Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 45773 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45773 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
“We have a new face,” he says, the corner of his mouth lifting. Then he gestures with a wave of a hand for me to come closer.
Everyone looks at me, and I resist the urge to inch backward until I can run out.
I take four steps forward, then glance over the spectators, relieved to see other women sitting amongst the men.
“Are you for the cause or an entertainer?” the trainer asks, sounding friendly enough.
I feel self-conscious talking in front of the crowd but answer, “I’m for the cause.”
“You’re from one of the outer wards, right?” he asks.
I nod, not sure if I should just leave.
But I don’t want these people to think I’m a coward, so I take a couple of steps closer.
“What’s your name?” he asks when I’m two arm lengths from him.
“Jai.”
A smile stretches widely across his face, but it feels more like a warning. My muscles tighten, my senses on high alert.
Crap. I should’ve stayed clear of this place.
“Jai?” he asks, sounding amused. “From Idris’ ward?”
When I nod, I wonder how he knows me.
Maybe he talked to Raze or Chance?
He turns his attention to the crowd, one eyebrow raised. “Is she any good?”
I follow his gaze and feel how every drop of blood in my body drains to my feet. Chance must’ve arrived after me because he’s between the stands, a thunderous expression on his face. Unfortunately, Morgan is right next to him.
The sight of them together sends a flare of irrational rage through me.
Chance doesn’t even bother looking at me, and it stings.
Why is he so different now that we’re at the main ward? Does he prefer Morgan over me?
But he hasn’t spoken about her, and I thought things were good between us.
“You’ll have to find out for yourself,” Chance mutters, not an ounce of emotion in his voice as he walks to the stand and takes a seat.
The guy turns back to me. “Well, Jai from Idris’ ward, let’s see how well you’ve been trained.”
He takes a step forward, and I match mine by taking one back. He’s easily a head shorter than Chance but just as muscled, which means he’s much stronger than me.
The man steps to my left side, and I match him again, moving away from him.
I glance at Chance, and instead of finding his eyes on me, he’s looking at Morgan as she leans against him, saying something.
Again there’s a twisting ache in my chest.
“Oh, baby,” the man croons deceptively. “I can dance with you all day long, but the people didn’t come for that.”
He lunges forward, his arms coming for me from both sides. I don’t hesitate and crouch down before darting past him. Just as I think I’m in the clear, he grabs hold of my hair and yanks backward.
The sting from the strands being ripped from my scull has me reaching for my hair to try and free them from his fist.
Now I understand why everyone has short hair.
I stagger back, and too late, I see the fist coming for my face. Knuckles slam into my cheek, the blow hard and brutal, making spots dance in front of my eyes.
I fall to my butt and hardly notice as the guy bounces a step away, a taunting smirk on his stupid face.
For a moment, I’m stunned, my entire being shaken by the punch. It’s the last thing I expected today.
Still, I shouldn’t be surprised.
“Wow, I expected better, Chance,” the idiot jeers. “If this is how you train the newbies, we’re all fucked in the coming war.”
I force myself to my feet and glare at the man, anger flooding my chest. It chases the shock of the punch away and makes adrenaline rush through my veins.
“Here’s the thing,” the man says mockingly, his eyes resting on me with a bored expression. “Women aren’t meant for war, sweetheart. But if you’re going to fight, you need to make sure you don’t get hit.”
He darts forward, swinging a fist at me, but this time, I lift my left arm and block the blow. It still hurts like hell when my forearm takes the brunt, but it’s not as bad as the ache in my cheek.
“Good. You’re a fast learner,” he praises me, but it doesn’t fill my chest with warmth, and instead, annoys me.
I don’t want this man’s approval.
He moves faster than before, but this time he doesn’t go for my face. I gasp when his fist plunges into my side, and I fold into him.
“Time to go down, baby,” he growls.
My vision blurs, and I’m unable to breathe as my feet are swept from under me, and I slam hard into the grass.
Not wanting to be pinned down, I roll over onto my side as fast as possible, but he grabs my shoulders and forces me onto my back.
Shit. He’s going to punch the ever-loving crap out of me.