Only, the dark priest must need more than mercury and blood to restore his goddess fully, or he’d have done so by now. The Otherworlders have been able to sustain Bale since her banishment with sacrifices, even turning them into a sport for their realm. But the Reckoning is a ritual of sorts—not a sport. And there are other factors, like the relic, that I need to connect.
The many pressing worries make me shiver, and Caben pulls me closer to him, resting his chin on the top of my head.
“We have to defend the shard,” I say. “They can’t get it.”
“I will defend it with my life,” Caben says, his voice thick with sleep.
His breaths even out while I stare at the door.
As long as I can take the shard with me, I can succeed in fulfilling my duty. If I can’t escape death—then my death will serve my deities and empress.
There is no bright morning sun to rouse me awake, only the banging and shouts of training contenders. The chilled air in the chamber settles over me, and I rub the goose bumps over my arms.
I push myself up and massage my sore shoulder caused from sleeping on it awkwardly. A tray of food sets next to the cot. I smile, thinking of Caben bringing it in here. Despite the nausea churning in my stomach as last night’s events come flooding back, I lift the tray and force the hard bread and brown rice into my mouth and swallow.
Later, in the shower unit, I allow the lukewarm water to rinse my body clean of grime and Caben’s blood. It has stained my skin, settling in the grooves of my palms and knuckles. I wonder if he’s training, or if he’s still nursing his injuries. I have to make sure Bax gives him something to recover before tonight.
After dressing in a new tunic and pants, I pull my wet hair into a low bun and head toward the training room. The large, gloomy chamber feels nearly empty without Tobias’s presence. I trudge through the black dirt, questioning if Lilly is awake yet and mourning Willa. My eyes linger on the waterfall as I pass by, and it takes everything inside of me to keep walking.
Lilly is strong. Kai is with her.
Goddesses, comfort her.
Kaide and Orion are in the corner of the room practicing with swords. I continue to where Crew and Lena are battling with spears. Caben is crouched along the rock wall watching them. His eyes widen when he sees me.
“We’ve decided to go through every weapon today,” Caben says as I sit next to him.
“That’s probably a good idea.”
He laces his fingers through mine, resting my hand in his lap. His eyes skim my face. “Are you okay?”
I want to ease his worries quickly with a simple yes, but I consider if I really am. “I think so,” I finally say.
That’s enough for him, and his lips stretch into an understanding, yet sad smile. “I think we need to practice the spear, too. I don’t want to be caught off-guard again.”
For the rest of the day, we fight with as many weapons as possible before the time comes to be taken to the Cage. I had thought Crew would be the toughest opponent on Bax’s league, but Lena challenges me the most. She comes close to beating me in our last match, and I’m so startled with her skill that she nearly does.
Crew stated that she was the most regarded assassin in Taggar, and I can see why. She’s amazing, and she fights dirty. She even taught me some underhanded moves that I pray I won’t have to use.
We eat a hearty dinner of cabbage, potatoes, and some foreign meat. I try not to question its origin, and instead wonder where the Otherworlders grow their vegetation. In a greenhouse, maybe. The cabbage is strange and yellowed, but tastes the same as I remember it. Bax must know that tonight will be more difficult on us, and has talked His Liege into providing a better meal. I eat in silence, listening as Caben and Crew discuss our strategy.
“Lena should try talking to Orion,” Crew suggests. “If he and his brother side with us, we could take a stand tonight.”
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Caben shakes his head. “And what of the other leagues?” he asks. “I’m damn near positive that most don’t want to chance their life for everyone. By the look in some of their eyes, they love the competition, and believe they’ll win.”
“I agree with Payne,” Lena chimes in, not looking up from her tray. “If we move too soon, it will end up being us versus the leagues. And the Otherworlders will only enjoy watching the contenders kill each other in a final battle a day earlier.”
“They don’t want to lose out on their bets,” Crew says, his voice laced with aggravation. Anger flashes in his eyes, as if he’s trying to mask his fear.
Caben dumps his tray to the side. “As much as I don’t want to fight, I know it’s our only chance. We have to wait until the numbers are down and then take a stand against the ring leaders and the guards.” Caben’s blue eyes glance at me quickly before meeting Crew’s glare.
What he doesn’t say, and what I don’t doubt has just gone through his mind, is that we were depending on all the Nactue being in the final battle to ensure that the remaining contenders would stand up against the ring leaders. But now that Willa is gone, there’s a silent question whether or not the other Nactue will make it.
I swallow down the partially chewed meat, and tell myself the scraping sensation in my throat is what causes my eyes to water.
Crew’s gray eyes darken. “What if we just take a ring leader into the Cage with us?”