Legacy Of Trill: Soulbound Part 5

Trayton bit into some b.u.t.tered toast to hide his smirk, but Darius propped his foot up on the chair next to me and met my eyes. aThat would mean a lack of loyalty on the part of forty Barrons at the same exact moment, Kaya. Itas not an impossible idea, but extremely unlikely. Forty Barronsa"skilled men and womena"stand guard every night, watching the north and south gates. Ten stand inside each gate, and ten more guard each gate from outside. These Barrons are our best and brightest, our most skilled. I know. I personally chose them for their duties. If they banded together and decided to let two Graplars insideawell, I would be amazed by such blatant betrayal, yes, but also surprised by their immense stupidity.a aStupidity?a He nodded. aWhy let in just two? When you could let in an entire army, thousands of Graplars, tens of thousands of soldiers? Why just send in two beasts? It makes no sense. Not to me.a It didnat make much sense to me either. But then, not very much did these days. Like the way that Darius was acting.

Maddox piped up, aDarius, can I talk to you for a second?a With that still-troubled look on his brow, he turned and met with Maddox just feet away, where Maddox whispered feverishly. I didnat have the ability to read lips, but didnat need it. I knew what Maddox was saying. She was asking him if he would train me to fight and defend myself. Darius listened to her and after a moment, patted her roughly on the shoulder. He cast a glance back at our table before exiting the room, and in that moment Iad hoped more than anything that he was up for teaching me everything that he could. I wanted to learn. I needed to learn. Because while it was comforting to know that I was surrounded by a thousand skilled warriors whose job it was to protect Healers like myself, it wasnat enough. I and I alone was responsible for my well-being, and there was no way I wanted to play the weak and helpless Healer the next time Graplars got inside the wall. And after my b.u.mbled attempt and horrible injury this time, I wanted nothing more than to develop my own talents. Just in case.

Traytonas hand, soft and warm, closed over mine, bringing me out of my thoughts and back to the present. When my eyes found his, something strange and startling occurred to me. My life, as of the moment that the Graplars had appeared in the courtyard, had become split. Two worlds coexisting within one life. On one hand, I was Kaya: reluctant student to Instructor Baak, Bound Healer to Trayton. On the other, I was Kaya: the Healer who wanted to fight, the girl who couldnat resist stealing glances at Darius when Trayton wasnat looking. What kind of person did that make me? I felt terribly guilty for letting my eyes linger on Darius whenever he was neara"not to mention irritated at myself for doing so. Trayton was tender, caring, thoughtful, and gorgeous, and I was fortunate enough to be Bound to him. He was sweet to me, and I wanted to be sweet to him. We were meant to have a life together, to share a bond that might someday mean children and a home far away from the trials of war. But first, I had to stop looking at Darius in the way that made my imagination dredge up the night Iad seen him s.h.i.+rtless. After all, he was just a boy. And not a particularly nice one at that.

If I wanted to learn how to defend myself, my options were limited. But just because Darius might teach me didnat mean that I was cheating on Trayton. Did it?

My eyes widened hopefully. Trayton! Why hadnat I thought of him?

He smiled and once again, I was taken by how smooth and lovely his lips were. aYou look oddly happy for a girl who was very nearly devoured whole last night. Care to clue me in?a Giving his hand a squeeze, I leaned in close, keeping my voice low. aWould you tell me about katanas?a Immediately, his eyes darted to Maddox, who didnat seem to be paying us much attention at the moment. He hesitated before answering, and when he spoke at last, I was certain he was going to refuse my request. aIaIam not sure what it is that youare asking me for exactly. I could tell you about them, but any more would bea"a My shoulders sank in hopelessness, cutting off his words. He didnat have to finish speaking. I knew what head been about to say. Protocol. It would be against Protocol for a Barron to teach a Healer how to utilize weaponry. aAny more would be giving me at least the basics in how to defend myself. In case youare not around.a We watched one another for a long time, a heavy silence hanging between us.

At last, Trayton sighed, as if head been defeated. aCan you meet me in the armory tonight? After dark?a It was difficult to resist a grin. Why I hadnat thought of just asking Trayton before never occurred to me. He was skilled, talented, well trained, and whatas more, he liked me. I could think of no one better to teach me. aIall be there.a His smile was genuine, but a bit guarded. I wondered if he was worried that wead be caught. Not that there was anything to catch. Not really. I hadnat asked Trayton to teach mea"not yet. Iad only asked him to tell me about katanas, which, as far as I knew, wasnat against Protocol or any of the rules that the headmaster was here to enforce. Bending the rules wasnat the same as breaking them, though I intended to do that as well. Iad break their rules to save myself from both the indignity of having to wait for someone else to rescue me and from the danger of not knowing how to stand against a Graplar if no one was around to save me.

Maddox interrupted my thoughts. aCla.s.s starts soon, Princess. We should walk.a I started to stand, but Trayton held fast onto my hand, his eyes on mine. aKayaaa He almost said no. I could see it in his crystalline eyes, the no burning there on the edge of his irises. He almost changed his mind about meeting me in the armory and showing me what a katana was and what it could do. But he didnat. He just spoke my name, his tone full of doubt and fear and wonder that maybe what he was about to do wasnat exactly the right thing, that maybe he was too close to breaking Protocola"something that meant a great deal to him. Trayton, after all, wasnat just a rule follower. He was a rule enforcer. An admirable trait, for certain, but one that I desperately hoped he could set aside for just one night. And then maybe just one more.

I met his gaze, but said nothing, hoping that Trayton wouldnat utter so much as a whisper of his doubts. To my amazement, he didnat. Instead, he squeezed my hand as he raised it to his lips, then brushed a feather-light kiss against my skin.

But it was more than a kiss. It was more than the first time that Traytonas lips had pressed against my skin, no matter how lightly. It was a promise. He would show me how to wield a katana. He would explain the parts of the weapon to me. He would bend this rule for tonight, and that was all I could hope for.

Squeezing his hand, I released my light grip and so did he. Then I stood, following Maddox out the door. She had a distant look in her eye, one that made me wonder exactly what shead been talking to Darius about. aWhatas going on, Maddox? You seem distracted.a Maddox nodded, steering me toward the building that was home to Mr. Rossas cla.s.sroom. aI started to ask Darius if head train you, but he interrupted me to give me some bad news. Apparently, several Elder Barrons have decided that many guards would do better on the battlefield rather than guarding Healers inside the confines of schools, despite the fact that they lack Bound or Soulbound Healers. So theyare making a list of guards who will be moving to the front. No one knows yet. Darius was seriously going out of his way to warn me.a My hand found my mouth in shock and my feet came to a sudden halt. aYouare going to war? But Maddox, you arenat trained! And you have no Healer!a As if I were telling her anything she didnat know already.

Foregoing her usual snark, and playing it off with casual indifferencea"which I could tell was just barely covering her panic in a thin glazea"she said, aDarius said if he can keep my name off that list, he will. I trust him. Iam justaconcerned.a I was concerned too. Fak that, I was worried. The very idea of Maddox facing down Graplars and soldiers and some horrible, seemingly invincible king seriously frightened me. I liked Maddox. She was probably the best friend I had ever had. Which was weird, considering how obnoxious she could be.

Resisting the urge to hug hera"something told me that Maddox, no matter how much she was hurting, wouldnat exactly be very receptive to anything vaguely sensitivea"I started walking with her again, and tried to find the right words, words that might lessen her stress level some. aWhy donat we ask him to train both of us?a Maddox sighed. aAnd give them more reason to send me outside the wall? No, thank you. Iam clinging to my Healer duties as long as I can.a And thatas when it hit me. Not only was Maddox afraid to die. She was afraid to fight at all, afraid to train, for whatever reason. Making the decision not to push the issue any further, I said, aItall be okay, Maddox. If you trust Darius, I trust Darius.a Apparently, Iad chosen well, because she smiled at me through the shadows of her troubled expression. Once we made it to Mr. Rossas room, I dared a change of subject. aI was thinking of asking Trayton to train me. You know. Instead of Darius.a She cast me a sidelong glance that said that that was a pretty terrible idea, but apparently she wasnat in the mood to berate me for choosing poorly, because she said, aTrayton is Dariusas best student. Butawhy not just learn from the best?a I shrugged in response, resisting the urge to say so much more. I couldnat tell Maddox about the way my stomach jumped whenever I pictured Darius s.h.i.+rtless. h.e.l.l, I hadnat even told her Iad seen him s.h.i.+rtless. And thereas was no way I could find the words to say what it had felt like, what it had meant to me when Darius had let his guard down and shown me just a brief glimpse, a tender moment of fragility. Because the truth was, it had meant more to me than I would dare give voice to. I couldnat admit those things to myself, let alone Maddox.

But at least one thing was settled: tonight, after boring Healer cla.s.ses and my usual extra duties in the rose garden (this time thanks to my outpouring of laughter when Instructor Baak referred to Healers as natureas way of blessing Barrons with long life), I was going to spend some time with Trayton, learning about katanas, and maybe, if I was lucky, forgetting about the look in Dariusas eyes when head spoken of his loneliness.

CHAPTER.

Fifteen.

Once the last rosebushes had been mulched, I hurried back to the dorms with Maddox, made myself presentable, and headed to the dining hall to grab some dinner before they closed down for the evening. I hadnat seen Trayton since this morning at breakfast and was hoping to see him at dinner, but when my eyes swept the hall, all I found was disappointment.

Maddox filled a tray with food, and I took my now usual seat at the corner table. To my surprise, I had company. Company that Iad not been expecting.

Melanie forced a smile. aWell, well, if itas not the walking bandage. I heard your encounter with a Graplar went as expected, ending with you cowering in a corner.a My defenses went up in a flash, and I opened my mouth to tell her just what had happeneda"that not only had there been two Graplars, but that Iad not only a.s.sisted in taking them out, Iad also beheaded one entirely on my own. Even with my b.u.mbling, that was an impressive feat. But then I remembered the story that wead told everyone, and closed my mouth again. But only for a second. aWhat do you want, Melanie?a Her smile struck me as somewhat s.a.d.i.s.tic and absolutely surrept.i.tious. She crossed her long legs and I could sense several pairs of eyes falling on them all around me. There was no doubting Melanie was beautiful. But skin could only get you so far. aI came to ask a favor of you.a Everything inside of me, every cell of my being screamed aNO!a before I parted my lips to speak, but curiosity got the best of me. aA favor? What favor?a She seemed to gauge me for a moment before speaking. aThere are changes coming to Shadow Academy. To all the schools, really. And I want your a.s.sistance to make those changes a bit easier on my Healer. You do want to help a fellow Healer, right?a aWhy should I make things easier on your Healer, and exactly what are you talking about?a Maddox had mentioned certain changes that had apparently been set in motion, but was that what Melanie talking about? Putting guards on the battlefield would hardly affect her Healer. Or were the changes she was talking about something completely separate from that?

aIad like you to tell the headmaster that youave made a terrible mistake and that you believe that my Healer, David, would make a far better Healer to Trayton than you. Then Iad like you to request to be my Healer.a It only took me a second to hear what shead said, and a second more for my laughter to come pouring out of me. Melanie? My Barron? I didnat think so. aWhy on Tril would you think Iad be even remotely interested in the idea of switching, especially considering that no Bound Healer and Barron have ever switched before?a aThatas not true. Two have switched throughout history, though itas nothing that the Elder Barrons will discuss. Mistakes are made on occasion. And with the right a.s.surance and insistence, it can be done. As for whyawell, letas just say that a little bird witnessed a certain Healer limping into a certain teacheras quarters the other night. And how would that look to the headmaster?a My heart froze solid. I didnat know what to say, what to do, to deter Melanie from her path of thinking. The truth was that seeing me waltz into Dariusas cabin, limping and bleeding or not, wouldnat look harmless at all to any of the authoritative figures on campus. Darius could be fired, or worse. And whatever punishment they doled out for me couldnat possibly compare to the threat that the headmaster had given me when Iad first learned of his existence: my parents could be made to suffer for my insubordination. Would they be killed because Iad entered a teacheras quarters unchaperoned? Maybe. I doubted it, but not enough to laugh off Melanieas threat. aWho told you that?a aDavid did. He was on his way back to the dorms and saw you limping up the steps to Dariusas quarters. Curious, isnat it, that youad choose a teacheras bedroom over the hospital wing.a aItas not what it looked like.a It wasnat, but I knew that even if Melanie believed me, she wouldnat admit it. Not when she thought she could get something out of it. Regarding her smirk, I said, aBesides, you canat prove it.a Her smile turned sinister and dark. aI donat need to prove it. I just need to whisper it in Traytonas ear.a For a moment, my heart stopped. Would Trayton really believe her over me? Maybe. The very notion that she would tell him about where Iad been that night was enough to raise the alarms inside of me, at any rate. aWhy would you want me as your Healer?a aI donat. But I do want David as Traytonas Healer. We have anaunderstanding, shall we say.a And thatas when the pieces clicked neatly into place. With David as Traytonas Healer, it would still be a challenge to get Trayton to break the rules of no Barrons coupling, but with me as Traytonas Healer, it would be impossible. All this because she wanted my Barron to be her boyfriend, despite the fact that Trayton would never agree to go against Protocol like that. Melanie would destroy lives to acquire anything that she couldnat rightfully have. She was completely delusional. I shook my head. aThe headmaster will never agree to it.a aSee to it that he does. Or Iall tell Trayton what David sawawith a few added details of my imagination, of course.a She winked at me and left the table. My stomach turned over, sour and full of tension. By the time Maddox returned with a tray full of food, I wasnat the least bit hungry anymore.

I debriefed Maddox over some spicy chicken and a salad, and as I spoke, she looked more and more furious with every word that crossed my lips. By the time Iad caught her up on all things Melanie, I thought her head was going to explode.

aThat girl is insane! You arenat actually considering it, are you?a Flas.h.i.+ng Maddox my best what-are-you-stupid look, I said, aOf course not. But what am I going to do? Itas not like it sounds innocent, even without Melanieas imaginary details about what happened.a After I was finished eating, Maddox dropped off my tray and started walking me back to the dorms for the night. As we moved out the door, she said, aWhat did happen, anyway? Youave been kinda quiet about the details. I mean, Iam not saying that any of it is my business, butawhat happened that night between you and Darius? Because itas clear that something did.a Stopping just outside my door, I considered exactly how much to tell Maddox. It wasnat that I didnat trust her. It was that I wasnat exactly comfortable revealing what had transpired that night. I turned to Maddox. aDarius saved my life. We talkeda"just talkeda"and I learned something about him. Something Iall never tell anyone else. So this is the last time Iall speak of it. He helped me, Maddox, and I owe him my silence for that.a She eyed me for a bit, and I could tell that she was itching to know what secret I was keeping. But to her credit, she didnat ask. She merely shrugged. aGood enough for me. Now what are we going to do about Melanie?a Biting my bottom lip, I shook my head. I had no idea what to do and was completely out of options. One way or another, Melanie was going to get her way. Unless I thought of something fast. But nothing came to mind.

A light filled Maddoxas eyes and my heart lifted for a moment. aOf course thereas the obvious. You could always tell Trayton yourself. That would take the wind out of her sails.a My heartas upward journey didnat last. I couldnat tell Trayton. Head be furious. I looked at Maddox and was about to give voice to my doubts, but she shoved me inside the suite and whispered, aBetter he hears the truth from you rather than lies from someone else.a As I walked into my bedroom and caught a glimpse of the fresh roses that Trayton had sent over that morning, I knew that Maddox was right. I had to tell Trayton what had happened the night I was bitten. But I didnat have to tell him everything.

After a long, hot bath and a lot of silent personal debate, I dressed in a fresh uniform. Maddox knocked on my door and we headed out to the armory. We were barely out the door when she grabbed me by the sleeve. aListen. If I disappear for a while, just carry on like Iam right there, okay?a I shot her a questioning glance. aWhy? Where will you be?a aIam going to talk to Darius, see if heas heard anything more about the rule change.a She looked at me as she opened the door to the outside and winced, as if expecting me to smack hera"which I was totally debating doing as she spoke her next words. aAnd ask him if heall train you.a A sigh escaped me. aMaddox, I told you, Iam going to ask Trayton to train me.a The look in her eye said that she already knew what Traytonas response would be. But even so, I was still asking him. Trayton liked me, and I had an idea that Maddox didnat know how much. But I did. Every time Trayton looked at me, I could feel how much he liked me, how much I liked him. Every time he touched me, no matter how brief or casual, an electric charge pa.s.sed between us. Trayton cared about me. Of course he would want to help me.

She shook her head as we crossed the cobblestone of the courtyard. aDonat ask him, Kaya. If you ask him to teach you how to fight, heall go to the headmaster. Itas Protocol whenever someone tries to engage in rule breaking. Let alone conspiracy. Trayton will inform the headmaster and youall be punished, maybe even a.s.signed a new Guard. Iam telling youa"itas a bad idea.a aHe wouldnat do that.a Even as I spoke the words, I didnat know them to be true. What Maddox was saying was very possible. After all, there was a reason that the headmaster viewed Trayton as his golden boy. But as much as the idea frightened me, angered me, I had to take my chances, and trust that Trayton would keep my confidence. aIam asking him, Maddox. If I donat ask him, Iam saying that I donat trust him. And I do.a aIam still asking Darius.a She glanced my way. aJust in case.a I followed Maddox across the cobblestone of the courtyard toward Dariusas cottage. Just as I was about to ask where the armory wasa"it hadnat been part of my initial tour of the campus or my wanderings up until nowa"she led me around to the back of the building and gestured to a plank wood door with large rusted metal hinges. Balling up her fist, Maddox pounded on the wood twice, eliciting Traytonas response from inside. aEnter and be known.a Maddox wordlessly tugged open the door and gestured for me to go inside. Everything about her posture, the look on her face, everything, said that she was absolutely convinced that I was making a huge mistake. I was only hoping she was wrong.

The room beyond the well-worn door had a dirt floor and walls made of the same plank wood as the door, lined with several hundred wooden-peg racks, which were completely filled with hundreds of sheathed katana swords. At the far end of the room, sitting perched atop a wooden stool, oiling a blade, was Trayton. He looked up as we entered, and though I thought I spied some of that uncertainty from earlier in his gaze, his smile blossomed and erased all signs of doubt. aI was just preparing this for storage. Youare timing couldnat be better.a He flicked his eyes to Maddox, and it seemed a question was poised on his tongue, but Maddox beat him to the punch. aRemember when I said youad owe me for that little alone time stunt at the library, Trayton? Well, youare about to pay up. I need you to keep an eye on Kaya for me for a while. I have an errand to run, and she canat come with me.a Trayton looked surprised, but nodded happily. aOf course.a Maddox paused at the door, as if doubt were creeping its way into her thoughts. She was about to leave my Barron and me completely alone together. Was she making the right decision? It was like I could read her thoughts scribbled out across her forehead.

Her wordless pause proved fruitless, and Maddox moved back out the door, closing it behind her. Trayton and I were left to fend for ourselves. Alone.

aSoawhy do you want to learn about katanas?a His voice was hushed, almost gruff sounding in the small room.

The oil lamps around the room cast a low, warm light, giving an even more intimate feeling to the moment, and I stepped closer, my eyes on the sword in his hand, yes, but more on his hands themselves. His skin was smooth, tan, and supple, and though I knew why I was herea"to convince him to teach me how to fighta"all I wanted to do at the moment was run my fingertips along the back of his hand. Resisting the urge, just for the moment, I said, aIam curious. Thereas no crime in that, right?a The corner of his mouth lifted in a smile. aNo. No harm at all.a Slipping the blade into the leather sheath, he stood and held the katana out in front of him, chest height, between us. aYour parents are Barrons, so I wonat bore you with the details of sword care. Iam betting you know about oiling a blade and storing them properly. But what else did they teach you, I wonder?a Shrugging, my eyes fell to the katana, an anxious feeling fluttering in my chest. It was an invitation, although a subtle one. Maybe asking Trayton to train me would be the smartest decision I could make. Maybe Maddox was wrong. aSurprisingly little. I can oil a blade, even hold a katana correctly, but I was never taught the specifics. I never learned the parts of a katana, and certainly never learned how to wield a blade in proper battle form. My father sparred with me, but I think it was more to amuse himself than to teach me how to fight.a For a moment, I thought that maybe hearing this would change Traytonas mind completely about our evening together, but instead, he breathed his next words, and hearing his tone sent a hot s.h.i.+ver through my core. aThen letas start with the basics, shall we?a aThe sheath that a katana is stored in is referred to as a saya. It serves two purposes. One, to protect the blade from damage. And two, to protect the flesh from injury. The bladeaa He withdrew the sword from its sheath again, slowly. The metal gleamed in the low light. As he continued his description, his voice quieted, as if in respect for the weapon in his hands. aais incredibly sharp. The metal is forged from the black sands of Kaito, where itas believed that Graplars originate from. Because of that, this metal can slice through the beasts with easea"both soft tissue and bonea"unlike any other metal on Tril. A katana created at Starlight Academy can easily be deadly to anyone, including the one who wields it, so it must be treated with immense respect.a Going back and forth through my mind about the most delicate way possible to ask him to hand me the sword, I met his eyes. aMay I?a It took him a moment to answer, but when he did, he smiled slightly. aPlease.a I wrapped my fingers around the handle, taking the katana from him. It felt surprisingly light in my grip.

aYour hands are too close to one another.a He moved behind me, sliding my hands into the proper position. His breath was hot on my neck, and I was acutely aware of how close he was standing to me. aYour dominant hand should be placed directly under the guard, while your other hand should be placed low on the pommel. Grip it, but donat squeeze it. The weapon should act as an extension of you, part of you.a It was hard to focus on why I had come here, and not focus on Traytonas nearness. His arms were still around me, his hands over mine. Ever so slowly, he slid his hands back, giving me full control over the weapon.

Ready to seize my opportunity, I said, aHow do I attack properly?a aThe katana is a slicing weapon, not a stabbing weapon. If you were moving to attack, youad place your feet shoulder-width apartaa Gently, he nudged my feet apart with his. His lips brushed my ear softly, his words but a whisper. aatwist your wrists slightlyaa His hands returned to mine, guiding them in a slow slash. Goose b.u.mps had risen on my skin, and the sensation of his breath wasnat helping to settle them any. aaand follow through, snapping at the end.a We brought the blade down together, and I marveled at the way the steps molded into one fluid act. Of course Iad seen it in action, but even sparring with my father hadnat shown me the intricate details that went into a simple cut. aItas like a dance.a aYes. Thatas exactly what itas like.a He took the katana from me and I turned slowly to face him, so close that we were almost touching, and I was very nearly enveloped by him.

He moved in and I knew that he was about to kiss me. But I couldnat let him. Not yet. Not before Iad done what Iad come here to do. Placing my hand on his chesta"I could feel his heart racing withina"I stopped him and said, aWill you train me to fight, Trayton?a A hard line formed on his brow. It was indicative of betrayal, and anger. Hastily, he stepped back, sheathing the sword once again. aKaya, you know I canat train you. No one can. Itas against Protocol.a aFak Protocol!a I threw my arms up in frustration. I hated that word and it haunted my every move. aI have a right to defend myself, Trayton. How can you expect me to stand on the sidelines and wait for someone to rescue me?a His eyes snapped to mine. aDonat you trust me to save you? Thatas my job, Kaya, my duty. And one I hold as the highest importance. How can you go against eons of tradition without even giving a thought to the honor of your position as a Healer?a My heart sank. That was it, then. Maddox was right. I shouldnat have asked him to train me. What was I thinking? Had Trayton given any indication at all that he was a rule bender? No. But stubborn stupidity had pushed me forward, and now he was going to report my request to the headmaster. Who knew what that would mean for my parentsa well-being?

He shook his head, placing the katana on one of the racks on the wall. There were hundreds of swords. So many I couldnat have counted them all in the time it would take Trayton to shove me out the door. aI knew showing you anything about katanas was a bad idea. Youare too curious, Kaya. Thatas dangerous.a A dark cloud settled over my mood. If my curiosity, if my burning need for knowledge was dangerous, then what did that make me exactly? Before he had the chance to label me any further, I turned on my heel and headed straight for the door.

aWhere are you going?a aTo find Maddox.a I gripped the door handle and was about to pull it open, when Traytonas hand pushed the door closed again.

When I looked at him, his eyes were a mixture of emotions. On one hand, he seemed intensely upset with me. On the other, he looked concerned. Against my will, my eyes dropped until they were focusing on his smooth, slender lips. By the time they found his eyes again, head stepped back and gestured to the door, tearing his gaze away from me.

Yanking open the door, I stepped out into the night and let the wood slam behind me. At first, Maddox was nowhere to be found, but then she came walking around the corner of the building, a pleased smile on her face. As she spoke, the corner of her mouth lifted in a smirk. aGood news, Princess. Wait, why do you look so flushed?a Turning east, I led the way around the building and back toward the dorms. aTrust me. Itas not because of the reasons youare thinking. We didnat even kiss. Iam mad at him.a aHe said no to training you, eh? Told ya so.a She hurried to catch up, careful to keep her voice low. Even so, it felt like sound carried exceptionally well at night. I kept a watchful eye out for anyone who might be listening, but saw no one. aTraytonas not exactly a rebel, Kaya. I mean, come on, the guy actually respects the headmaster. What did you expect?a aNot now, Maddox.a The last thing I needed to be reminded of was my failure at recognizing the obvious. aSo whatas the good news, anyway?a aYou have a teacher. Training begins tomorrow morning. Before the dew falls.a Minor relief flooded me. At least I had a teacher now. If Trayton didnat follow Protocol and report me, that is. I raised an eyebrow as we crossed the cobblestone. aWhy so early?a Shrugging, Maddox said, aDarius doesnat want to take any chances of being found out. Weall meet him here, youall suit up, and heall take you outside the wall to a small training area that no one uses anymore.a My steps slowed. Mostly due to lingering fear of what lurked outside that wall. aOutside the wall? What about Graplars?a aI donat know. Graplars are pretty much nocturnal, so you shouldnat have much to worry about.a We neared the building and she opened the door, ushering me inside. It must have been getting dangerously close to curfew.

aBut isnat it still dark before the dew falls?a My voice squeaked slightly.

But my guard didnat stick around to hear it. She was already halfway up the stairs, on her way to my room.

aMaddox?a I whispered harshly, demanding an answera"an answer she was refusing to give. aMaddox, isnat it still dark that early?a She opened my door, shaking her head and rolling her eyes, like I was complaining about the most minute details. aDonat worry so much. Youall have Darius with you. Youall be fine. Probably.a I could have strangled her. aProbably?a The sound of footfalls on the stairs behind me filled my ears, and I turned my head toward them. Trayton, barely breathing heavy at all, shot a look at Maddox, who was standing half inside my room, half in the hall. aA moment, please.a Rolling her eyes again, Maddox disappeared inside, leaving us alone in the hall. What did he want with me? To tell me he was reporting my actions? To remind me that I was just a lowly Healer? To tell me that he wished that head been Bound to anyone but me, maybe someone who respected the rules the way that he did? I didnat want to hear it.

His words came soft and caringa"not at all what Iad expected. aI only said no because I care deeply about you, Kaya. I just want you to be safe and protected at all costs. I want to protect you, and if you start protecting yourself, what does that mean for me?a aIt means that you trust me to take care of myself.a aThatas not all it means. It means that I have no purpose in your life.a His eyes, so dark, s.h.i.+mmered. He was hurting, torn between what head been taught was right and his Healeras request. He wanted no more than to please me, but couldnat do that without breaking the rules that he so desperately needed to uphold.

I shook my head, sorry that he was torn. But not at all sorry for wanting to develop fighting skills. aTrayton, youall always have purpose in my life.a aIf we lived in another time, in another place, for what itas worth, I would teach you everything that I know about how to survive.a His shoulders slumped in defeat. aBut we donat. Weare bound to certain rules, like them or not. And without rules, our society would crumble.a aI understand, Trayton. I do. But donat you ever question whether the Zettai Council actually knows what theyare talking about when they devise these rules? How do they know better than you or me? Who put them in charge of every little detail? Will we ever get the chance to govern our own lives?a With a heavy heart, I turned to my door, more than ready to call it a night.

Gently, but firmly, Trayton grabbed me by the arm and pulled me back to him. aCan you forgive me for not indulging you?a I shook my head. aThereas nothing to forgive.a Then he leaned in and kissed me, his lips so soft and tender, his fingers trembling on my arm. I surrendered to the sweetness of his kiss, allowing myself a moment to just be a girl, and my heart soared.

CHAPTER.

Sixteen.

If youall turn to page fifty-one in your Protocol handbook, youall see some examples of what weave been discussing today in cla.s.s.a By adiscussing,a of course, Mr. Groff was referring to the things head been barking at us that were generally accepted as social norms. Like the fact that when Barrons were socializing in a group, it was expected that their Healers would not join the group unless all Barrons were in agreement that it was an appropriate moment for their interaction. My head was starting to throb due to the subject matter. He stood at the front of the cla.s.s, his muscles tensed, as if he were on high alert. Iad realized three cla.s.ses ago that this was simply his way of standing, his way of being. The idea exhausted me completely.

Flipping through the handbook, I came upon a list of certain social cues that Healers were supposed to be aware of. I shook my head in aggravation, and when Trayton raised a questioning eyebrow in my direction, I threw my hands up some, hoping he would understand just why I was so annoyed. But Trayton wasnat the only one to notice my irritation. Mr. Groff snapped his head in my direction. aKaya, do you have a problem with todayas lesson?a What amazed me, what truly surprised me, was that it seemed as though no one but me had a problem with what was being taught. I glanced around the cla.s.s, looking for support, but found none, just a few uncomfortable wriggles. When I turned my head back to Mr. Groff, I inhaled slowly in an attempt to stay calm. aI have an enormous problem sharing the viewpoint that Healers are subservient to Barrons, yes. Weare people, after all, not cattle.a Silence followed my words, but it wasnat the usual silence of a cla.s.sroom. It was heavy, and far more oppressive. I was convinced that Mr. Groff was at most going to rip my eyes out of my skull, and at least was going to give me extra duties for the rest of my life. I didnat regret sharing my views, but I knew that Iad pay for doing so. Whatever. It was worth it. After all, if you canat be true to yourself, what else have you got? So I sat back in my chair, watching him, waiting for his head to implode.

Only it didnat.

He looked me over, his stern gaze piercing my calm facade, and when he spoke, it was with a strange sense of appreciation. aPerhaps you donat yet fully appreciate the delicate function of Protocol. But I suspect you soon will. Nowaif you will all turn to page fifty-six, we can continue todayas lesson.a As students all around me flipped pages at our teacheras command, I felt my irritation give way to anger. aActually, Mr. Groff, I do appreciate the history and reasons for Protocol. I just donat understand the need for current application.a Mr. Groff breathed in deeply through his nose, causing his nostrils to flare. aOver time, society has developed a need for order. Protocol helps us to maintain that order.a He turned away from me then, as if dismissing my next words, but I insisted on being heard. I raised my voice, just a little, just enough to make certain theyad reach his ears effectively. aI think people are capable of maintaining order without a strict set of rules. I think you underestimate them.a Turning back, he smirked at my challenge. aThen clearly youave not seen what happens when rules donat exist to support people. Chaos. Complete and total chaos.a I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the table in front of me, the one that Trayton and I shared. aAnd exactly how much chaos have you witnessed from here in your cozy cla.s.sroom?a Trayton tensed beside me. The rest of the cla.s.s drew a collective gasp, as if Iad bounded into forbidden territory, which is precisely where I wanted to be.

Slowly, Mr. Groff approached my table and leaned on it with his palms. He leaned close to me, so close that I could count the pores on the tip of his nose, and growled, aYou will find your loyalty to this cause, Miss Os.h.i.+ro, if I have to beat it into your skull.a I bit back, aLoyalty to any cause doesnat have to be forced on people, Mister Groff.a The left corner of his lip twitched slightly. His eyes narrowed into slants. aYou will report to the rose gardens for extra duties after cla.s.s.a I leaned forward, until we were almost nose to nose, and I kept my voice low enough that my next words were for him and him alone, though Trayton was close enough that I knew that he could hear every syllable. aIall be happy to. And every time I remove a p.r.i.c.k from my skin, Iall think of you.a Mr. Groffas face turned bright red, his words bellowing out of him as he pointed at the door. aGet out of my cla.s.sroom, you insignificant Healer!a Pus.h.i.+ng back my chair, I stood and walked out of the room, letting the door slam behind me. I felt right. I felt justified. And as far as I was concerned, that moment was worth a hundred hours of extra duties, a million thorns, a thousand sc.r.a.pes. Some pains were worth it.

CHAPTER.

Seventeen.

The sun hadnat even thought about stirring before Maddox was knocking quietly on my door the next morninga"or what could technically be referred to as morning, anyway. Shoving my head under the fluff of my down pillow, I willed her to go away, but it didnat seem to be working. She yanked the pillow away, tossing it on the floor, and reached for my covers with a threatening tone. aGet up and get dressed, or Darius will be training you in your underwear.a That got my attention. Mostly because it confused me. I was wearing my sleeping clothes, so just what exactly did Maddox plan to do to get me out of bed, strip me down and shove me out the door? Knowing Maddox, it wasnat out of the realm of possibilities. As I begrudgingly sat up in bed, I muttered, aFine. Iam up.a She tossed a wad of clothing at me and grumped, aDonat forget. You asked for this.a After a very quick, very cold bath, I hurried into my clothes, and Maddox led me out the door and across the courtyard. I thought about Trayton the entire way. How his lips had felt against mine, but more so, how much it hurt that head refused to arm me with the knowledge that Iad need to defend myself in a war that I hadnat even volunteered for. Comforting myself as well as I could with the knowledge that Iad have that training despite Traytonas reluctance to break a few rules, I followed Maddox around the cottage once again to the shabby wooden door. She knocked, just as she had last night. Only this time, there came no answer.

Not in the form of words anyway.

Darius opened the door, his eyes falling on Maddox, then me. At first, the look in his eyes was one of surprise, but it quickly grew into irritation. He closed the door again, but had apparently underestimated Maddoxas reflexes. She shoved her foot in the door, stopping it from closing all the way. aCome on, Darius. You promised.a aI never promised this.a aYou promised me youad train a Healer how to fight. Does it really matter that much that itas Kaya?a As if her insinuation had to be immediately refuted, he yanked the door open again and met my gaze. aMaddox will bring you here every morning at four. Donat be late. If youare not here by four, I wonat train you anymore.a I shook my head, all business now. There was nothing I was willing to do to fak this up. Darius was my last chance at learning how to take down a Graplar. My only chance. aThatas not a problem. Anything else?a His eyes oozed a stern coldness that chilled me to the bone. There was no arguing with Darius. I immediately felt a bit sorry for the students he taught. aYou will obey my every order, without question. Training will be difficult, painful, and at times, agonizing, but you will not quit until you are worthy of being called a warrior. If you canat agree to these terms, then walk away now, because once we start training, I wonat let you quit.a Straightening my shoulders, refusing to show him any weakness, I said, aIam ready for whatever you can throw at me.a aNo, youare not.a He flicked an unforgiving glance at my guard. aMaddox, stay here. Out of sight. Weall be back at dawn.a Darius was wearing a katana on his back, but he picked up one more, along with a bag, and thrust them into my arms. His voice was a monotone growl, not revealing so much as a hint as to what he was feeling. aYou play, you pay. Carry your own equipment.a I didnat have time to speak before he turned around and moved out the door, didnat have time to a.s.sure him that I had planned on carrying my own equipment and that I was fully capable of handling myself. He was there one moment and gone the next. Throwing a glance at Maddox, I hurried out the door after him before he could leave me behind for good. Something told me that if Darius could find a reason not to train me, head use it and d.a.m.n my need to learn. He had been excited about the idea of training a Healer, about teaching a Healer to fight against the rules of the academy. Until he discovered that I was that Healer, it seemed. I caught up with him about twenty yards from the cabin, moving along the wall at a steady pace for a Barron, a fast pace for me. As we approached the south gate, his steps slowed. He whispered to me without looking at me or even turning his head my way. aPut your face mask on. Donat speak. Donat move. Wait here.a I did as I was told, slipping my mask on and freezing myself to the spot. As Darius moved closer to the gate, the quiet darkness enveloped him. Moments later, a hand was on my biceps. I jumped, a yelp readying itself inside my throat, but then Darius whispered again. aCome with me. The gate will only be unattended for about a minute. We have to hurry if we want to avoid being caught.a I nodded and Darius led me to the gate, opening it just wide enough for us to slip outside. Keeping my eyes on the wall, I watched for the on-duty gate guards, but saw none, and instantly wondered how Darius had pulled off this magical feat. It wasnat like Barrons to abandon their post. Not without a d.a.m.n good reason, anyway.

We walked down the hill for some time, and then Darius turned and led us east. He seemed to relax once we were out of sight of the academy wall, and honestly, I did too. There was something unnerving about that enormous, ominous wall. Not to mention the fact that ten skilled Barrons should have been posted outside the south gate, and that who knows how many more Barrons would be doing perimeter sweeps on a regular basis. The farther we got away from the school, away from that wall, the better, and it was clear that we shared that belief, at least.

Darius came to a stop in a small clearing. The forest floor had been emptied of all rocks, twigs, and undergrowth, and the ground looked unnaturally smooth. I didnat speak, didnat comment on my observations. I got the feeling that Darius wouldnat appreciate my deciding when it was a good time to betray his order of silence. If I was going to do thisa"and I was determined that I wasa"I was going to do it right. And if that meant adhering to Dariusas orders without comment, doubt, or question, then so be it.

After a moment spent surveying the area, Darius said, aI cleaned it up last night. Took a lot less work than I figured it would. It amazed me that an old training area would still be in such good shape.a I nodded as if I had any idea at all what he was talking about. But in my mind, I was thinking about something completely different. aHow old are you?a aSeventeen.a At my surprised eyebrow raise, he smirked. aWhat? You expected me to be older?a I shrugged. aWellayeah. Youare an instructor, after all.a It was his turn to shrug. aLetas just say I was a fast study.a I looked around the clearing with a frown. It just seemed soaexposed. aWhy donat Barrons train here anymore?a aSeveral years ago, the Graplars in this part of Kokoro became pretty unbearable. So they had to move everything inside. Itas not safe out here. Especially for new troops.a Casting a nervous glance around, always on the lookout for free-roaming Graplars, I said, aCan I ask why exactly youave decided to train me here?a aNo one will see us here. No one will ask questions. Itall be just you, me, and the blades.a He straightened his shoulders, stretching slightly, and inhaled deeply through the nose. It was easy to see how much he enjoyed being free of the academyas walls. On that, we could definitely relate. aIall have to work on a more efficient way of getting you outside the wall every morning. Telling Raden to gather the south gate guards to warn them about a potential weakness in the wallas western side wonat work twice.a Tilting my head, I cast a nervous glance up the hill. I couldnat see the wall from here, but the idea that it might have defense issues sent a nervous chill up my spine. aThereas a weakness in the wall?a aOf course not, but I had to tell them something. They wouldnat have let you outside the gate without permission from the headmaster. Not even if youare with me. Besides, even if they did, there would be questions. Questions on where I was taking a student Healer and why. Itas too complicated.a As if answering a question that head silently asked himself, he said, aThe training mask might work to hide your ident.i.ty. If they donat speak to you. But weall need a good story. Iall work on it.a aThisaa He slipped a katana from its sheath on his backa"the metal singing in the quiet woodsa"and held it out in front of him. aais a katana, the preferred weapon of Barrons everywhere. Itas lightweight, easy to maneuver with a bit of finesse, and if used correctly, deadly. Iam not going to teach you how to swing a sword. Iam not going to teach you how to utilize a blade. Iam going to teach you how to kill. To survive, you must be fast. You must be vigilant. And above all, you must be scared.a I hadnat expected him to say that. What Iad expected was for him to talk about honor and bravery, not fear. Flas.h.i.+ng him a questioning look, I parted my lips to speak, but he answered before I could.

aBravery gets you into trouble. Bravery leads you into battle. But if you really want to survive that battle, you must first know what it is to fear death.a The way that Darius was speaking to me, the way that he was teaching me, was completely different than how Trayton had approached the subject of weaponry. Whereas Trayton had been gentle and informative, Darius was straightforward and didnat shy away from the uglier aspects of fighting. I appreciated both approaches, for very different reasons. With my eyes on the katana, I said, aMy parents are both Barrons. My father showed me a bit when I was younger. We used to spar.a aThat is playacting. A father would never put his daughter in true danger. By the end of your training, I will be coming for your life. Itas the only way youall learn to truly defend yourself against an enemy.a He c.o.c.ked an eyebrow. aAre you ready for that?a My heart pounded within my chest. aI will be.a Flipping the weapon around, he held it out to me, handle side first. aShow me how you hold a katana.a Wrapping my fingers around the sword handle, I took the blade from Darius and held it like Trayton had showed me to, building on what my father had showed me.

aLike this?a I hadnat meant for there to be a question at the end of my sentence, but there it was, brought on by the knowledge that someday, maybe soon, Darius was going to try to kill mea"and head succeed if I didnat train as hard as I could.

Furrowing his brow, Darius shook his head. aSpread your hands farther apart. A broader grip means more control.a I spread my hands some and looked at him, seeking his approval. With a nod, he said, aWe will begin with proper fighting stance. You have an advantage over many Barrons, as youare female. Girls tend to be smaller, leaner, and with practice, can move in ways that are delicate and fierce, just like the weapon in your hand. Now spread your legs apart and lower your center of gravity.a Sliding my right leg over a few inches, I squatted down some and awaited further instructions. Darius walked around me in a circle, scrutinizing my stance. With a chuckle, he said, aWhat are you doing, sitting down? Straighten your back. And spread your legs farther.a I straightened my back, but apparently didnat move fast enough for Dariusas tastes, as he kicked the inside of my foot with his toe until it was a few more inches away from my other foot. From behind me, he said, aBetter. Now hold up the blade at a forty-five-degree angle. Keep your grip firm, but gentle. Work with the weapon, not against it. Itas an extension of you, not a foreign object to struggle with.a His last words reminded me of Trayton, of what Trayton had said about katanas. It was almost verbatim. I couldnat help but wonder if Trayton had merely repeated what Darius had taught him in cla.s.s. I held the sword up, angled it slightly, and remained as still as possible. A long, silent moment pa.s.sed before Darius spoke again. aNow raise your arms, keep that angle, and bring the katana down in a long slash. Remember, the katana is a slicing weapon. Not a stabbing weapon. Be smooth. Be fluid.a As instructed, I brought the blade up, my shoulders already burning from holding it aloft for so long. The blade sang as it cut through the night air, and I stopped short before I got it too close to the ground. Darius moved in front of me, his silver hair bright even in the darkness. I imagined it was a disadvantage for him on the battlefield. He must have stood out. He withdrew the katana on his back from its sheath and held it in front of him in proper form. aSnap the end of your stroke. Otherwise your cut falls weak. Snap it forward and it ends with strength. Like this.a He whipped the blade forward effortlessly, snapping his wrist forward, stopping his blade work with a short angular cut. I copied him several times. By the fifth time, I felt like I had it, but my arms were screaming in pain. Despite Dariusas a.s.surance that a katana was a lightweight weapon, it grew heavier and heavier every moment it was in my hands. After another three strokes, Darius nodded. aGood enough. For now. Now letas work on those arms.a Lowering the sword, I blinked at him. aWhatas wrong with my arms?a aYou have no muscle. Strength is lurking under the surface, but without utilizing the muscles there, youall never be able to wield a weapon in the long term of a battle.a He took the katana from me, returning it to its sheath. aPush-ups. Now.a aHow many?a aAs many as it takes.a aTo do what exactly?a aTo make your arms shake. To make you feel so weak that you can no longer stand to hold up your own weight. Then you can stop for the day and weall go back to proper form.a At first, I nearly laughed, but I swallowed that laughter when I realized that Darius wasnat joking. He fully intended to make me do push-ups until I fell over from exhaustion. And though I was sorely tempted to tell him where he could stick his push-ups, the fact was that Darius was right.

He held out a hand and I placed the katana in it before dropping to the ground in a push-up stance. Darius counted off as I lowered myself to the ground and lifted myself up. As I hoisted myself up again, I could feel Dariusas foot on my b.u.t.t, pressing down. aKeep your body perfectly straight. At a forty-five-degree angle, just like the blade.a I lowered myself again, my shoulders and chest and back burning, and he counted off another. After a while, the numbers that he was saying didnat matter anymore. I listened to the rhythm of my movements, punctuated by his voice, and fought off a cramp in my right shoulder blade. But I kept doing the push-ups. Down, breathe, up again. Over and over again, until Darius wasnat counting anymore. My biceps trembled with exhaustion after a while, but I swore to myself that I would not fall, would not show such an incredible sign of weakness. I was better than that. But fak, my right shoulder blade was cramping and my nose tingled with the threat of tears. My body hurt in places I hadnat even known existed, and it would never, ever stop. Not until the sun came up.

Blissfully, the light began to change just as I felt my arms turning into jelly. Darius spoke again, his voice nonchalant, as if I hadnat just worked myself like a dog to fulfill his training requirements for the day. aWe should head back. Put your face mask on.a I collapsed on the ground, coughing and panting, trying not to die from exhaustion. Darius would have none of it. He thrust the bag Iad carried to the clearing at me. aHurry up. Much later and someone will notice your absence.a From my place on the ground, I tried hard not to whine my complaints, but I wasnat at all certain I was pulling it off. aWhoas going to notice? Maddox? Iam not due to cla.s.s for another hour.a aI suspect Trayton will notice his Healeras gone missing if you donat show up for breakfast.a From inside the bag, I pulled a face mask and a Barronas training uniform. aThe mask will help, but what about my clothes?a aChange.a I looked around, suddenly feeling very exposed. aYou mean here? In the woods?a A sarcastic smirk danced on his lips. aWouldnat be the first time youave been pantless in my presence. I sense a growing trend here.a Rolling my eyes, I pulled the training uniform from the bag. aIn your dreams. Now turn around.a Once head turned his back to me, I took another look around to be sure we were alone. Shaking the uniform out of its folds, I could tell it was going to be a little big on me, but it wasnat too far off from my size, and I could easily put a few st.i.tches in to make it fit me right. I hurried out of my clothes and slipped into the uniform, my skin cooling quickly in the outside air. As I pulled the new leggings on, I glanced at Darius, who was dutifully remaining turned away from me, respecting my privacy. My thoughts turned back to the night the Graplars attacked us, the night I discovered that Darius was a Barron. Biting my bottom lip for a moment in contemplation, I finally asked, aDariusawhen are we going to talk about your secret?a He tilted his head to the side slightly, but didnat turn around. aWhat do you mean?a I pulled the new s.h.i.+rt over my head and said, aThe fact that youare a Barron and telling everyone at Shadow Academy that youare Unskilled.a Without asking if I was dressed or not, he turned to face me. aItasacomplicated. I really donat want to talk about it.a aWhy not?a I pulled my shoes back on and shoved my clothes inside the small bag.

When I stood and looked at him, he seemed to pale before my eyes. aBecause my Healer died three years ago at the second battle at Woodas Cross. Itas a rather painful memory, and Iad rather not discuss it.a An image filled my mind, jolting me. It was the image of a small red crescent against Dariusas bronze skin. aButayour Trace is red. That means your Soulbound Healer is alive.a aI donat know what you think you saw, but my Trace is black.a He slipped his s.h.i.+rt over his head, and I struggled to keep my attention on his Trace.

He was right. It was black.

I shook my head, not understanding. I could have sworn it had been red. aIam so sorry. I thoughta"a aLetas just get back to the academy.a He picked up the spare katana and headed up the hill without another word. I watched him take several steps before I followed, slipping my face mask on.

What kind of person insists on dredging up the past when someone else says theyad rather not talk about it? My curiosity had clearly brought to mind an experience head rather forget. Guilt weighed my steps all the way back to the armory.

As he was reaching for the door, I hoped my b.u.mbled apology would ease any tension I might have caused. aDarius? I really am sorry. I shouldnat have brought it up. Itas none of my business anyway. ButaI have to ask you something.a He looked at me, and I could tell that head built a wall around his emotions. There was no feeling in his eyes, no reaction at all. Just impatience and the urge to get this conversation over with.

I shuffled my feet a bit before speaking. aHow does no one here know that youare a Barron?a aBecause I trained at Starlight Academy, and the two schools only ever interact in full-scale battles. So no one here knows what I am, and no one there knows what happened to me.a aOh.a I had a million more questions, but something told me if I started asking them, Darius wasnat going to be very giving with answers.

As if in response to my thoughts, he nodded wordlessly, and opened the door. As I stepped inside, he turned to me, the subtle hint of a smile on his lips. aWear the outfit youare wearing right now tomorrow, so you donat have to keep getting naked in front of me, okay?a As positively obnoxious as Darius was, he had an intriguing charm about him that I admired. I smiled as my new instructor walked away, relieved I hadnat completely fakked everything up.

I entered the armory with answers to a question that had been bugging me since the day that we had met. Darius was a dek much of the time because he was hurting from the loss of his Healer. And he was hiding away from the world under a guise of secrecy because of whatever had happened at the battle of Woodas Cross. Of course he was. Who wouldnat? When I learned Iad lost my Barron, I was heartbroken, and I hadnat even known him. Clearly Darius had cared very much for his Healer, and had been left deeply scarred by his or her demise.

Darius disappeared around the corner, leaving me alone to greet Maddox. She was seated on a stool as I entered, looking more bored than Iad ever seen her. I tried to hide my smile, but the look in Maddoxas eyes said that I was the worst liar in Tril. Furrowing her brow, she said, aWhatas this now? What happened?a Stepping inside the armory, I closed the door behind me, sealing us away from the world outside for the moment. aIt was amazing, Maddox! I learned how to hold a katana properly, and how to swing it. And I did so many push-ups, I almost pa.s.sed out!a She looked as if she were questioning my sanity level, so I tried desperately to stop my smile from turning into a grin. And failed.

She raised a sharp eyebrow. aYou almost pa.s.sed out and youare happy about it?a aOddly, yes.a aWill we be back here tomorrow?a I didnat even have to think about my reply. aDefinitely. And every day, until Darius deems me fit for a Graplar encounter.a aYou really hate those things, donat you?a aItas not that.a At that moment, an image flashed through my mind. An image of teeth and blood. My leg began to throb, right where Iad been bitten. aI mean, itas not just that. Maybe it doesnat bother you, or maybe you just never really took notice, but Maddoxait really kills me that Healers are expected to stand around and wait to be rescued. It really troubles me that weare not viewed as equals with Barrons.a Maddox shrugged, hopping down off her stool. aI noticed. I just donat see the point in rallying against something we canat change. And Iave never heard a Healer be so bothered by it before you, Kaya.a We made our way outside again, where the cool evening air was giving way to the warmth of morning. Waves of guilt lapped at my heels. aMaddoxaare you sorry I got you mixed up in this?a aAre you kidding?a She snorted, relieving that guilta"or at least lessening it some. aIn case you havenat noticed, the headmaster is a total dek.a

CHAPTER.

Eighteen.

Again.a Darius brought his blade across his body and I did the same, stopping just short of the metal hitting in midair. My shoulders felt like they were on fire, and my back had cramped twice already. aOn your own now. Go until I say stop.a I brought my blade up again and then down in a hard slash. Darius circled me slowly, his eyes burning holes in my every fault. aBend your knees. Straighten your back.a I did as instructed, trying hard to ignore the threat of another crampa"this one in my side. He barked, aAgain. Swing harder. Youare not getting it.a Using all of my strength, I swung the katana forward, snapping it into position. As I ended the slash, the muscles in my side cramped hard and I cried out, dropping my weapon to the ground and clutching my side. As I stood there, doubled over in pain, Darius said, aGive me fifty push-ups and youare done for the day. Unless, of course, you canat hack it.a Dropping to my knees, I gritted my teeth against the pain and pressed my palms into the soft ground, stretching out my legs behind me. I dipped down, counting off the first push-up, and swore that I wouldnat let a little pain frighten me away from the training I desperately wanted. Just forty-nine more push-ups and I could go have breakfast with Trayton.

As I left the dining hall later that morning, I felt a bit lighter, though my muscles were terribly sore. Dining with Trayton was fun, even if every word I said was followed by the knowledge that Melanie had yet to enact her hateful plan, and every other word out of Traytonas mouth was something about how I should be behaving in Mr. Groffas cla.s.s. StillaTraytonas smile gave me reason to trudge forth to my Botanical Medicine cla.s.s, despite the fact that all I really wanted to do was lie down in a hole somewhere and pretend the outside world didnat exist anymore.

But once inside Instructor Harnettas cla.s.s, I found my second wind. aToday, Healers, we will discuss the remedy for aching muscles.a Relaxing some, and thanking whatever omnipotent force had sent Instructor Harnett to teach at Shadow Academy, I flipped open my notebook and prepared to take detailed notes. Instructor Harnett smiled pleasantly and began her lecture by writing several ingredients on the board. aNow, something that I want you to remember at all times is that a Healeras life is just as important as a Barronas. Perhaps more so. After all, if King Darrek had his way and rid the world of Healers, where would our dear Barrons be without us there to heal them and tend to their wounds? Your life is valuable. To your Barron, to your fellow Healers, and to you. Despite what other instructors might say.a The obvious dig at Instructor Baak instantly raised my respect for Instructor Harnett by two clicks. But the cla.s.sroom door opened, interrupting my inner celebration.

Instructor Baak stepped inside, her hair wild and the whites of her eyes showing in a manner that made me question her sanity. It also made me wonder if shead been eavesdropping through the door for some crazy, possibly paranoid reason. She crossed the cla.s.sroom to Instructor Harnett, her long finger pointed and shaking in a chastising manner. aHow dare you! How dare you. You canat do that. You canat spread lies and insult fellow faculty members. Itas against Protocol!a Instructor Harnett folded her arms in front of her and spoke calmly, as if she were used to these kinds of outbursts. aTo what section of Protocol are you referring exactly?a Instructor Baakas face turned purple. I was beginning to wonder if shead stopped breathing. aLies! Youave lied to these students!a aAbout what, Shara?a Instructor Harn