Violet Path (35 page)

“You’re up against four other people, including Anton, Nick, and myself. The other is Jason; you don’t know him yet. You’ll have four challenges chosen by the soldiers. Then you will have to make a speech, and everyone will vote. My main concern is that being a girl, you have less power, if any at all, regardless of your nomination.”

“Why exactly?”

“Last time a woman had military authority at Maria, our community became dust, and we learn from history and past mistakes. She was in charge during the Battle of Seven. We haven’t had enough time to let it heal yet. Sorry, I guess you just have bad timing.”

“Most dictators are men, including Matthew.”

“I don’t make up the laws.”

“But you stand by them.”

“I don’t have much of a choice, and they are only for the best,” David said angrily.

“How do Maxime and Matthew know each other?” I asked.

“I can’t answer that. Why do you ask? How . . . ?” His voice turned dark and condescending, but he lost grasp of the words to formulate his response.

“Because I need to know. What happened to Matthew’s son?”

“How do you know all—”

“Just answer the question.”

“I can’t.”

“Not capable or won’t?”

“Won’t. Sorry.” He sounded sincere but kept his usual tint of stubbornness.

“Why not?”

“Because I’m forbidden to. You’ll have to ask Andrew.”

We were silent again at the mention of his brother.

“You must be hungry. I’ll get you something to eat.” David ran off, leaving me in the middle of nowhere. I wanted answers, but I couldn’t object when my stomach was howling.

I sat by a tree and started to cry. I couldn’t stop or keep it inside any longer. Tears fell and collected by my feet. I hid my face in my arms, ashamed. The sun gently stroked my nape as I drenched my sleeves. The tension broke free and flew away. I fell silent, drained of energy. A warm, long arm wrapped around me and pulled me into an embrace. I looked up to see Sam, then quickly turned back into my own isolated world. He comforted me but didn’t speak. I appreciated his lack of words, and his gestures were genuine and sincere. I felt attached to him, but not like Maxime. It was different.

Sam finally helped me to my feet just in time for Nick and David to arrive. I wiped away my sticky tears, rubbing my swollen eyes. They seemed to know that I didn’t want to talk.

David handed me an apple, and I devoured it, savoring every piece that melted on my tongue. He apologized for not having anything more to offer, and although I was starving, the apple was more than enough.

“The competition starts in two hours,” Nick said, shattering the peaceful reunion.

“Swordsmanship and shoot-off tonight. Strategy tomorrow morning, physical combat in the afternoon, and speeches in the evening,” Nick stated casually, but it was obvious that the short notice also surprised him.

“But everyone is exhausted and injured,” Sam chimed in.

“All the more reason to have it now. We need a leader,” David reasoned.

“But Alex is injured,” Sam sounded worried.

“Heal her,” David ordered casually, then left.

Nick and Sam exchanged a look of confusion and disbelief while I stood waiting for an indication of what to do. I knew I was better off than Sam because of the S.S. Pill, but that didn’t mean I enjoyed bleeding.

Nick asked if he could speak to me alone before I left with Sam. I nodded and he led me away, deeper into the forest. Sun glistened on icicles as I watched him pace and waited for him to speak.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have treated you like that. I was just so unsure of what to believe and how to act. And . . . thank you.” He looked deep into my eyes, and I had to divert my gaze. I didn’t deserve the praise. I had put him in the line of fire, and thankfully he hadn’t been killed. He placed his hand on my shoulder, told me to be careful, and that they didn’t mean to hurt me during the competition. I thanked him, and he left.

Sam and I headed to a simple, modest cabin, isolated from the others. My legs were tired, I was sore, and my head was spinning. My steps weren’t straight, and I asked for his forgiveness numerous times as I bumped into him, unable to keep my balance. He told me to sit down, and I leaned against a tree. I focused on breathing to get my mind off the pressure building in my skull. Sam spoke, but I didn’t listen. After a couple of minutes, we made it to the cabin. He helped me on the bed as I kept my eyes shut from the spinning world. I felt him inject fluids into my right arm and then in my wrists and head just above my brow.

“The competitions are about to start,” he said.

He helped me sit up, gave me a shot of adrenaline, then helped me walk to the improvised arena.

The gash along my skull had been completely healed, and my wrists were bandaged. They were tightly wrapped and reminded me of shackles. As I sauntered out in front of a huge crowd, I was reminded that they wanted my blood. Their icy glares stung, slipping down my spine. The soldiers seemed to be watching my every move, preying on me like an animal. I tried not to succumb to fear and grabbed Sam’s hand. He jumped when my fingers touched his, but then relaxed and told me to do the same. My heart felt constricted.

“As you already know, you do not have the right armor, but what you’re wearing should be okay. Still, be careful. This is serious; there are rules, but the lines get blurred,” Sam whispered as he handed me a simple, steel sword that an older soldier had given him.

My opponents stood with pride and determination to exterminate me. Even David and Nick seemed aggressive and prepared to rip me to shreds. Jason had short, black hair, almond-hazel eyes, and caramel skin. He shot me a glare that indicated his hate for me. Anton stood with a wide stance, and his square shoulders blocked my view of the arena. His bloodshot eyes pierced through me, burning a hole in my chest. I looked away and turned to Sam, who had dissolved into the horde encircling us. I was alone.

One of the men explained the rules briefly. It was just like sparring in class, only more competitive, belligerent, and challenging.

I started off facing Nick. He kept me on my toes and was more aggressive than usual, but not impossible to defeat. Maxime had trained me well, and I overwhelmed Nick with simple attacks, then complicated ones, and finally made him lose control. Jason was very strong and skilled, but his physical build made him lack agility. I used his weaknesses as my strength and got him to his knees.

We had a fifteen-minute break to mark the halftime. I was able to stand, but my legs were giving out, so I sat down, alone, in an unfurnished cabin and listened to the crowd. I tried to block out the negative voices, but they kept ringing in my head like the students in Tamizeh. I felt myself weakening and tried to remember Maxime. I needed to remain strong, but that seemed impossible. I was against Matthew and The Shadows. There was no help, no aid, no refuge . . . only hate.

Sam entered without knocking, apologized, then offered me some coffee. I took the warm cup and held it tightly, absorbing its heat. I slowly sipped it and felt the heat run down my throat, warming my body. Sam was trying to encourage me, but it was pointless. I thanked him anyway, and we walked out for the following fights.

Anton awaited me in the arena. His eyes were dark, and he gripped his sword firmly, holding back his anger. As soon as the bell rang, he let it all out with a scream and attacked. Long ago, we had fought by the river, so he knew my weaknesses, but I had studied his weaknesses as well. Strikes were exchanged faster than I could blink. I breathed heavily, struggling to keep up. He wielded his sword and tried to slash me. He didn’t seem to think, just move, and I did my best to mirror him with the cries from the crowd pounding at my head. He brought his blade up and pulled it down quickly with all of his strength, but I dove to the side, barely escaping the blow of the silver blade. I needed to attack in order to win, but I could hardly defend myself.

He was controlling the fight, pushing me back. I pivoted so he would have to move around and use more energy, but I couldn’t do much more. He kicked left, then brought his sword down right, cutting off the strap that kept my armor on. I was unprotected from the waist up, but there was no stopping. I remembered Maxime telling me how I tempted people to kill me, and tears started to blur my vision. I needed to pull myself together.

I reacted more efficiently so Anton had to work harder. He lunged and I slid aside, then kicked him in the chest, making him lose his sword. I threw my weapon away and wrapped my fingers around his collar. The flicker of light in his eyes darkened, and I let him go. He grabbed his sword and walked off with silent flames exploding from his eyes. I stood there as the snow gathered on my shoulders.

David walked into the arena calmly with a warm smile. His gait was crisp and cracked the snow beneath him, but he appeared calm. This fight was going to be more relaxed and fun; even though he was a challenge to beat, I had gained confidence. He kicked me in the abdomen, but I quickly protected myself from another strike. Although the strikes were violent, there was a tint of gentleness. He wasn’t trying to kill me, and I was able to relax. We danced in the arena to the rhythm of our blades clashing. The spectators encouraged us as sweat pearled on our foreheads. He lost his grip, and I blasted his sword away, out of reach, buried in the snow, but I didn’t want him to lose. I knew I couldn’t win the challenges and lead The Shadows with my reputation, so I was cheering for David. He deserved to be in charge and had the experience. I waited for him to lunge for his weapon, but he didn’t get back up. He looked at me in regret.

“You didn’t attack. You had the opportunity to win,” he muttered. Realizing and accepting his defeat, he brought his sword to his lips, kissed it, and laid it at my feet, surrendering. I quickly imitated him, so that the duel would be considered a tie. I offered him my hand and helped him up. He smiled and pulled me into his warm embrace, which reminded me of Maxime.

I was called to the next challenge, but before I went, Sam gave me another shot of adrenaline after changing my bandages. He provided me with a laser gun and some encouragement.

Simon, the old man who had listened to me when I had first arrived at Oaks Valley, explained the challenge. We were supposed to shoot moving targets. There weren’t many rules, because it was more of a game than challenge. All five contestants stood side by side with our guns ready. We struggled to see the targets in the darkness.

I wasn’t used to the bulky gun, but I did my best. Our hearts raced as we waited anxiously for the targets to spring in front of us. As soon as we saw the slightest shadow we fired, and five blazing shots resonated in the stillness. More targets appeared in trees or behind bushes. The glowing lasers reminded me of Matthew, and for a moment I forgot that it was a simple competition, so I started to take out my rage and sadness on the paper circles that ripped and burned with every shot. I became more accurate in my aim, but also more violent; I started to fire multiple shots per target. Luckily, we finished quickly, and I was pulled back to reality where my dreams of Matthew being blown to bits dissolved into thin air. Like the sword fights, the results weren’t announced.

Everything was put away hastily, because we were all starved and could smell dinner in the air. We ate quietly with hardly any light, surrounded by the putrid stench of blood from the injured around us. We were all crowded around a fire with its golden flames dancing along our skin. No one sat near me, not even my friends. Slimy glares dripped down my spine, and I was unable to ignore them. David was lost in conversations with other soldiers, while Nick and Sam sat with my group. I was isolated from everyone.

Most soldiers had cabins to return to for the night, but I was one of the few who didn’t. Anton had argued every possible point against me having one. I agreed to a certain extent—there were some injured soldiers who needed the protective warmth. On the other hand, I feared sleeping unprotected, surrounded by thousands of soldiers who wanted me dead. Sam, David, and Nick offered me their cabins, but I refused. David then asked if I would like to sleep on the floor of his cabin, but I couldn’t accept that offer either. I hated the idea of being protected from the cold night, listening to the chattering teeth of the soldiers sleeping outside. I couldn’t take something else from them after Matthew’s attack. Instead, I was given a torn-up sleeping bag and a body-warmer. I lay on the ice-covered ground by my friends’ cabins, under a million drops of silver that scintillated in the sky around the bright moon.

I had to find a way to free Maxime. I knew The Shadows would be against it, because of the huge risk factor of walking into Matthew’s territory, but I didn’t care about the consequences. I needed a way to get past the electric bars and lasers to get to the prisoner. I would also need a way to cut the advanced cuffs as well as a long hover-board so we could ride back easily. Although I had to elaborate my plan, the basics seemed to be a good start. I decided not to tell Sam, because I knew he would oppose the idea.

As the cold air seeped through my clothing, I thought of Maxime, who was under the same sky and wrapped by the same howling winter. My heavy eyelids fell shut, and I was able to drift away.

Chapter 32

A shock of pain surged through my body from my stomach to my nape as I received a kick to the abdomen.

“Get up,” Anton said.

I opened my eyes to a light blue sky and a fresh layer of snow around me.

“You’re almost late,” he said in a grave tone. It was as if he was trying to force himself into hating me.

I ran against the cold wind, following Anton to the arena. Darting eyes pierced through me. Sam found me quickly among the mass of soldiers. He flashed a warm smile and changed my bandages just in time for the announcement of the following challenge.

The challenge wasn’t physically demanding. Questions concerning military strategy would be written on pieces of paper, and there were no right or wrong answers. If the question wasn’t addressed to me, I had to remain silent. The Shadows would listen to our answers before voting. We had to be quick, diligent, and candid as we appealed to the crowd. I needed to gain their trust, and this seemed like the perfect method, but I had never done anything of the sort. I started to panic, not knowing what to expect while I was seated in front of a huge audience. I inhaled deeply, and the challenge began.