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“Not all of us,” the candidate next to her mumbled under her breath.

It was very apparent the woman was talking about her. Repressing how she felt had never been her strong suit, but she managed to smile sweetly at the woman despite the colorful words begging to be set free.

“True,” the next candidate down replied to Miss Congeniality.

Great, I’ve got a fan club already.She’d been hoping she could get to the starting line before the rivalry began.

On a positive note, I doubt they’re the assassins.If she were here to kill someone, she’d keep a low profile and focus on the goal, instead of being a catty bitch.

“Some ofusare more civilized than others,” the candidate added, pointedly eyeing Miss Congeniality, implying that the rude bitch was just that, a rude bitch. The woman then nodded to her.

Well, thanks.Nadzia smiled at the good neighbor who was apparently not an asshole.

“Break me,” she heard Miss Congeniality mumble sarcastically before tuning her out to focus on the Conclave again.

“Just as our ancestor did not appreciate the blessed water they had, you’ll cross this estuary and turn your back on it. Finding yourselves on the other side, in the arid refuge, arm yourself,” Tellar gave a little history lesson as he explained the course and everyone looked toward the narrow foot bridge crossing the water.

“But as you know, there are only enough disrupters for half of you,” Axilla added.

Nadzia recalled this from the Trials she’d watched. The weapons were set on stun but that would still knock her out of the game, where it might only slow the others.

But of course, that won’t matter if you don’t get your ass across that stream first.Because if she couldn’t, it was game over.

“You will battle the heathens while you cross the fauna refuge, as Osegrin and his people once did.” Tellar pointed to the red-armored opponents, who were already across the stream.

Aculus’ sisters and former conclave, the heathens Tellar referred to, bowed and took off running into the sunbaked refuge, disrupters in hand.

“Find enough water to fill your flask as an offering to appease the goddess then make it to the arena where you will match your skills with our Premiere Servant, just as Osegrin and his weakness complemented one another,” Axilla finished explaining.

“May Unda be with you on your journey,” Tellar added.

‘Cause I’m certainly going to need it.

Aculus

Holding the same stoic expression for the public, while watching Nadzia take her place among the other candidates was a struggle. All heads turned as she passed. He was supposed to be impartial and yet he too was riveted to the way she walked, confident and proud, despite the ripple of shock moving through the crowd. He was worried for a moment when she paused, but then Nadzia casually looked up at one of the projection screens and smiled to the citizens watching the broadcast.

Gorgeous.

Axilla and Tellar moved, obscuring his view of her as they addressed the participants and the crowd. It was a speech he’d heard before, but today was the first day he truly listened.

May Unda be with you on your journey, Aculus repeated the pleas for the goddess to keep Nadzia safe.

The horn blared and he moved past his matron and patrem to see the candidates rush toward the footbridge over the estuary. He tried to find Nadzia but she was lost somewhere in the midst of the other females.

“She’s not the swiftest but look at that,” Tellar chuckled and nodded toward the throng.

He could just pick out Nadzia ducking and darting between the other females.

“She’ll need to move faster to get across the bridge in time.” Bregma worriedly watched.

“We should get going to the arena,” Axilla urged.

But he held his ground to watch Nadzia. And he wasn’t the only one, the broadcast was following her, too. Nadzia was still at the tail end of the group as they reached the bridge. He held his breath. This was where it could get really violent.

What is she doing?His brow creased as she broke away from the pack, heading instead to the shore, then leapt into the water.

He glanced back at Axilla,