Hunter Trials

by Caroline Peckham

  I spotted Colt beside Arabella, his jaw set. He wore dark shorts, his chest bare and marked with red paint. Potentially blood. The symbol of Vita clan gleamed on his torso. He was frightening to behold, surely more ready for this than I was.

  I glanced at Hawke and he gave me an intense look. “Forget him,” he said. “This isn't a competition. You just have to make it to the top in the time frame.”

  My throat grew dry as I nodded. I could see into the first level of the tower where two black platforms with pulleys stood at the centre, offering passage to the next level.

  Only a few of Tenebris clan were present; Bain was evidently still in the hole. And I was glad not to have his hungry eyes on me during this. I needed to be completely focused.

  Arabella stepped forward from her clan and Hawke swiftly mimicked her. They turned to face the crowd and silence fell as Arabella spoke. “Make it to the top in one hour or you will be exiled from your clans.”

  Hawke took over, “You can die in this tower. People have lost their lives in it before.” He fixed me in his dark gaze. “Consider each task, do not rush yourselves into danger.”

  I nodded, feeling a hand on my shoulder, turning to find Tykera there, smiling at me. My name was written across her forehead in black soot. I laughed at the sight, spotting Harlen bobbing up and down, pointing to the same thing on his face.

  “Good luck,” she whispered, squeezing my arm before stepping back.

  Hawke gestured for us to move forward and Colt joined my side, his arm brushing mine as we moved toward the entrance of the tower.

  “You ready?” he asked under his breath.

  “I think so,” I replied. “You?”

  “Always.” He smirked and I rolled my eyes. “Together?” he added and my stomach swirled.

  I nodded, a smile creeping onto my face. With him by my side, how could I fail?

  “But if I fall behind, go ahead,” he muttered as the crowd started chanting. Someone started beating a war drum until it was all I could hear.

  I frowned at Colt, not answering as Arabella and Hawke cried, “Three, two, one – GO!”

  My legs took control, urging me into the tower. Colt passed me, jumping onto the furthest square platform and grabbing the pulley.

  I sprang onto the other, snatching the rope and yanking down hard. I was lifting my entire weight. Every time I pulled, the platform rose a foot, but if I let up for a second, it started sinking again. Colt was already at the top as my arms began to burn. I tugged as hard as I could, bringing the rope right down between my feet as I fell into a squat. Over and over until my head raised above the next level. The platform locked into place and I sprang off of it, surveying the next challenge.

  Two large metal cubes stood on one side of the rectangular space; the only way to get up to the next level would be to push them under the gap in the ceiling. Colt took the lead, darting behind one of them and shoving his weight against it. It slid a couple of feet forward and I hurried behind the other cube, throwing my shoulder against it. The opening to the next level was at the opposite end of the space. I'd have to push it the whole way if I was going to make it up, but it seemed to weigh a tonne. I groaned, throwing all of my weight into it and the block slid across the floor.

  Getting it moving was the hardest part. My thigh muscles flexed as I placed my hands on the cool metal, pushing as hard as I could. Colt already had his in place and was perched atop it, waiting for me, urging me on.

  I cried out with effort as I dug my heels in, gaining one metre at a time, pushing and pushing until it finally slid under the gap in the ceiling. I panted in relief, scrambling up atop it. Colt leapt up, grabbing the ledge and heaving himself over it. He cried out, ducking his head in an instant. I couldn't see what from until I jumped up, snatching hold of the ledge beside his feet. My heart rate soared as I spotted a huge suspended axe, swinging back and forth across the platform like a pendulum. It must have missed Colt's head by inches.

  He crawled away from it as I got myself up, hurrying to follow him. Beyond the swinging axe slicing through the air before us left and right, was a ladder leading up to the next level. The axe moved faster, a rush of air blowing over me every time it passed.

  Colt stood, assessing the timing of the swings. I hugged his side, watching as it swung left, right, left, right.

  We had about two seconds to make it through. My breathing grew shaky and I clenched my fists to try and calm my racing heart.

  You can do this.

  Colt gave me a nod which I returned. As the axe soared to the left, we ran, charging across the platform and crashing into the ladder.

  I whooped in relief as the blade tore along behind me. Colt gave me a sideways smile, taking hold of the ladder and scaling it quickly. He ducked his head as he reached the next level, then disappeared as he climbed over the ledge.

  As fast as I could, I followed, heading up to the next level. Colt took my arm, dragging me backwards as I entered the next level. I searched for a task, but the platform was smooth, split into square panels. Two ropes awaited us on the far side of it, but I couldn't see what would stop us from walking straight over to them.

  I stepped forward and the second I did, the floor trembled. Several panels dropped out from the platform, falling down and clattering to the level below where the swinging axe awaited us.

  I gasped, running forward, nearly losing my footing as a panel plummeted beneath my feet. A gap before me made me jump, but as I landed across from it, the floor dropped out beneath me. I cried out, my stomach swooping as I plunged down, grabbing hold of the ledge just in time.

  The axe swung below me with a whoosh of air, just inches from my heels. I groaned with effort as I tried to haul myself up. Boots appeared before me and Colt dragged me upright so I was hugged into his chest. The panel beneath us creaked and we dove toward the far edge, his hand never leaving my wrist.

  We crashed into the far wall and the entire floor fell away.

  I screamed as Colt shouted, “The ropes!”

  I dove forward in the same moment he did, reaching for the nearest rope. I caught it by the tips of my fingers, holding on tight as I gazed down at the ten foot fall beneath me. Colt started scaling his rope, one hand over the other. I mimicked him, finding it easy in comparison to our last trial, able to climb it relatively quickly.

  Gripping the next platform, I dragged myself up onto it. We'd climbed thirty feet already.

  I spotted a man in a harness gazing in at us from beyond the tower. He gave us a thumbs up and a bright smile.

  I managed to return it before facing our next task. A metallic grinding sound caught my attention and I spotted a line of rotating blades running toward the opposite side of the platform. Above it was a row of monkey bars, leading to a ladder.

  Colt jumped up onto a block below the start of the bars and I hurried to follow. My breath came in ragged pants as he turned to me.

  “Keep your eyes on the ladder,” he said. “I'll go first.”

  I nodded, thankful for the break as he leapt upward, snatching the bars in his fists. He moved across the bars with ease, dropping onto the ladder and hooking his leg around it as he gazed back at me. He beckoned me onward and I nodded, bracing myself as I gazed up at the first bar.

  Wiping my slick hands down my trousers, I took one deep breath then launched myself upwards, catching hold of it. I gazed at Colt, fixing my eyes on him as I moved forward. Fear pounded through me. The grinding of the blades was all I could focus on as I moved, swinging from one bar to the next, desperate not to fall.

  My arms ached as I moved, reaching the halfway point. My palms were growing sweaty again and as I took hold of the next bar, my other hand slipped. I gasped, terror scorching through me as I flailed, trying to get hold of the bar.

  “Grab it!” Colt roared and I did, somehow, miraculously, I did.

  My heart thundered in my ears as I swung myself forward again.

  One bar at a time. Just keep going.

&
nbsp; As I reached the ladder, Colt hooked an arm around my waist, pulling me onto it. I sighed my relief, sagging forward as I gripped the ladder, my whole body trembling.

  “Thank you,” I gasped and he gave me a small grin.

  Colt went ahead and I followed him up to the next level, trying to will my heart rate to settle. My body was getting tired, my arms aching from how much they'd already been through. So I was thankful to find the next task didn't need upper body strength.

  Two seats awaited us attached to pulleys and a plate sat at one end of them for our feet. As I dropped into one of the seats, I pressed my feet to the plate and pushed. Colt copied me. Each push made our platforms rise on a pully system. I forced all of my energy into my legs, gaining height as I pressed the plate with my feet.

  My head rose above the next platform and what awaited me made my stomach churn. I tried to focus on my current task, pushing my feet against the plate once more before the platform locked into place. Scrambling out of the seat, I gazed at the single tightrope ahead of me that led to the next ladder. But beneath it was a row of upright spikes.

  Fear tangled with my veins as Colt led the way to the block that gave us access to the rope. He offered me a hand and I let him pull me up beside him.

  “Shit,” Colt growled. “How's your balance?”

  I gazed down at the spikes in fear. “Hopefully good enough.”

  He pressed a foot to the rope, testing the tautness of it. It was thick, but only a third of the width of his foot.

  Glancing back at me, I gave him an encouraging smile, even though my nerves were fraught.

  Don't fall. Please don't fall.

  He edged onto the rope until his whole weight pressed down on it, dipping the line. He raised his arms either side of him, finding his balance before taking his first step. My fingers tingled with the urge to grab him if he fell, but he was soon too far away for me to reach. He was on his own and one false move would send him plummeting to his death.

  I ground my teeth, watching as he carefully placed one foot ahead of the other. He was almost at the ladder when he wobbled violently.

  My stomach jolted.

  I almost stepped onto the rope myself as he lost his balance.

  Gasping aloud, I watched helplessly as he stumbled, flailed, then fell.

  “Colt!” I screamed just as he grabbed hold of the rope with both hands, swinging beneath it.

  He locked his knees around it, but two of the spikes tore up his back.

  I clawed at my hair, waiting for him to confirm he was alright. But he did nothing but groan, then started to shimmy his way toward the ladder. Blood dripped onto the spikes and as he took hold of the ladder, I saw the extent of his wounds. Two deep gashes either side of his spine. Not fatal, but bad enough to continue pouring blood. He steadied himself on the ladder, not seeming too affected by the pain. Taking a slow breath, he brought his eyes up to meet mine.

  “I'm fine,” he panted in response to my expression.

  I shook my head. “You're bleeding.”

  “It's nothing,” he said and the look in his eye convinced me.

  Steadying my gaze on the rope, I placed my foot onto it. I had good balance. I'd often climbed out onto the castle roof during my youth. Only in the summer, of course. If my parents had known, they would have killed me. But I prayed my past defiance would help me now.

  I balanced my weight, carefully placing my other foot down until I was entirely suspended on the rope. Keeping my chin up, I set my sights on the ladder and started moving, arms raised either side of me.

  I moved with surprising grace and soon trusted my feet to carry me to the other side. Colt reached out a hand and I took it, letting him guide me onto the ladder. A bead of sweat sailed down my spine, sending a shiver through to my bones.

  How many more levels did we have to go? I couldn't tell how high we'd climbed unless I moved to the edge. But I was unable to act on that idea as I scrambled onto the next level, finding the next task.

  The platform was surrounded by metal walls on all sides. As Colt climbed up beside me, the wall behind and in front started moving with the sound of whirring cogs. They slid toward as at a steady speed, immediately pushing us toward the centre of the platform. Above us was a gap in the roof. But it was ten foot high and with the walls moving toward us, I had no idea how we were going to get up.

  My heart beat out of tune as the walls closed to a metre gap. But as they did, I spotted small hand-holds near the top of the walls, barely visible in the low light. I leapt for the first, but it was just out of reach of my fingers. Colt jumped up, catching hold of one, glancing down at me, hanging from the ring with one hand whilst offering me the other.

  Half a metre of space left.

  I jumped, grabbing his fingers, but my sweaty palm slid through his and I hit the floor, stumbling back.

  With a quarter of metre left, panic rose in my chest.

  “Just go!” I cried to Colt.

  His eyes darkened, then he released his hold, slamming to his feet beside me.

  “What are you doing?” I gasped.

  He rammed his back against one of the walls, pressing his feet to the other, straining his muscles as he kept the two of them from closing further. Locking his hands together, he shouted, “Climb!”

  My heart squeezed with fear.

  My shoulders shuddered.

  I didn't have a choice but to comply. I stepped into his cupped hands, reaching up the wall and snatching hold of one of the rings. Hoisting myself up, my fingers grazed the next platform. The walls started closing again and I halted climbing, slamming my feet to one wall and pressing my back to the other. With all my might, I pushed, buying Colt a couple of precious seconds.

  He leapt up, grabbing a ring on one of the walls and hauling himself upwards, his biceps flexing. My back strained against the pressure. My knees buckled. I was stuck in the position, the weight of the two walls pushing me to my limits. Colt scrambled up onto the next platform, dropped to his knees and grabbed my waist.

  “Go slack,” he commanded.

  Knowing this would crush me or save me, I did as he said, letting my body go limp and placing my life in his hands.

  I gasped as he dragged me upwards with inhuman strength. The walls crashed together below me and I wrapped my arms and legs around Colt, trembling.

  “Thanks,” I gasped as he placed me down.

  His mouth pulled up at one corner. “Thank you.” He turned me around and I raised my brows at the final challenge. We were atop the highest level, but before us were two huge metal struts, reaching up fifty feet to a wooden platform near the arching ceiling. Between the struts was a wide gap with a net hanging between them, rising all the way up to the finish line.

  We hurried forward, starting to climb, but the second I put my full weight on the net, a whistling noise caught my ear and something sharp slammed into my back. I cried out, reaching behind me, pulling a dart from my skin. I gazed toward the back wall of the cavern, spotting the men and women in harness, blowguns in their hands.

  My head spun as whatever was in that dart took effect.

  “Keep going,” Colt urged who was already several feet above.

  I started climbing, sprinting up the net as fast as I could. A dart whooshed past my ear, ruffling my hair and I ducked on instinct, my hands knotting into the rope of the net.

  I gritted my teeth as my body grew heavier, the dart evidently tipped with some kind of sedative. I climbed again as fast as I could, scaling another few feet.

  With a cry, another dart sliced into my shoulder. I tugged it out fast, throwing it away, but my whole arm became limp and I could barely use it to help myself move.

  Locking my good arm around the rope, I pushed myself harder, moving as quickly as I could manage.

  My legs began to tingle. I was losing momentum. My body wasn't working quick enough.

  Colt swore and I spotted him tugging a dart out of his calf. He used the rest of his strength to pull him
self up, his left leg going slack beneath him.

  My right arm was completely dead and my left was my weakest, making my ascent painfully slow. But I never stopped, just fixed my gaze on the finish line and kept climbing.

  No way was I going to lose this trial. I'd come this far. Just twenty feet left to go.

  My vision darkened as I continued on, digging deep for every ounce of strength I had left. Sleep pulled at me. My eyelids grew heavy. I was five feet from the platform.

  Colt became a shadow, dragging himself over the wooden ledge. In my dream-like state, I reached out to him, my vision failing. My body ran out of juice. I was going to fall.

  My fingers stretched uselessly above me.

  Colt's shouts were muffled.

  My stomach soared as I lost control of my body and plummeted from the net, sailing toward failure.

  Someone was pouring something into my mouth; metallic and sickly. I knew that flavour: Vampire blood.

  I groaned, blinking awake, finding Hawke standing over me. The ceiling behind him seemed miles away, so I knew I wasn't on the top of the tower.

  Emotion tore at my insides.

  I swallowed hard, pushing Hawke's arm away as he tried to drain more blood into my mouth.

  “I didn't make it,” I gasped.

  Colt came into view behind him, standing over Hawke with a taut expression.

  “Yes you did,” Hawke growled. “Thanks to him.” He glanced at Colt who gave me a small, victorious smile.

  “Does that count?” I breathed, spying Arabella as she floated into view, giving me an appraising look.

  Hawke grinned. “The rules say you have to make it to the top. Doesn't matter how.”

  I launched upwards, scrambling to my feet, pushing Hawke aside and throwing my whole body around Colt. He laughed, gripping me tightly in a fierce embrace.

  “I barely caught you,” he said in my ear. “Scared the shit out of me.”

  I leant back, gazing into his silver eyes, shaking my head, not understanding why he was so determined to help me. Why it would have bothered him if I'd failed.