She found it hard to breathe.
Memories of Jax’s body settling on hers as he whispered it was all right—they’d get through this together.
We got this, Vtachi.
God. What she would give for that to be true.
They descended the steps, growing closer to the amphitheater’s center. Victor stopped at a bench that held her family’s crest. She glanced behind her, surprised her candidates hadn’t followed them down.
“I’ve asked for a few moments,” Victor said, taking in her expression.
She tried to smile. “Want to give me some last minute advice?”
“No. I want to say goodbye.”
Stunned, Nya gasped. “What?”
“I’m afraid this is where we part ways, Anya. Our time together is through.”
“Why now?” Her voice grew thick with tears. God. She never thought about going through this without Victor. He’d been with her since she got on that damn plane. “And why didn’t you say something this afternoon?”
He raised a brow. “Would it have made a difference in our session if I had?”
She sighed. “Probably not.”
His blue eyes gentled as he patted her hand. “The role of the guide is to ease your path until you have found your Chosen. You have no need of me once that is done.” He stepped back and let her go. “During the ritual, your candidates will sit on this bench, and you will join the other champions on the platform. The females have been placed in order from lowest to highest ranking, so I assume you will have a while until you are called. Once you have declared your Chosen, you will exit the stage from that side, and your males will leave the way we came in. You will then meet them in the ballroom. I should warn you, the Chosen celebrations usually last until dawn.”
Oh, God. This was actually happening. She reached out and clutched his arm. “Stay.”
He patted her hand before pulling away. “I’m sorry, Anya. I can’t. I must check in with the council before the ritual starts, but I’ll be at the ball if you would like to say hello. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
That hollow feeling engulfed her as she watched him walk away. Why did every male she depended on leave?
Her warriors started down the aisle.
Luka, Giovanni, and Aren came forward, each taking a moment to remind her why they were compatible as equals.
Numb, Nya thanked them for honoring her with their commitment.
Killian was next, and the emptiness eased. He stepped forward and ran his thumb across her cheek. “How you doin’, Ny?”
“Not so great, if I’m honest.”
He placed his hands on her upper arms, his palm covering the blank space above the dragon cuff. “You know, I’ve been thinking about hobbits.”
She half smiled. “Yeah? Why?”
His gray eyes became intense. “You said Frodo was a kindred spirit. And if that’s true, remember that he suffered because he was burdened with the ring. But it didn’t destroy him.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “He set out to save the Shire, and it had been saved, just not for him.”
Killian’s eyes widened as he realized she quoted one of Frodo’s last lines from the movie ... right before he boarded a boat, never to return again.
He pulled her close. “Damn it, Ny. What the hell is going on?”
She took a deep, unsteady breath. “It’s nothing, really. You should take your seat.”
Killian bent down and pressed his lips against her forehead. “If you need me, you know where I am.”
She sadly smiled. “I know.”
Jax openly watched the exchange, his eyes solely focused on her. Nya rolled her head from side to side as she did earlier, and he sighed.
“Vtachi.” He stepped forward, taking her hand in his, rubbing his thumb across her scarred palm.
Her empty eyes met his, and he pulled her into his arms.
“Whatever you’re planning, please don’t do it.” His gruff voice whispered as he rested his lips on the base of her neck.
She shivered. “I should go.”
He pulled back, his eyes desperate. “Please, Vtachi. I need you, and you need me. Together, we got this.”
She rested her hands on the sides of his face, gently bringing his forehead down until it touched hers. Her chin quivered as she kissed his lips. “You have a great heart, Ajax Nickius. A fierce, wonderful heart. Never forget that.”
She let go and stepped back.
Jax’s desolate gaze followed her as she walked away and found her seat on the stage.
The breeze swept through the amphitheater swirling leaves around empty chairs like some playful ghost. Nya sat alone amidst weatherworn wood and muted, flickering light. Numb, she blindly stared forward in a daze as warriors started filtering in from the forest, the candle’s glow softening their harsh features. The breeze whispered through the trees again, and Nya found it strange the darkened forest seemed calm, as if this place had witnessed the ritual thousands of times and had grown accustomed to the Scythian’s presence.
Her eyes fell on her males.
Jax and Killian sat side by side, both straight and tense. Giovanni and Luka leaned back as if they didn’t have a care in the world. Aren rested his forearms on his knees, his eyes cast toward the ground.
Five incredible warriors. None of them deserved to have their heritage sullied by her past. But they also didn’t deserve to be humiliated in front of their entire race while she chose a complete stranger either.
The benches slowly filled as one by one, the champions took their place on the stage. The crowd stood, their thunderous applause echoed through the night as Alexandra stepped onto the stage. She dipped her head in acknowledgment before crossing to the observation box on the other side. Her amplified voice blared across the crowd as she introduced the Rovni Council, thanking them for such diligence in honoring the traditions of their race. The council took their seats in the twelve chairs behind the Chancellor, leaving the champions front and center on the stage.
Quiet shrouded the amphitheater. Not a soul moved.
“Sophia Luna.” The Chancellor’s voice rang through the silence.
The female next to Nya stood. She made her way to the podium.
“Declare your Chosen.”
Her voice shook as she named her first male, waiting for him to stand and make his way out of the amphitheater. There was no celebration, no applause. Only respectful silence for a long-standing tradition that had been credited with the birth of their race. She called her next male.
Nya’s stoic expression remained frozen in place, although internally she started to panic. She thought she could do this. She really did. But after last night? No way would she drag any of her males into this shitstorm.
“Alyonna Pavlaski.”
A champion from the other side of the stage stood, and sweat beaded on Nya’s brow.
Damn it, all roads led back to Penn, didn’t they? Jax was right. Her childhood friend was the root of all her problems.
An idea whispered in her mind. She could hunt Penn down. Turn the tables and strap him to a wall, make him explain. And after she’d killed him and his henchmen, she’d turn her eyes toward the Chancellor.
Her heart settled as she took a deep breath.
Yes. It was time to finally listen to her instinct and run. It wasn’t the best timing, but if she took off during the second round at least she wouldn’t have to saddle one of her males with someone who had been damaged by the Drahzda. She blindly stared forward as the next champions were called, her mind formulating a plan to escape.
“Toxaris Romaine.”
The name startled her from her thoughts, and Nya glanced at the empty chairs surrounding her.
Xari walked to the podium. Her voice rang out clear and sharp as she called out warrior after warrior, each one standing and walking the long aisle back toward the consulate.
She turned and winked at Nya before leaving the stage.
Nya rubbed her thumb acr
oss her palm, her eyes darting from exit to exit.
“Anya Thalestris.”
Her knees shook as she stood. Dread wrapped its icy tendrils around her heart, and she started toward the podium. Empty rows surrounded her warriors in the front, the uncommitted were seated in the middle and the press and spectators toward the back.
“Declare your Chosen.” Alexandra’s voice blared from overhead, and Nya shivered.
Pacha stood, drawing her focus to the back rows. Hushed disbelief whispered through the crowd, and Jax turned in his seat, his eyes narrowing to slits.
“I’m another option. One that doesn’t require that you sacrifice a future to escape the past.”
Nya shook off the memory and looked back at her row.
“Luka Romano.”
Her amplified voice echoed through the trees, and Luka grinned as he stood and walked up the aisle.
“Giovanni Rossi.”
Giovanni blew her a kiss as he stood and shuffled down the row.
“Aren Maori.”
Aren’s gaze flew to hers as if he were surprised. Grimly, he stood and made his way past her last two candidates.
“Killian McCrae.”
Killian slumped over, resting his forearms on his thighs. He took a deep breath and smiled, his relief practically radiating off him in waves. He clapped Jax on the back before making his way off the bench.
She took in Jax’s tense frame, his deep brown eyes boring into her as if he could see her very soul.
She swallowed as she looked away, her eyes finding Pacha. He subtly nodded to her, encouraging her to say his name. Nya’s heart pounded in her chest. The Incans were elusive, exclusionary. It was possible that Pacha could help her hunt Penn down and find some answers. And then Jax could go back to that woman in the valley. Raise his young, find happiness in the arms of a female that didn’t carry a wagonload of baggage wherever she went.
She could protect him, save him.
“Declare your final Chosen, Warrior.” The Chancellor’s voice blared overhead.
She found Jax’s deep brown eyes, so intense and passionate.
You and me, Vtachi. We got this.
Her chin quivered, and she closed her eyes.
“Ajax Nickius.”
Nya stepped from the podium and bolted off the stage.
Chapter Thirty-Two
The moon hid under grey clouds, and Nya was grateful for the surrounding darkness that kept her from prying eyes. She started toward the consulate.
God, her life was a mess. For a split second, she honestly considered calling Pacha’s name. But she couldn’t do it. Jax meant too much to her. She’d never humiliate him that way.
Not that he wouldn’t be any less humiliated when he woke up tomorrow to find her gone.
Shit. She should have followed that instinct a year ago. Now her only hope was to hide somewhere along the Bulgarian or Serbian border and wait for a way to make it to the Astana fortress.
No way she was stepping one foot into Russia.
Didn’t matter, though. Either way, eventually the Tovaris would catch up to her, but hopefully, she’d be able to fake her death by then.
“There’s my favorite champion.”
Nya crouched, ready to attack.
Xari grinned as she came out from the shadows.
“You scared the shit out of me. What are you doing standing out here alone? Shouldn’t you be at the ball?”
Xari chucked Nya’s arm. “Nah. I wanted to wait for you. I’m kind of surprised no one is with you.”
Nya looked back at the distant glow surrounding the amphitheater. “Apparently, we no longer need guides, so I have no idea where Victor is.”
They started forward again. “Yeah. Can’t say I was sorry to see my guide go.” Xari glanced over. “And Jax?”
The path grew narrow as the forest became dense, and Nya snapped a leaf from a nearby sapling. “I’m sure he’s headed back to the consulate with the rest of them, but I didn’t wait. I kind of ran out on him.”
Compassion swam in Xari’s eyes. “I thought we were past that.”
Nya sighed and changed the subject. “So, what had you so riled at dinner? Is it the reason you’re here waiting in the dark instead of drinking champagne?”
“Erik and I had a fight, and now I’m not sure what in the hell I’m doing.”
“What was the fight about?”
Xari took a deep breath. “It started before dinner when he said we needed to talk. We didn’t get the chance until after the ritual. I told him when we first met that I wanted to move back to the States, and he said he’d go with me. But now that he’s one of my Chosen he’s changed his mind and wants to stay here, in Carpathia.”
Nya frowned. “That seems manipulative.”
Xari threw her hand up. “I know, right? And then David, you know, the Canadian, he’s so sweet and kind, at least to me. But he’s utterly ruthless on the field.” Her eyes sparkled as her words sped up. “And he has already established in his Canadian compound, which is just over the American border.”
“So what’s the problem?”
“It’s just ... well, I had it in my head that Erik was the one I wanted. But as I get to know him, I don’t know if he’s right for me after all.”
Nya turned them around, leading her friend toward the stables. It had been so long since they had a minute to themselves. “That’s what the second round is about. You’re supposed to be able to see if you’re a match. Can David take Erik? Would he fight for you?”
“I’m not sure,” Xari said.
“Well, can you defeat Erik and take him out of the equation?”
“Again, not sure. But if I can’t, I think David can. At least I’m hoping he’ll want to fight for me, anyway.”
Nya had a taste of what the Chancellor might have gone through all those years ago. Having faith that Ike would defeat anyone he was up against only to have him purposefully lose. The betrayal must have been incredible.
“Ny?”
She brought her thoughts back to the present. “Sorry. Just thinking through the options. What about the other three? Are they good candidates?”
Xari shrugged. “I think I can take them, but I don’t know. Maybe I should let them win and see who really wants me.”
Nya shook her head. “And then you may get stuck with someone who isn’t your equal. I think that would be worse than living on separate continents.”
Xari sighed. “True. What am I going to do?”
Horses whinnied up ahead, and the moon peeked through the clouds. Nya stopped at the edge of the field that led to the stables. “Well, you can come live with me. We’ll raise our young together like some weird lesbian wannabe’s.”
A twig snapped to the left, and Nya stopped. “What was that?”
Something whistled past her head. Xari gasped and stumbled back.
“Run.” She feebly tried to push Nya away as she fell to her knees.
Pain exploded below Nya’s ear, and she stumbled, falling next to Xari on the ground.
She brought her hand up, her fingers grazing a dart sticking from the side of her neck. Her sight swam out of focus as she tried to pull herself up.
Military boots came into view. “Leave the other.”
A man, dressed in camo, reached for Xari, and Nya’s foot met the side of his head. He dropped where he stood.
Someone cursed, and then she felt the sting of a needle pierce her arm as everything went black.
Victor stood at the edge of the amphitheater as Jax came out from the trees. “I take it she chose you instead of the Incan.”
Jax smiled. “She chose me. Although she gave me a heart attack before she finally called my name. Why are you here? I thought we agreed you’d be waiting for her in the foyer.”
“She never showed.”
“Sonofabitch.” Jax started down the champion’s path, his eyes scanning the forest. “She’s going to run; you and I both know it. But I didn’t think she’d be reckless
enough to try it tonight.”
Victor’s phone buzzed, and he pulled it from his pocket. “Yes ... No, I have no idea where Toxaris is.” A pause. “Really? Yes. Keep me posted. No need to alert the Chancellor. Not yet, anyway. Call me as soon as you hear from her. And Erik? Thanks.” He hung up and started scrolling through his apps.
“What the hell’s going on?”
Victor kept his eye on the screen. “Apparently, Erik, one of Toxaris’ Chosen, had a bit of a tiff with her. She was upset and took off.”
“You sure she’s missing?”
“According to Erik, she went to the restroom. He waited for a while before he finally went in to check on her, and she was gone.”
“I don’t have a good feeling about this.”
Victor pulled Jax to a stop as he held up the screen. “I’ve patched into the security feed from the consulate’s front steps.” He scrolled back until Xari entered the building. They fast forwarded until Xari came from the side of the building and headed back down the champion’s path.
“She must be waiting for Nya.”
Victor looked at the consulate and then at the screen. “They must be headed to the stables. They shouldn’t be too far ahead of us.”
Jax started jogging down the way, followed closely by Victor.
Dark cloth shrouded a female body that lay on the narrowed path.
“Oh, God. No. No, no, no ...” Jax bolted to her. Blond hair gleamed in the moonlight as he rolled her unconscious body over.
Victor knelt and inspected the dart jutting from her neck. “Perfect aim—nowhere near the carotid or the spine.” He eased the dart from her skin and put it in his pocket.
Jax picked her up as if she were a ragdoll. Xari’s head lolled over his arm as she tried to stir. “We’ll take her to the infirmary. Dak still on call tonight?”
“Yes. Every Tova assigned to the consulate is on duty, especially in the hospital wing.”
“Zander’s doing or yours?”
“Does it matter?” Victor veered them toward the right, and they skirted in and out of the treeline. “The point is Dak will take care of her and make sure she’s all right.”
The Scythian Trials Page 28