Page 13 of Kingdom of Tomorrow (Book of Arden #1)

When trouble comes, your victory is found within the book.

A shrill alarm startled me from a light doze.

Not quite asleep, but not quite awake, I blinked open burning eyes and sat up, expecting to see my plants.

A buzz sounded, surprising me, and the shackle on my wrist opened.

The barred door opened, too, and memories flashed like neon signs.

The Royal Academy. The HP. My first loss. I rubbed my eyes and groaned.

Mykal kicked off her blanket, grumbling, “Five o’clock wake-up is a punishment, isn’t it?”

A surge of adrenaline drove me from exhausted to wired. My first class began in thirty minutes, and I would learn the HP’s opinion of yesterday’s test.

“It’s evaluation day.” I bounded from bed and straightened the covers. “Did Roman’s dad give you pointers for surviving judgment?”

“He did, indeed. Whether we agree or not, we’re to say yes, sir ; thank you, sir ; and nothing else.”

Figured. “Any other advice I should know?”

“Only that we’re to inform a superior immediately if we see a red circle with seven broken lines inside it. It means we’ve been tapped by the Tome Society.”

I inwardly recoiled, repulsed by the very idea. “I will absolutely tell,” I swore, gathering my toiletries.

She leaned closer to murmur, “Do you think there’s any truth to the claims? About Soal, the library, books about our futures, and the sleeping gods, I mean.”

How could she even ask that? “Not even a little.” Wait. “Do you think there’s any truth to the claims?”

“Absolutely not.” She wrinkled her nose. “Though I admit it would be kinda nice to read a book about my future.”

“Not if it means being infected.”

“Good point.”

We trudged into the hall, other teammates heading in the same direction.

Roman bounded past us with a whoop. “This is a new day. A fresh start. Let’s make it count.” He pumped his fist into the air. “I expect your best, understand? No slackers.”

Rolling her eyes, Mykal linked her arm through mine. “See? He’s insufferable.”

“I heard that,” Roman said, performing a full spin to point at her.

“Because she wanted you to hear it,” I quipped, and she nodded.

At the corner, boys veered left, and girls right. We entered a sterile gray locker room, with toilet stalls on one side and shower stalls on the other. A bay of lockers bore our names and contained changes of clothing.

After washing up, I brushed my teeth and dressed in clean fatigues. Eleven minutes until class. Just enough time to grab a quick breakfast.

A rumpled Lark breezed past me as I tied my boots. I opened my mouth to speak, but the words died. There wasn’t anything I could say that wouldn’t cause problems. I didn’t trust her, wasn’t sure I liked her, and had no doubts she felt the same way about me.

She offered me a too-sweet smile. “No hard feelings.”

Uh, hard feelings. Definitely. However, for the good of the team— top lady, top lady, top lady —I forgave her. And because, despite my not-so-high opinion of her, I did understand her reasoning. Panic Girl wasn’t strong and courageous. She froze when terrified and crumpled often.

“I’m good,” I said. “As our team leader pointed out, today is a clean slate.” On my end, at least. With Lark and Roman. He’d done what he’d thought was right to win, just as I had. It wasn’t his fault my choice had ended in failure.

Lark didn’t look as if she believed me, but she moved along.

Mykal and I shared a relieved look before heading to the commons, where we wolfed down meal bars, the only food available.

Unsatisfied but full, we made our way to gym C.

The spacious arena had concrete walls and a dizzying mosaic across 90 percent of the floor.

My heartbeat accelerated, my hasty breakfast settling with the finesse of a rock as soon as I noticed the HP.

He stood off to the side, in front of a small office with glass walls, a small table, and a chair on each side. His powerful presence sucked all the oxygen from the room. With his features set in inflexible lines, he revealed none of his emotions, and it sent my buzzing nerves into a tailspin.

Two armed soldiers flanked the door, with a third standing at the HP’s side.

He hadn’t noticed me yet. Not that I was anything special to him, other than the girl who’d turned him down.

I didn’t mean to, but I deepened my study of him.

He exhibited complete control, keeping his chin up and his brand on full display.

His shoulders remained squared, his arms anchored behind his back, and his legs braced apart.

A plain white T-shirt, camouflage pants, and combat boots hugged his muscular frame. How was he so scary and so attractive?

As if he sensed my scrutiny—or had clocked it from moment one—he slid his gaze to mine. Zing. A frisson of awareness pierced me, and my breath hitched. My pulse sped into an erratic dance.

Nerves. Only nerves.

We stared at each other for an eternity, wild thoughts tumbling through my mind. What’s happening? Why won’t he look away? Why won’t I?

Ultimately, he narrowed his lids and snapped, “Assistant.” An obvious summons. But still he didn’t look away from me.

Mykal puffed with irritation and muttered, “He’s already forgotten my name, guaranteed.” Off she raced, momentarily blocking the HP from my view and ending the staring contest.

Oh, thank goodness!

He thrust a digital reader in my friend’s direction. “I expect everything on this list to be delivered on time to each specified location.”

The color leached from her face as she scanned the screen. “I don’t know what an RVM corrector is.”

He showed no mercy. “Don’t say ‘I don’t know.’ Say ‘I’ll find out.’”

“I’ll find out,” she squeaked.

He wasn’t satisfied. “If you are unable to do the job assigned to you, I’ll give the opportunity to someone else.”

She jumped to attention and saluted him. “I can do it, sir. Thank you, sir.” Wide eyed, she mouthed “Help me” in my direction and darted from the gym, a girl on a mission.

For a moment—only a moment!—I longed to give chase. To escape. Instead, I lined up with the other soldiers.

A bell rang, signaling the start of class. The guard next to the HP stepped forward and placed his hand over his heart. A stance we mimicked. I knew what came next.

“I pledge allegiance to Cured ,” he called, leading us into the same oath I’d recited every day of school, “and the life for which it gives. One world, unified, with protection and respect for all.”

The HP marched in front of us. “Yesterday, you were given an opportunity to learn about each other. Before I begin your evaluations, I will gift you with two facts about me and a statement as to why I feel I am qualified to command you.” He gave us a moment to absorb his words.

“One, I value truth more than I value your lives, and if you dare to lie to me, I will find out, I will punish you, and I’ll make it public.

Two, I believe excuses are merely lipstick on fear.

Finally, I’m the only thing standing between you and certain death. ”

He did not cast a pointed glance at me when he said that. Because he stared. Hard.

“I’ll meet with you one on one throughout class.” He motioned to someone in back. “I’ll start with you. Join me in the office and explain your actions at the vote. The rest of you, run laps.”

“Sir, yes, sir,” we proclaimed, not quite in sync.

The HP took a seat inside the small glass chamber, facing us, and the officer who’d led us in the pledge stomped a booted foot.

“You heard High Prince Dolion. Go!”

We jolted into action. Meanwhile, the targeted soldier trudged inside the office. Oh. I recognized him as the first lord to be eliminated in the game. Named Cash, maybe. He sank into the chair on the other side of the desk, his back to us.

The meeting lasted eleven minutes, and from what I was able to observe, it didn’t go well for Cash.

Every time I rounded the mat, I gained a perfect view of the HP’s face.

He reclined, almost at ease, his expression unchanging as his student talked.

And talked. But his grip on a digipen continued to tighten until his knuckles bleached of color.

He was big mad and only getting madder the more the lord spoke.

“Faster,” our temporary instructor commanded.

I picked up the pace, beads of sweat wetting my skin. Though others tired quickly, I never lagged. Jogging was my thing. I could go for hours.

Finally, Cash exited the office, radiating anger. “Miller, you’re up. Leave your pride at the door, or it’ll be too brutal to bear.”

We were going in order of elimination. Good to know. I should be good and soaked by the time my turn arrived.

As lords and ladies entered and emerged from the enclosure, a pattern evolved, and nervousness almost got the best of me.

No matter the actions taken the day before, whether the soldier had used their pain darts, opted out of the competition, or given it their all, they shuffled away, head bowed in shame. Some even cried.

Soon, only the two finalists remained. My pulse picked up speed, as if I’d just run an extra ten miles at a record pace.

“Did the HP tell you to walk or run?” the officer demanded of the girl I thought might be Juniper.

“Run, sir,” she wheezed, her ragged, panting breaths making her sound as if she were dying.

“Then why are you speed walking?”

On and on and on we jogged. Titus, the last of the nonfinalists, remained in the office longer than anyone else.

Either he’d done something right or very, very wrong.

When Mykal returned with a tray of food, the HP finally dismissed him.

I ground my molars. The fact that he planned to snack irritated me greatly.

A scowling Titus approached me, keeping pace at my side. “You’re next, Arden. Be prepared. The HP made me repeat my explanation over and over, and you can’t win with him, so don’t even try.”