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The stands grew quiet and everyone froze, transfixed to the unexpected sight as they heeded his command.

Nadzia leapt off the raptor’s back and somehow drew the attention of the rest of the flock before they could attack any more candidates.

Grateful, he released the breath he was holding.

She circled the candidate dangling from the Xerocle’s razor-sharp beak. He couldn’t hear what Nadzia was saying but it was clear she was angrily giving the candidate a piece of her mind.

She’s found one of the assassins, he gaped at his weakness, utterly impressed.

Nadzia

He’s safe. An immense weight lifted from her shoulders.

She would’ve teared up seeing Aculus if she wasn’t completely dehydrated. While the dead assassin led her through the blind zone, she honestly thought she’d never see him again. And the harrowing run through the refuge on the back of a Xerocle didn’t help. The urge to run to Aculus as she slid off Momma’s back was hard to repress.

“You’re going to regret this,” the Jurou Biljana assassin threatened as he dangled from Momma’s beak, instantly reminding her this sleigh ride through hell wasn’t over just yet.

His angry tone had the Xerocle hissing and moving closer, their feathers standing on end. At least the other candidates were wise enough to stay back. The last thing she needed was the flock attacking innocent people. Thankfully the Xerocle had a craving for reptile instead.

“Easy, Momma.” She put a hand on the raptor’s neck as she eyed the other birds, silently telling them to stay back.

As much as she wanted to, she really couldn’t let them gut the vile reptile, Aculus might need to question him. But the bastard needed to ditch the attitude. She was too tired and hot, and her patience had grown thin somewhere two murders back.

“Really?” She glared at the assassin. “You, the asshole dangling in the air, think I’m going to regret this. You know what these birds eat?Reptiles.I bet that’s how they found you so fast. You wouldn’t even recognize their last meal. What was his name? Hibi? Or maybe that’s you. Or is your name Jyk?”

The assassin played tough, but a flicker of surprise crossed his face. He hadn’t expected her to know who they were.

“Start talking or I let the Xerocle make a meal of you.” She lifted her hand off Momma’s neck and circled the assassin, sizing him up. “And they areverymessyeaters.”

Momma jostled the assassin.

“Please, make it stop.” The reptile cringed in pain.

“Then you better tell me how you planned to kill the Premiere Servant.” She spoke calmly, recalling that her military father was scary when he yelled but damn near terrifying when he calmly laid down the law.

Momma hissed menacingly, the perceptive bird picking up on her anger despite the stoic demeanor.

“I don’t know. Jyk planned this,” the assassin swiftly replied, panic lacing his voice.

“So, you’re just following orders,” she scoffed.

Somehow, I don’t believe that.

Aculus

From the corner of his eye he saw one of the candidates move. Panic overwhelmed him. The last thing they needed was someone firing wildly, inciting the raptors to attack or worse. The candidate was fumbling with something on her wrist as she headed toward the exit beneath the arena. The candidates weren’t supposed to have comms during the Trial. And there was something wrong with the female’s arm.

Another assassin, he growled, recognizing the green skin the reptilian bastard revealed when accessing the hidden comm.

“Guards!” he bellowed.

But none of the guards were close enough and the candidates were too stunned and confused to respond. A sick feeling churned in his gut. He had no idea what sort of weapon the vile reptile possessed but it couldn’t be good.

I can’t let the piece of dung make it to the exit.They’d lose him amidst the citizens in the arena.

Break me!He stared at the moat between him and the bastard. The channel was too broad to jump, forcing candidates to use the bridge. But going around would take too long. He had no other options.My weakness is in danger.

He backed up and took a running leap, saying a prayer as he soared over the moat. He was close, so close, his toes scraping solid ground, but close wasn’t close enough. Aculus gripped the edge, catching himself before nearly plunging into the water. He pulled himself up and continued running toward the Jurou Biljana.