Passing by the numerous games rooms, she had to roll her eyes at the howls of laughter coming from the guys. She peeked in as she walked by and smiled when she saw Caleb and Rees playing video games with the rest of the boys in their class. Rees could always been found in the centre of the action. Even though he was younger than the rest of the guys, he fit in well with them and was always up for some fun. Caleb was a lot more reserved than his younger brother. He’d chilled out a lot in comparison to when he’d first come to the academy, but he still seemed reluctant to let loose and usually shied away from the others when they weren’t training. It was good to see him having some fun for a change.
Ash walked quickly out of range of them before any of them spotted her and tried to get her involved in their game. Smiling as a couple of trainees from the year above her as she walked down the corridor, Ash was pleased to see that there wasn’t anyone else standing at the bay of telephones. Even though they weren’t strictly allowed them, many of the trainees had snuck in their own phones.
She didn’t see the point in having one herself. At the moment, the only people she wanted to speak to were right there at the academy with her, and Lana. Once a week or once a fortnight, depending on his schedule, she spoke to her father. It was a way to simply keep the connection open with at least one member of her family. But, honestly, it was her weekly calls to Lana that were the most fun and kept her going.
Dialling the number, she didn’t have to wait long for her friend to answer. Lana picked up on the second ring, obviously expecting her call.
“Aisline?”
She laughed. “Yeah, it’s me. How’d you guess?” Ash grinned the moment she heard her friend’s voice. She was pleased and relieved that their friendship hadn’t collapsed under the weight of her warrior-ship. It was easy to lose contact with those in the real world, friends that they’d grown up with that didn’t understand how difficult this new life was. Admittedly, they hadn’t seen each other in a really long time, not since Aisline had received the mark of the warrior and had been hauled off to the academy, but they were still as close as ever. You didn’t have to see a person every day, or even talk every day, to be close. The pair of them talked at least once a week, and more if any gossip came to their attention.
“So, how are things going over there in the land of the hunky warriors?”
Ash laughed. Lana was seriously jealous that she was surrounded by muscular, sexy, sweating men all day, every day. Not that she would have loved the training so much, but being surrounded by hunky men? Lana would have probably given it a go. “You know. Same old, same old. Train until we drop and all that stuff.”
“It can’t be too much of a hardship. If it was me in your position, I’d lose more water in drool that I would in sweat!” Lana giggled.
“That’s disgusting!”
“But, so true and you know it.”
Shaking her head, Ash laughed at her. Lana would never change and she wouldn’t want her to. She was sweet, bubbly and ever the eternal optimist. She always looked on the bright side of life and always helped Ash to put her troubles into perspective. It was the highlight of her week to talk to Lana. She made her laugh and lightened the stress load on her shoulders.
“And how is that big piece of man-candy?”
“Jackson?”
“Who else?”
Rolling her eyes, she replied, “Busy with training. We all are.”
“Surely you’ve got time for a bit of fun?”
“Have you listened to anything I’ve ever told you? We don’t have any time for anything but training.”
“Well, that sounds boring.”
“Believe me, it’s not. I can’t believe how much I enjoy it all.”
“You’ve always been like that, though.” Lana wasn’t at all athletically inclined.
“It’s the mark. I couldn’t stop even if I wanted to.” And she didn’t. Ash loved this life and knew that it was the best thing that had ever happened to her.
“Just make sure you have time for some fun, too. Remember, I know what you’re like. You take everything too seriously and work too hard. You’ve got to make time to play, and Jackson is the perfect playmate in my opinion.”
“I just want to get it right, you know?” Lana was the one person she could talk to, apart from Kayleigh, and not fear that she would think badly of her. She could say anything, whether it was her fears over the training or her relationship with Jackson and Lana wouldn’t say a bad word, only giving her encouragement.
Ash was scared that she’d never be good enough. That she didn’t have it in her to be a warrior. The guys wouldn’t understand where she was coming from, seeing only the battling side of her. The boys only saw what she let them see, working her fingers to the bone, slogging her guts out and keeping up with the rest of them. They didn’t know how much she worried that she’d fail. Even Jackson didn’t know. Lana did.
“You’re getting it right and you know it, Ash. Look. You just need to lighten up on yourself and remember to enjoy everything you’re going through. This was just the thing you needed in your life. If that warrior mark hadn’t come along and changed your life, you’d still be stuck here, fighting with your mother over ball-gowns and fighting off slime balls who want to marry into your family’s money.” Lana didn’t get serious often, but this was one of those times, knowing that Aisline needed a firm talking to. “Enjoy it. The mark chose you for a good reason. You can do this. You know you can. You can do this with your eyes shut.”
“But Rhian and Cala have the mark.” She had told Lana all about the pair. Lana was in full agreement that Rhian sound like a complete bitch and it was all Ash could do to stop her from coming to the academy and giving Rhian a piece of her mind. Lana really was the best friend ever.
“That’s different. They’re struggling with it for some reason. You’re not. You’re just pushing yourself too hard. Those boys aren’t any better than you and you know it.”
Ash sighed and closed her eyes for a moment, resting her head against the wall. Lana knew how much the abduction by the enemy, the Lamia Mortuorum, had knocked her confidence and took each and every opportunity she could get to play cheerleader. And, bless her for doing that. Aisline needed reassurance on occasion, especially from someone who knew each aspect of her personality and life.
“Thanks, Lana.”
“You don’t need to thank me. You’ve got this. And, now that we’ve got that out of the way, how is that big tattooed hunk you’re dating?”
Lana had almost fainted when Ash had sent her a picture of Jackson. Not that she could blame her. Jackson was way beyond hot.
“You already asked that! I’ve told you, he’s training like the rest of us. There’s not much more to say.”
“There’s always more to say than that.”
“Like what?”
“Describe his sweaty muscles to me again.” Lana chuckled.
“Lana!”
It often threw Ash whenever Lana mentioned about the two of them ‘dating’. Not that she knew how to describe what was going on between them, but ‘dating’ certainly wasn’t it. They were together, but they’d never been on one single official date. There just wasn’t any time for anything like that, or anywhere that they could actually go. They had to grab their moments where and when they could. The training schedule was too demanding and they were both often too exhausted to do anything more than chill out in front of the television together.
“If Jackson’s being a bore and training twenty four seven, what about that super hunk, the shifter? Have you given him my number yet?”
Ash burst out laughing. “I didn’t think you were serious!”
“I wasn’t, but it’s a fun idea.” Lana giggled.
“So, what’s going on with you? Anything new?”
Lana was her connection to the world that she’d grown up in and she didn’t waste a minute before she launched into all the news and gossip, telling Ash everything that was going on. As usual
, Lana stayed away from talking about Aisline’s family and kept the conversation light and entertaining. It was just what she needed to help her relax and feel connected with the outside world. No matter how much she loved this new life and loved the training to become a warrior and someone important, sometimes it felt stifling and it was good to know that life was continuing outside those walls.
After another half an hour of conversation, gossip and girly giggling, they had to hang up, promising to talk again soon. Ash smiled to herself as she walked away from the phone. It was like just by hearing her friend’s voice that she helped to put everything in her life into perspective. Those talks with Lana helped to keep her feet firmly planted on the ground. It was so easy to be consumed by the training schedule and the preparations for her future, it was easy to forget that there was more to life than that. Family. Friends. They were the reason that they were working so hard. These were the people that they were going to be protecting in the future. It made it all seem so much more real.
Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear that had come loose from her ponytail, she decided to head back up to her bedroom to finish the latest ‘Black Dagger Brotherhood’ book that she’d picked up. She didn’t have the strength or energy to make small talk with anyone and certainly didn’t want to sit through the guys playing on their games. Plus, those were some mighty fine warriors and were badass to the extreme. If only they had some of those guys here at the academy, she’d be a very happy bunny.
Heading back down the corridor, she paused when she heard strained voices coming from inside one of the offices. The door was slightly ajar and it was easy to hear what was being said, and who was talking. Master Warriors Kelton and Verynai.
She knew that she shouldn’t be standing there, listening into a private conversation, but when she heard Trey’s name, she couldn’t help herself.
“At least he’s back here now.”
“But, where’s he been? That’s what I want to know.”
“Who knows? The kid won’t say.”
“Well, we need to get it out of him. He was missing. We’ve had men out on the streets looking for him when they could have been elsewhere actually doing the jobs that I needed doing.”
“He knows all that and he’s still not saying.”
“You know what? I would have been surprised at any of them pulling a stunt like this, but Trey? I would never have expected him to do something like this in a million years. He’s devoted to the training and the warrior-ship. I can’t think what could have derailed him like this.”
“Trey is a good kid.”
“But, where the hell’s he been then? We really don’t need this shit on top of everything else. As if I haven’t got enough to deal with.”
“How are you doing, man? Any word on Kayleigh yet?”
That was when Aisline got moving. As much as she wanted to stay and find out what was happening with their search for Kayleigh, she knew that this particular conversation was supposed to be private between the two warriors. She’d heard more than she was supposed to already.
Trey. Where had he been? Ash was relieved to hear that he was back at the academy and couldn’t wait to catch up with him in the morning to find out what had been going on. It wasn’t like Trey to mess about like this, the warriors were right about that.
For now, her body was starting to feel like lead again as she slowly climbed up the stairs. It took nearly all of her energy to change into a clean pair of pyjamas and get into bed. It almost seemed like too much effort to hold the book up in front of her and all too soon, her eyes were drooping and blissful sleep claimed her.
Chapter Thirteen
They all shivered. The days were getting colder with the wind sweeping over the vast lands that surrounded the mansion. Winter was dragging on longer than any of the weather forecasters could have predicted. Days and weeks were moulding into one long agonising training session, punctuated by periods of sleep. It was all getting too much, but the trainees wouldn’t give up or give in.
“I can’t feel my fingers.”
“I’m going to look like a smurf if we stay out here any longer.”
Aisline’s fingers felt like they were turning into ice cubes. It was beyond freezing. She knew that they would all warm up as soon as they started the session and the blood started pumping around her body, but while they were still stood waiting around for instructions, she could feel her toes starting to go numb.
Who came up with the stupid idea to train outside today of all days when the weather was the worst it had been in weeks? Kelton’s, of course. It may be icy cold with snow drifting down from the sky, but that wasn’t enough to disrupt his training plans.
It was a gorgeous sight, Ash had to admit that. When she was a kid, there was nothing she loved more than a snow filled day of fun. It always looked so pretty and magical, she didn’t understand anyone who didn’t love snow. Days full of snowmen, snow-angels and snowball fights. Warm hot chocolate. Just the thought of it made her mouth water. What she wouldn’t give right now for a cup of steaming hot chocolate.
“What’s going on today?” Caleb asked.
The rest of them looked at each other. “Another one of Kelton’s surprises.”
It was too cold for this. They were all shivering and complaining as they waited for the session to get started.
“Listen up!” Kelton bellowed. “Get moving, get warmed up. This isn’t going to be a walk in the park and you need to be ready.” He was wearing only shorts and a tee-shirt, and unlike the rest of them, he wasn’t even wearing a hoodie. The man was a goddamn machine.
Ash started jogging on the spot and stretching her arms, desperate to get warm. She knew she had to stretch and warm up well so her muscles didn’t cramp in the cold. Brushing snowflakes from her eyelashes, she rolled her eyes at Caleb. This was ridiculous. How Kelton thought they were going to cope with this bitterly cold training session, she didn’t know.
“This is total madness.” Caleb whispered to her.
Nodding briefly, Aisline didn’t have time to reply. Kelton had moved over closer to the group, making sure they were all moving and glaring at anyone who spoke.
After what felt like a ridiculously long time, the trainees weren’t feeling quite as cold as they had been and Kelton quickly gathered them all in a small huddle. “Each of you must complete five circuits of the agility course. The last five members to complete their laps will have two more added.”
The trainees all looked at one another. Sure, they had warmed up, but that was asking way too much of them. Caleb, Ash, Jackson, Trey and Dylan all grouped together, looking concerned. Five laps of the circuit was ambitious in normal circumstances, but in this weather? It was too much to ask for. Kelton was asking for them to break a bone or something. It was crazy. It was going to be virtually impossible to do.
Ash glanced around at the boys and sighed. At least they would be able to pull together to get through this. Perhaps that had been what Kelton had wanted from this, his reckoning behind the insane idea? Team work? After all, being part of the Sons of Satrina was all about working in a team. Who knew?
“Go, go, go! Move it!”
The trainees all sprinted through the snow to the course. It was hard going. Ice and snow made every surface slippery and dangerous, the metal of part of the frame freezing cold to the touch. Each and every one of them fell or slipped at one point or another, but they had each other’s back to get through it. It was a wonder that no one suffered any serious injury.
Just as that thought flitted through Aisline’s mind, one of the trainees slipped from the frame, the snow cushioning their fall. Everyone paused for a moment, making sure they weren’t seriously hurt, watching as the warriors rushed over to help them up and cart them off to the doctor to be checked out.
“I told you this was a stupid idea.” Aisline muttered.
“Yeah, but Kelton isn’t going to call if off so we might as well keep going.” Jackson replied, hauling himself up the
rope ladder.
“Just be careful.” Caleb warned, letting Ash go in front of him so he could keep an eye on her. It was nothing to do with being sexist, it was simply him being a friend and she knew that.
Aisline hated every single second of it. The snow was falling hard and harder, sticking to her clothes and soaking her through to the skin. It was miserable. Under the usual gruelling training circumstance, Ash sometimes struggled but she usually enjoyed it. She enjoyed the sense of achievement that she felt, relishing the burn and the feeling that she was doing something important with her life. This was pure torture. It felt like she was relying on the boys most of the time to get around the course, slowing them down and feeling like a burden. She felt like a broken cog in a well-oiled machine.
Luckily, they finished ahead of the others, thanks to the guys she was with and Kelton congratulated them all. Even that didn’t make her feel much better. All she wanted to do was curl up in her bed and hope that the warmth of her duvet would chase away the icy chills that invaded every single part of her body.
“That was horrendous.”
“But you did it.” Kelton surprised her by stepping up behind her, his tone was warm. Lately, all they’d heard from him was harsh words and barked orders so it was a bit of a shock to hear the old Kelton for once.
Kelton shockingly sent them inside as soon as they’d finished the course, directing them to the gym. They all groaned. After that torturous session, they’d been hoping that they were done for the day. Obviously Kelton had other plans. They didn’t think they had it in them to carry on with training, all feeling shaky with the exertion and ready to drop.
Walking into through the main reception area, Jackson shook his head like a dog, shaking droplets of melted snow on the pristine floor. “I can’t believe that he really had us doing that.”
“I must admit, I was surprised. It was dangerous. It’s a wonder no one was seriously hurt.” Trey commented. “But, I did enjoy it.”
“Yeah, it was different. But, I won’t want to do it again in a hurry.”
Changing Fates: A Sons of Satrina Novel (The Sons of Satrina Book 3) Page 17