But Simon just huffed, accepting this small defeat. “Fine,” he said. “We need to talk.”
“About what?” I tilted my head, stretching my neck, desperate for a break from the blaring afternoon sun. It had been another grueling day of training. My muscles ached, my bones creaked, and I probably had ten new bruises to add to my collection.
On top of the physical training, magic training had been exhausting. Even the small sliver of magic they allowed us under supervision was not enough to truly wield.
“This is a sensitive topic. I don’t want you to get defensive.”
I sighed. “That isn’t a great way to start a conversation, Simon.”
He closed his eyes and exhaled. Like he was unsure of himself. It was disorienting to see him like this. He’d been our commander. Our trainer. Nothing more, nothing less.
He was one of Director’s servants. That was it.
But this was…oddly human of him.
“There’s been a breach in our forces,” he said quietly. “It’s been rumored that some members of the defiance are infiltrating our guards.”
“The defiance?” I repeated. “I thought the defiance was a made-up group that rogue mystics told campfire stories about?”
He looked at me from beneath his thick lashes. “I’m telling you the defiance is real. So real, in fact, that we take any threat of their impending presence very seriously.”
“Okay…” I searched his face. “Why are you telling me this? Why not tell the others?”
He shifted on his feet and crossed his arms. “You're our strongest mystic here, Athena. We haven’t had a four in the barracks for as long as I’ve worked here. If there are anti-Ministry mystics infiltrating this camp, it’s you they’re coming for.”
I stilled. A chill ran through me—nervousness? Excitement? I wasn’t sure.
“Are you saying Athena’s in danger?” Sinner chimed in.
“No,” he said. “The opposite, actually. We’ve increased patrols around your building. Director has given very strict orders to keep you safe.”
Safe. I wanted to laugh. This place was filled with my enemies. They may not have realized it, but their presence was no protection.
“I mention this so you’ll stay vigilant. I know you were brought here against your will,” he said, voice softening. “But I hope you’ve come to understand our way of life. We are not monsters, Athena. We are simply trying to create better lives for mystics.”
I truly had nothing to say to that. If the rebel mystics out there posed a threat, that meant there was hope for us. Hope that we weren’t the only ones still fighting. Hope that pretending to be part of the freaking fight might actually pay off.
But I was terrified. What if we never made it out?
What if the defiance came for us—came to get Sinner and me—and were killed in the process?
No. It wasn’t worth the risk.
I wasn’t worth the risk.
“Fine.” I nodded once. “I’ll be careful.”
I turned to walk away again.
“Another thing,” he called. “Remember who you are. Who you really are. Don’t let politics distort your strength. You are capable of things other mystics here will never see again in their lifetime. I’ve sensed it in you.” His eye twinkled. “Use that strength wisely.”
“What the hell did he mean by that?” Sinner asked.
“By what?” I asked, feigning confusion.
“I don’t know, the time is just strange.” He marched aggressively at my side, never looking me in the eye.
As much as I hated to admit it, I knew him. And I understood this look.
“You’re nervous,” I said quietly.
He stopped outside the mess hall and faced me. “Of course I’m nervous. Something doesn’t feel right about this.”
I blew out a sharp breath. “And you’re just now noticing that?!”
“No. But it’s getting harder to ignore.”
He was right. Shoulders falling, I asked, “Did you hear what he said about the defiance? Do you think they really exist? Do you think they’re coming?”
“I don’t know,” he said, staring somewhere past my shoulder. “I’ve heard stories. My mother used to whisper things about the defiance from time to time. I’ve held on to hope…but I’ve never seen it for myself.”
A bolt of shock hit me at the mention of his mother. This was the first time he’d ever spoken of her to me.
“I just hope they don’t come all this way for me. I don’t want anyone else getting hurt because of me.”
“Yeah,” I said. “I know the feeling.”
We hadn’t talked since he—well, since that night on the rocks.
It was better that way.
Things were getting too messy. Too complicated.
And this? The resistance closing in? It was messy.
I didn't mention the letter Leon had left under my pillow. I didn’t have to.