by E. M. Moore
* * *
Fueled by my new knowledge, I threw myself into the obstacle course after lunch. I made it all the way across the horizontal ladder and most of the way up the rope climb. Samuel had told me to push myself as far as I could go and then drop when I needed to. They would add seconds to my run times based on how far I had left to go. The shorter the length, the less seconds they would add. The longer I had to go, the more seconds they would add.
We ran the course a few times like we usually did and then Samuel brought us together in a group. He stood in front of us, his hands on his hips as he glowered down. “I think it’s time. We’re not just going to race against our old times, now we’re going to race against others.”
The guys started to cheer, and I looked over at Shannon. A small smile pulled at her lips.
“First up, Evan versus Zeke.”
Evan and Zeke lined up on the starting line and shook hands. Samuel shouted for them to go and they took off. It may have been my imagination, but Zeke took off harder than I’d ever seen him before. I hated to admit it, but his physical prowess was quite impressive.
“Okay,” I said, leaning toward Shannon. “Please tell me what’s going on.”
“Time trials are over, and the real competition begins. From now on, we’re going to race against one another. At the end of our training, it culminates in one last epic event. Think playoffs in human football. The trainee who wins all their races is the number one guard out of this class. The number one guard gets the best station. Well, at least they’re supposed to.” She glanced at me, and I shrugged it off, knowing what she meant. That was up in the air now that the Ravanas brought me here. Everyone just assumed they would give me the guard of the Ravanas now, whether I deserved it or not. I wanted to deserve it. “They put us all in a bracket based on how well we do in training all year. Just like in other sports, you’re a number one seed all the way down to the last spot. Say number ten seed or whatever. You’ll want to be a high seed.”
“I understand,” I said, knowing exactly what she meant. I’d watched my fair share of sparring competitions at the martial arts school I cleaned back in Virginia and they did it similarly.
I watched as Zeke overtook Evan at the tire agility obstacle and lengthened his lead from there. I wouldn’t say he beat Evan easily, but it was with a marked difference in time. Samuel took notes, then looked down at his clipboard and called out another pairing. He did this while I watched the other races, making sure to stretch my legs and arms, as I waited for my name to be called. Finally, he did. He called my name along with Liv. She was the trainee who’d said being next to the vampires and not being able to have them was pure torture my first night here.
We shook hands and then waited for Samuel’s signal to start. As soon as I heard it, I took off. Blood thumped through my veins, adrenaline coursing through me, hurling me forward. I completed the horizontal ladder faster than I ever had. I launched myself up the hay bales and across the thin wooden plank as fast as I could. In fact, when I got close enough to the edge, I jumped over and right to the next hay bale down. Next was the rope climb. It must have been the adrenaline rush because I made it to the top. I reached up and rang the bell, which was literally music to my ears. The other trainees applauded, excited for me. I fell halfway down the rope, stumbled, but still made it to the cargo net before Liv.
I decided then and there I wasn’t going to keep looking over at her. I was getting distracted. I would just run my race. I launched myself over that and then into the tires next. My whole body shook with energy as I went from one obstacle to the next. With singular focus, I stared at the finish line until I ran across it.
I looked back and noticed I’d beaten Liv. She was still on the last obstacle. “Holy shit,” I said, smiling to myself. I won. I couldn’t believe I’d won.
I gave her a high-five as she sprinted across. “Good job, Liv.”
“Nice work,” she said, giving me an energetic smile.
What a rush, I thought as I moved back to the group waiting for their name to be called again. That was crazy.
I’d just barely gotten my breath back when my name was called again. The air whooshed from my lungs. Zeke? Did he just say Zeke?
He had. Zeke was already making his way to the start of the course, an infuriating smirk on his face. Instead of scowling at Samuel, which was really what I wanted to do, I smiled. It didn’t matter that he’d had more time to catch his breath or that he was, in general, in better shape than I was. I was going to give it my all.
Kick their ass, I could almost hear Nicolai saying.
I lined up and as soon as I heard Samuel shout, I sprinted from the line. The race passed in a blur. He was ahead of me after the rope climb because I heard his bell first, but after that, I lost track. My limbs hurt, my energy was draining, but I pushed through. When we got to the army crawl, I saw him just ahead of me, which gave me another burst of energy. I wasn’t so far behind him after all. I stayed low to the ground and pushed and pushed. Miraculously enough, I passed him. His collar had gotten caught on one of the barbs. I dug in the next couple of feet and then rolled to a standing position as soon as I passed the obstacle. The other trainees were cheering, the sound echoed in my ears. I saw Shannon and her bright red hair just on the other side of the finish line waving me over. It was almost as if it was slow motion. Her mouth opened, cheering, but I couldn’t understand a word of it. Finally, I finished and launched myself right at Shannon.
“Holy shit,” she said, throwing her arms around me. “You beat Zeke! You did it!”
I turned around, stunned. Sure enough, Zeke was just now crossing the finish line, his face red, blood staining his shirt from where he had caught it on the barbs.
My mouth dropped as Evan came over to clap me on the back. Liv, too, came over and gave me a hug. I jumped up and down with them and celebrated. Then, Samuel was in front of us and we stilled, coming to attention. “Nice job, Stuart.”
I beamed at him and watched as he walked away.
“That’s all for the day,” he shouted. “See you in the a.m.”
A few other trainees came over to congratulate me as I guzzled down some water. I thanked them, basking in the glory. Who knew how long it would last? Zeke probably wouldn’t make that mistake the next time and would crush me. Who cares? I could always say I did it once. And, who knew? Maybe I could beat Zeke for the top guard spot and earn my station at the Ravanas. That would be…epic—to use Shannon’s word.
I still had a smile on my face as I made my way toward the guard building for dinner. I was in desperate need of a shower. Maybe I could hang out with the other trainees afterward since I didn’t have to have my “class” with the princes.
A vice-like grip curled around my arm.
“Hey!” I said, trying to pull it free.
Zeke was in front of me then. His face as furious as I’d ever seen it. Not just pissed, but the kind of hate that also had fear behind it. The worst kind of hate. He slammed me against the building, and my head cracked against the stone. My vision went blurry for a second, and there was a whooshing between my ears. My feet weren’t touching the ground anymore either. All my weight was being held up with Zeke’s cold fingers twisted around my neck. I clawed at him, losing my breath, but he wouldn’t let go. I tried to speak, but it only came out as gurgled sounds. I hacked at his arms, leaving red marks behind, but still his grip remained.
He moved in closer, his sour breath infiltrating my nose. “I don’t like to lose,” he said through clenched teeth. “Especially to vamp whores.”
I kicked out, and then I was dropping. I fell on my ass, my feet splayed out in front of me. Right before me, Zeke was huddled over, his hand cupping his balls. Even though I was choking, trying to at least catch my breath, I couldn’t stop the smirk that came to my face. I’d got him, and right exactly where I aimed too. “Screw you, Zeke,” I choked out.
I grabbed the water bottle I’d dropped and walked around him, quickl
y making it to my room and locking the door behind me.
Suspicions confirmed, I thought to myself. It was Zeke who put the letter on my door. I leaned back against the locked door. My throat was killing me. I moved to the bathroom to look at it in the mirror when something silver and shiny caught my eye on the dresser. It was a cell phone.
Nicolai left me a cell phone. He’d said he left me something on the dresser, and I’d forgotten to check during lunch. I picked it up, choking back tears as I replayed the day’s events in my head. The note, how pissed my princes were, them telling me they were leaving, the great day of training where I was totally proving myself, and Zeke. Now here I was clutching a cell phone in my hand that they’d left me. They hadn’t abandoned me here with no one.
At that thought, the phone rang. When the screen lit up, I noticed I had missed messages and calls throughout the day. I covered my mouth as I saw the name show up on the screen. It read, Dark, Sexy, & Badass. It had to have been Nic. I was so happy to hear from them that I answered without thinking. “Hi,” I said, choking back tears.
Alarm immediately filled his voice. I could feel the tension through the phone. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” I blurted out. Not wanting to ruin the moment. “I just got back in and noticed the surprise you left me.”
My voice sounded off even to my own ears. It was dry and crackly. That asshole better not have crushed my vocal chords, I thought. “So, you’re getting all weepy?” he asked.
A chorus of aww’s sounded on the other side of the line.
I covered my mouth, choking back a definite sob. I fell to the bed and tucked my knees to my chest and made myself calm down. I removed my hand. “I guess so,” I said, then covered my mouth again so as not to let anything else escape. The Ravanas were far more observant that they ever let on. “Sorry,” I ventured.
“Don’t be,” he said. “It’s cute. We’ve been wondering where you’ve been. When we get off the phone, check yours, there’ll be a ton of messages to make you all weepy again.”
I closed my eyes and listened as Nicolai’s voice soothed me. It was as if he was right there, talking to me. He told me about his day, what the others were doing, and how Connor had pissed their father off so royally that I was already starting to laugh. We talked and talked until he could tell I was sleepy, then he handed the phone off to his brothers, so we could all say good night. Instead of going to bed unsure and alone, I drifted off with the knowledge that I was cared for. Even if they weren’t right there next to me, I still had them.
12
Days passed without the Ravana princes. Though it was lonely, the cell phone Nicolai left was my lifeline to them. Every day I received texts that brought a smile to my face. It was evident Nic himself had entered all their names and numbers into my contacts list. There was his: Dark, Sexy & Badass. There was really nothing to argue with there. Then there was The Brooder, The Worry-Wart Healer, and the Thinks He’s Funny, But He’s Not. I was leaving those names in there for now since I laughed every time my phone dinged with a new message, but when they all got back to The Fort, I’d change them. Stephan’s and Connor’s entries weren’t right at all. I was thinking names to match all their personalities like Nicolai had used for himself. Instead of The Brooder for Christian, maybe I’d choose Hot Brooding Hero. Then again, maybe I’d just use their regular names because if they ever stole my phone and saw what I called them, I’d probably die of embarrassment.
Zeke was keeping his distance ever since he almost crushed my trachea. Or maybe it was me avoiding him. Angry red marks still marred the skin on my neck. I half hoped they would be gone by the time the guys returned to The Fort, and half hoped they wouldn’t. If they noticed, and I just happened to let it slip that Zeke was the culprit, it wasn’t as if he would get something he didn’t deserve.
The other trainees noticed the bruising, but they never said anything. Not even Shannon. I get the fact that my being here turned everyone’s world upside down, but it also wasn’t my choice. For now, I guessed we were operating under the ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ line of thinking. The only thing I could do was throw myself further into training.
I continued to do better and better with my physical requirements along with the martial arts workouts. After lunch, Samuel paired me up with someone new every day to run the obstacle course against, but my second race was always versus Zeke. I’d yet to beat him again. Though I could now climb the rope and ring the bell, I was still slower than he was doing it. Every single race, I fell behind and could never make up the time.
This afternoon was no exception. I stumbled across the line, throwing everything I had into the last few feet. It was no use. Zeke had already finished nearly four seconds before I did. Four seconds didn’t seem like that long, but it was when talking about racing. Shannon gave me a half-smile and clapped me on the back before everyone else picked up their water bottles and sweat towels and started walking toward the guardian building. I was the last to catch my breath and follow. I stayed clear of the buildings that lined the walk on my way to my room, not wanting to get blind-sided again. All the training I’d been doing wasn’t worth anything if I didn’t use my head too.
“Ariana,” a voice called out behind me.
Turning, I found Samuel jogging my way, his step featherlight and graceful. It reminded me of watching the princes and a crack opened in my heart. Just how long were they going to be gone? I’d wanted to ask, but also didn’t want to seem like the needy girlfriend.
I clutched at my chest and took a deep breath. By this time, Samuel was in front of me. He gestured forward. “Care to walk with me?”
I nodded, my instincts on high alert already. Samuel had been nothing but indifferent toward me since I got here, but his initial feelings about my presence still stuck with me. He’d evidently thought I was nothing but a vamp whore, too. The thought made me sick. They must not know the Ravanas at all because there was no way they would do that. Not even just to me, but to anyone.
He strolled next to me for a few paces without saying anything. With every step, my heart lodged in my throat a little higher. I didn’t know what this was about, but it must have been something important. He hadn’t taken the time to talk to me privately before. Finally, he asked, “How are you adapting here so far?”
I pulled the collar of my shirt up around my neck, trying not to garner any attention as I did so. “Going well.”
“No…complaints?” he asked, his voice tense.
I shook my head, my sweat-laden braid swishing across my back. His intense eyes were questioning. He may have guessed, or knew, something had happened, but he wasn’t saying anything either.
He nodded. “You’re doing much better than when you first started. I must admit, when I first saw you on the rope climb, I thought the princes had made a terrible mistake. How were you ever going to guard them if you couldn’t even lift your own bodyweight?” He snickered to himself even though I didn’t find it all that funny. “Everyone can see your improvement, however. The princes will be happy to hear that when I give them an update when they get back. You’re quickly moving up to the top of the class.”
Despite myself, a small smile spread over my face. He was actually complimenting me. “Thank you.”
He stopped and put a hand on my shoulder. Leaning over me, his eyes locked on mine. “The Ravanas are our noble family. Because of that, the princes can get away with a lot. I promise you, though, they will not get away with choosing their own guard unless that guard is the best in the class.” He straightened up and smiled down. “I’m not sure what they’re telling you, Ariana, but if you want the station with them, you’ll have to beat Zeke in the finals. Though it may not matter to the princes, I can guarantee you their mother and father will have a say in who they bring into their home, and their decision far outweighs the princes. Do you understand?”
My stomach hollowed out. Mouth dry, I nodded. Not that I thought I would be able to form a coherent word an
yway after he dropped that bomb on me. The princes had promised I’d stay with them no matter what.
Calm down, I told myself. I’d beaten Zeke before, and this news didn’t really change anything. I said before I wanted to deserve the placement with the Ravanas, this just added an extra dose of reality. Four seconds was between me and what I wanted most. I had to figure out a way to make that time up.
“I know you don’t know much about our world, but the safety of the princes is our utmost concern. They will run The Council one day. Just like in your world, those with more power and prestige make themselves targets. It’s not a job to be taken lightly. The princes have other ideals that often don’t mesh with older vampires. Regardless of their beliefs with the guard issue, they will be made to see reason. And if they can’t, their decision will be overruled.”
I paled. I hadn’t thought about how important guarding the Ravanas would be on a vampire level. I’d only regarded it in a way that they were my friends—my saviors—and there was no way I wanted them hurt. I stretched my fingers out, trying to get rid of the tension coiling inside me.
“Do you understand what I’m telling you?” Samuel asked.
“Yes.”
He nodded once. “Good.”
Samuel continued to walk toward the building and I followed him. Neither one of us said another word to one another until he took a right down the path toward the main building while I kept going toward my room. As soon as I stepped into the guardian building, voices met my ears. Everyone was all relaxed from a hard day. I could see some sitting in the lounge area with their feet up. Further still, I could see the open doors that led to the cafeteria where the majority of the noise came from.
I really wanted nothing more than to go to my room and think about everything Samuel had just said to me, but my stomach was growling. If I didn’t get anything to eat right now, I wouldn’t eat. The princes weren’t here to take me off site, and the cafeteria would be closing soon. Making my decision, I walked into the cafeteria and filled my tray with steamed vegetables and a piece of rotisserie chicken. I didn’t stop at one of the tables or the lounge though, I kept going and took the food right to my room where I could be alone with my thoughts. I walked by Shannon and Liv who were deep in conversation with Evan. My only consolation was that my cell phone was up in my room and I’d probably have messages waiting for me.