Page 6 of A Simple Truth (the Freckled Fate #2)

5

FINNLEAH

T he tall pine trees surrounding the west and south end of the Destroyer camp were a perfect cover for me as I hid in their evening shadows, finishing my dinner alone. Resting against a thick tree trunk, I vigilantly observed the camp, fighting exhaustion as the smoke from the many campfires floated high into the now-clear, late evening sky.

“Planning on sleeping under a tree?” Zora’s figure appeared out of nowhere next to me, startling me. I quickly stood up, awkwardly shaking off the little crumbs all over my shirt from the freshly baked bread I had stolen earlier.

“I am not sure, actually. The General didn’t quite clarify what Destroyer training entails,” I countered. Zora's lip curled up as she took another glance at me.

“Typical Gideon.” She rolled her eyes. “Come with me,” she ordered, sharply turning on her heels as she marched back to the camp. Zora was probably the shortest person in this entire army, yet she walked with such authority that people scattered from her path. I followed her past Destroyer soldiers; though innocent, their stares still unnerved me.

I was a sheep coming to live amidst the wolves. Fire breathing wolves. But somehow, in a twisted turn of fate, the sheep could breathe fire too.

We finally approached a large, rectangular tent. “This is where you’ll stay for now,” Zora said as she gestured for me to enter. Air that was almost too warm immediately brought a flush to my cheeks in response to the sharp contrast of the winter chill outside. The tent was just as spacious and tall as it looked from the outside. Six metal poles, anchored in the thick, carpeted floor supported the stretched-out ceiling. Thick canvas walls, the color of amber, were lined with small, square windows that were closed for the night. A few oil lamps bathed the room in a warm glow. Both sides of the tent were lined with a row of cots, complete with pillows and blankets. Finishing up the simple space were ordinary, one-drawer nightstands by each of the eleven beds. The nightstands were all of the same build—light oak, slightly creased with white paint—but each one was decorated uniquely, the only element of individuality.

The group of seven women inside abandoned their various activities, all of them turning to watch me, curiosity lining their faces. All of them contrasted with each other in their appearances, ages, and statures. But despite their differences, all seven seemed so surprisingly fierce and fearless, that little goosebumps crept over my skin.

“This is the Ten.” Zora waved toward them. “The Ten, this is Finn. She is now part of our group.”

“Welcome, Finn!” A large, wide-shouldered woman in warrior leathers stood up from her cot and eagerly came to greet me. Her strawberry blonde hair cascaded well past her waist, swaying with each step. “I am Pelagia. But you can call me Gia.” She extended her calloused hand, and I shook it. “We are so happy to have you!” She smiled wide at me, her face exuberant, her kind cheerfulness at odds with her intimidating build.

“Speak for yourself, Gia,” another one said, dressed in similar leathers as Gia. A smaller woman, a bit older but just as fierce, came up to us. Her thick, brown locks were tied in a bun, exposing a sharp, buzzed undercut. She extended her hand to me as well. “At best, we will try to not traumatize you, kid, but no promises.” She smirked. “I am Ashe.” I smiled courteously at her as I too shook her hand.

“That one is Lulu.” Zora pointed to the girl still sitting on the cot further away, nonchalantly observing us.

“Lulu took a vow of silence, so she doesn’t speak, but she is the smartest girl I know,” Gia whispered leaning in. Lulu ruffled her black, shoulder-length hair and short bangs and signed Hello , before adjusting her septum piercing.

“These are the twins, Tori and Cori.” Zora pointed toward a pair of identical girls that were busy intricately braiding each other's hair. They were the youngest of the group, closer to my age. They excitedly waved at me from the corner and I smiled back at them, immediately loving the bright pink and purple in their hair.

“That one is Cassiopeia, but we call her Cass.” Zora pointed at one of the girls who was waking up from her nap with a puzzled look on her face as she saw the commotion, still unsure what was going on. “Right next to her is Motra,” Zora continued.

A tall and well-muscled woman, the oldest of the group, nodded, welcoming me, her tight, black ringlets bobbing with the motion..

“What in the name of Fate is happening over here.” An agitated voice sounded behind us as two more women walked into the tent, almost crashing into Zora and me.

“Finn, this is Ioanna and Yanush. Ioanna and Yanush, this is Finn. She trains and lives with us now.”

Ioanna’s sharp, dark blue eyes glared at me, my stomach twisting uncomfortably under her gaze. Her hair was woven in two braids, split perfectly down the middle, with the contrasting colors of deep black on one side and bright white on the other.

“So, you are the one who burnt the tent down today?” Yanush, a wiry and fit woman with neatly braided cornrows winked at me. But before I could reply, she walked down to her cot, swiftly unbuckling the belt across her chest from the quiver on her back.

“So, this is the lost pet?” Ioanna narrowed her eyes on me with a scrutinizing stare. “Should we expect more of Gideon’s paramours to join the Ten, or is it just her?” Ioanna switched her glare from me to Zora, raising her brow.

“Play nice, Ioanna,” Zora warned. “It’s Gideon’s orders.” Ioanna rolled her eyes but backed down. A bitter aftertaste still lingered in my mouth as the words pet and paramour were thrown in my direction. I was nobody’s pet, much less his, but I would save that fight for another day.

Zora directed me to the cot closest to the entrance . “Gideon brought whatever belongings you had here.” She motioned to the few small drawers under the bed, which served as a pull-out dresser. “Now…” Zora’s eyes darted to the few other women in the room. “Make sure to get enough sleep tonight; tomorrow is a full run.”

I wasn’t sure what that meant, nor did I care enough to ask. Ignorance was bliss, and I had lost so much of it already, either way I was in dire need of sleep. With that, I sat on the edge of the cot, unlacing my black boots. The rest of the warrior women dispersed through the room, getting ready for bed. Soon, the lamps were extinguished, leaving us in darkness accented by small, silver streaks of light sneaking in through cracks around the windows.

I closed my eyes, forcing away the loud thoughts that sprung up in my mind; thoughts I was not ready to process yet.

“Just so we are clear, Finn has raw fire, right?” Cori’s voice sounded loudly in the half-asleep tent.

“Oh, come on Cori, it’s not polite to ask.” Tori shushed her sister, but then a second later, added, “But now that the question is out there…do you?” Her head peeked up as she rested on her elbows, peering over at my cot across the tent.

“Perhaps a better question asked to Gideon’s tent.” Yanush chuckled across the room, pulling blankets up her shoulders.

I paused, unsure what to say. I knew the answer but admitting it somehow made it real, and I was still clinging to that comforting denial. I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. A minute had gone by, maybe more. The awkward silence had lasted too long for me to say anything now.

“Yes, she does,” Zora finally grumbled from her spot. “I saw it with my own eyes today.”

“That’s so exciting!” Gia exclaimed in the cot next to me as our eyes met. I gave her a sheepish smile, though excitement was far from what I was feeling now.

“Having it is one thing. Wielding it is another,” Ioanna skeptically added as she yawned, rolling over to her side.

That statement alone brought sheer eeriness to the room as the girls nestled back to sleep. Though I now laid wide awake, staring at the ceiling, ignoring the relentless waves of exhaustion.

Could I?

Could I wield raw fire?

The question nagged me bit by bit, until my mind surrendered and I defeatedly drifted fast asleep.