32. Chapter 32 #2
Erick walked up to them, his hands up. He looked exasperated, like he didn’t get paid enough to deal with the two. “How about we use a pact? Allyah promises she is taking her directly to the festival, and Augrys promises to let Yareli go.”
Allyah eyed Erick like he was a guppy, and she wished nothing more than to fry him, but she said, “Deal.”
Augrys released her, and her arm dropped.
“What’s a pact?” Yareli whispered to Leo. She kept her eyes on the three in front of her, watching as Erick weaved a pattern in the air.
“It’s a binding, magical agreement. Once made, neither party can break their word without paying its steep price—a third of their magic. More importantly, are you going to go with her?” Leo replied.
“If what she said is true, then I have no choice but to go with her.”
“Stay safe.”
And with the pact, Allyah had to honor her word; she would take her to the festival.
She clenched her fists. It wasn’t lost on her that she had been pawned off like an object at the whim of a Fae with a mysterious fascination with her.
But there was no choice. Yareli had to win that festival for her family’s sake. Light shone between Allyah and Augrys.
“It’s done,” Erick said, gesturing at Yareli.
Augrys looked like he wanted to say something to her, but she shook her head and turned to the black-haired Fae.
“Let’s go then.”
“Start running, boys.” Allyah smirked and grabbed Yareli’s forearm, pinching harder than necessary. “I assume you know how to shadowstep.”
She didn’t give Yareli time to respond; the viscous fabric of bending the physical world hit her hard, but it was over quickly. Yareli fell to the floor, gasping from the shock.
“No vomit? Impressive.” Allyah waited for her, leaning against a wall and looking amused.
Yareli glowered.
Without a word, Allyah nodded to the left and began walking, leaving Yareli gaping after her.
But she couldn’t help but notice she moved the confidence of a leader used to being followed, and as indignant as she felt, Yareli followed her through the dark halls until they reached a set of doors leading outside.
A pair of servants, dressed in gold, opened the door as they approached.
Yareli tried not to gawk at the scene sprawling in front of her—vibrant red and black tents spanned the area, buzzing with activity.
“Welcome to the Fire Festival,” Allyah said, not sparing Yareli a glance.
“Fortunately, there’s no time for you to gawk like an idiot.
” She moved forward swiftly, her long legs taking her farther than Yareli’s own, and she scrambled after her through the tents toward a clearing where an open field awaited them.
A vast forest stood in the distance. An audience gathered next to the field, rapidly filling the wooden stands in a dark cloud of black uniforms. Allyah walked toward a grand tent erected to the left.
It stood taller than the stands, elevated by the platform underneath.
Sparse of any decorations, three seats sat in the middle ready to be filled.
Once Yareli was under the platform’s shadows, Allyah finally stopped, looking at the expansive, but noticeably empty field.
“The first challenge will take place here,” she stated.
Yareli squinted at the field. “What kind of competition? There’s not much out there.”
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
Knowing she wouldn’t get any hints, Yareli asked, “What’s in it for everyone else?”
“Increased merit to advance further in the military.”
Yareli glanced at the contestants trickling onto the clearing in front of the platform. “So, why aren’t there more participants?”
“Each entry must either be earned through exceptional performance or be gifted by a general,” Allyah replied, motioning to the group with her arm. “All of them have proved themselves worthy to participate. It is not meant for the weak-willed.”
Unable to piece together what Allyah’s plan was, Yareli decided to ask, “Why did you bring me here? You know my real identity.” I’m a human.
Allyah looked down at her nails. “I am offering you a chance to prove your worth. Show me your resolve to survive.”
Her careless words spiked Yareli’s anger, and she snapped, hurling the burning words that had festered in her chest since she remembered her. “I don’t have to prove myself to you. I survived the hell pit you were willing to cast me into. I’m only here to secure the Fire Court’s alliance.”
“Is that enough?”
“Enough?”
“Is that the only reason you’re here?”
No. Yareli knew it was only part of the reason; a selfish part of her wanted to win to prove her wrong. Another quieter but increasingly louder part of her wanted to participate in the hopes of becoming stronger.
She lied, saying, “Yes.”
Glee lit up Allyah’s features. “If that is so, then I was wrong about you.” She yawned, stretching her arms above her head. “Well, whatever the reason, it better be enough.” She stepped toward the stairs leading up to the platform. “Change into those.”
Without looking back, the Flame General snapped her fingers, and a stack of clothes materialized in front of Yareli. She picked it up, noting the fabric’s smoothness. She looked out at the group of participants, all wearing the same set. At least she wouldn’t stand out.