Page 10 of Kingdom of Tomorrow (Book of Arden #1)
I gnashed my teeth. He did not call me Lady Pink in public, after calling me Bubble Gum in private. Wait. Roommate? I hadn’t shared a space with anyone since Amelia, and I couldn’t do it now. I just couldn’t. If Mykal were to break ...
Heart thudding, blood chilling, I shot my gaze to the HP. He watched me, his expression colder and harder than before.
“Are you done panicking over nothing?” he asked, merciless.
For the second time today, everyone focused on me in unison. Irritation spiced my ever-simmering pot of frustration, billowing smoke hiding my anxiety. For the moment anyway.
Once again I jutted my chin. This time I added a stiff nod to the action.
He swept his gaze over everyone else, dismissing me.
“If you do what I say, when I say, victory is yours.” Pointing to a digital board on a far wall, he issued his final commands.
“Find your assigned room, put up your stuff, and meet me in the commons in thirty. You’ll be picking a representative to serve as my second-in-command.
Do not be late. And never forget everything is a graded test.”
He left, taking his force field of control with him. To my relief, he didn’t glance my way again. I didn’t think I liked that man even the slightest bit.
Soldiers rushed over to discover the identity of their partner and where they’d be staying. I went straight to Mykal.
“What a great day!” Grinning, she hugged me. “I expected the worst, and in a single moment, all my fears were wiped away.”
I hugged her back, desperate for a friend.
Her grin widened as she tugged me to a cell on the far right. “This is ours. The good news is it’s the biggest and the best, and our locker room is around the corner. The bad news is Jericho is our next-door neighbor.”
“I’ll learn to ignore him.” As I checked out our space, my shoulders rolled in.
We had a sink, a pair of small collapsible desks, and uncomfortable-looking beds that folded from the back wall on both the left and right side.
A bowl of meal bars rested atop each thin, plasticky mattress alongside a coil of chain.
Relief warred with ever-increasing trepidation.
No doubt we were to lock ourselves in place each night.
A common enough practice, though not one I’d ever risked.
Though we’d be trapped, neither of us able to attack the other, I was far from comforted.
Too many things could go wrong. If she verged on breaking and only pretended to lock up, she’d be free, and I’d be a helpless buffet ready for plunder.
I dragged my focus to the walls. Carved images and messages from previous trainees covered them.
I traced a fingertip over the most uplifting of the bunch and cringed.
Don’t die. Maybe I’d paint trees and flowers over the depressing words.
I wasn’t the best artist, but anything was better than this.
If I managed to acquire pots and soil, I could grow my own plants.
“I haven’t eaten in days, and I’m starving.
” Mykal ripped open a bar, sank her teeth into the pale-gray “meal,” and grimaced.
“These never get better, but we should gobble up. Before I got here, Roman’s dad outlined what to expect.
The second-in-command is chosen through an endurance competition, and tomorrow you guys will be evaluated for your performance.
From strength to smarts to fear response. ”
Heeding her advice, I gobbled up a bar. The familiar bitter taste barely registered. “Why did you pick me as a roomie?” Why not Roman, a known friend? “Did Shiloh request it?”
“He did, but he’s not the reason.” She tossed her bag on a bed and gave me a wry smile. “Honestly, I’d really like a friend. Someone I can trust, who relates to me. You strike me as a prime candidate.”
Okay. That was a little bit wonderful. I hugged her again.
“Thank you. I would really like a friend too. In the name of full disclosure, former classmates called me Panic Girl. Also, I geek out over plants.” I dropped my bag on my bed and dug through the contents, hunting for my precious seeds.
“If it’s allowed, and if I can get my hands on the proper supplies, I’ll grow an indoor garden for us.
” Except. “My seeds. They’re gone.” Dismay flooded me. Where were they?
“Probably got confiscated.” Sympathy etched her delicate features. “I saw a guy rummage through my stuff. He took my music. I need my music.”
My cauldron of frustration threatened to boil over. “Do you think we’ll ever get our stuff back?” Those seeds cost every cent I’d saved since junior high. To have something I’d worked and paid for taken away for no good reason was an injustice I resented with every fiber of my being.
I bit my tongue until I tasted blood. I would get those seeds back. Somehow.
“I really hope so. Oh!” Brightening, Mykal clapped. “Want to know what else Shiloh asked me to do for you?” She didn’t give me a chance to reply. “Teach you how to do hand-on-hand signals so you can communicate silently with him whenever you’re sent to medical.”
My brow furrowed. “Why do we need to communicate silently?”
Nibbling on her bottom lip, she held up one finger, asking for a moment. With quick steps, she went to the door and leaned out to look both ways. After returning to me, she whispered, “We’re not supposed to know this, but in exam rooms all conversations are recorded.”
I stiffened. The thought of being recorded put a foul taste in my mouth. Worse than the meal bar!
“Roman’s dad is an earl, and he demanded the people living in his building, on his floor, learn certain protocols. Nonverbal, in-contact communication is one of them and something Cured won’t teach until we reach second tier.”
Well, score one for Team Arden! I’d never turn down such a precious seed of knowledge. The more we practiced, a.k.a. watered the skill, the stronger it would grow. “I’d love to learn those signals.” Top lady, here I come!
A smirking Roman stuck his head inside our room. “I came to collect my thanks.”
“Your thanks?” Mykal snorted. “Not happening, bud.”
“Even though I made sure we were both placed on Dolion’s team?”
“Your dad made sure, not you.”
Roman’s expression said You are making my point for me. “He did it only because I asked him. So. Where’s my thanks?”
“Fine. Thanks, I guess,” she grumbled.
“You have my thanks too,” I piped up. “I’m glad Mykal is on my team.”
Roman grinned at me. “You’re gonna be fine, Ardie. When the HP says he’ll make winners out of us, believe him. He’s the youngest elite officer in Cured history. To this day, he holds the record for the most captures in a day, week, month, and year.”
No wonder the guy had such little respect for me. But, um, I kinda hoped the nickname Ardie caught on. Anything was better than Lady Pink .
“I heard he got the handprint brand while fighting John Victors,” Mykal said, digging into another bar. “The Soalian caught flame and marked him.”
I scowled. John Victors was the most well-known Soalian, as well as the leader of the Tome Society. He and his minions stole pritis poles, defaced buildings, and burned Cured facilities year round.
“I wouldn’t mention the brand. Word is, the HP is super sensitive about it.
” Roman glanced over his shoulder. “The team is heading to the commons. We intend to set the record for swiftest arrival. And yes, I expect both of you to vote for me. I’ll be an amazing second-in-command.
We’ll celebrate my win after.” He was gone a moment later.
Mind tumbling with the tidbits about my instructor, I looked to Mykal. “You ready?”
“Yeah. And just so you know, I’ll be cheering for Roman, but only on the outside,” she whispered. “Beat him. Please. If he wins, he’ll never stop crowing. A crowing Roman is annoying.”
There was no way I could beat Roman in a contest of strength, but endurance was another story. As a long-distance runner, I possessed stamina in spades. But ... “I’m not sure I want to be team leader. I have enough stress on my plate with the top-soldier competition.”
“Well, keep in mind, the top lady—or lord—is usually chosen from among the team leaders,” she offered, batting her eyes.
My back went ramrod straight. “On the other hand, Roman has enough of an advantage already. Plus, High Prince Dolion called me Bubble Gum and Lady Pink , and he expects me to die quick. I’ve got a lot to prove.
So. I will destroy him,” I announced, and I wasn’t sure if I was referencing Roman, the HP, or both.
Mykal bounced while clapping. “I knew you were made of determination, drive, and the smarts to thrive!”
I really hoped so, because I was tired of being made of failure, fear, and many tears.