Page 84 of Spirit Trials

“You’re not fine. There’s blood all over you.”

“It’s not mine.”

His words hit me hard, and I swallow. “What did you do to them?” My voice is soft and not quite as steady as I hoped for.

He meets my gaze head-on. “Nothing they didn’t deserve.” I open my mouth to argue with him but close it when he gives me a look.

I busy myself with grabbing the bowl I’ve kept warm for him and bring it back to the table. “I saved you this before the vultures ate everything.”

He eyes the bowl a moment before taking it. “Thank you.” I take a moment to look at the two wolves next to each other on the floor. Solace left my side the second Shade came through the door. Honestly, I didn’t blame her. If I could do that with Rysden, I would. I shake those thoughts from my head and take the seat across from Rysden as he eats. “What happens next with the trials?” Anything they’d announced at the end of the trials, I’d missed because I’d been out cold. I wait as he finishes chewing.

“The awards’ ceremony is tomorrow.”

“And what happens after that?” I push. “What will happen to those who didn’t show a spirit animal?” He doesn’t answer right away, and I feel the tension rising between us. When he finishes eating, he pushes the bowl away from him.

“Those who showed a spirit wolf will assimilate into life here in the Wolf Kingdom. If they grew up here, they simply return to the life they knew. If they came from the Jaguar Kingdom, they will be given a place to live and what they need to start a life here. Anybody that produced a jag will begin their life there.”

“Is the Jag King good?” I interrupt.

His nod is immediate. “He’s fair and does right by his people.”

“How old is he?” I ask.

His eyes narrow. “Why do you ask?”

I shrug. “He looks young.”

He studies my face a moment before answering. “Twenty-three, a few months younger than me.”

I take that in. “What will happen to the competitors that didn’t produce a spirit animal?”

“You already know.”

I match his posture, sitting back in my chair and crossing my arms over my chest. “Tell me anyway.”

“They’ll be rounded up and escorted outside the walls of the kingdom.”

“To fend for themselves and try to survive,” I add pointedly. When he doesn’t say anything, I lean forward. “It’s a broken system, Rysden. It’s cruel and unfair. Those people have done nothing wrong.”

“Except that they weren’t given a spirit animal.”

“So?”

He doesn’t look away. “They weren’t considered worthy.”

I shake my head in disgust. “That’s an easy cop-out. There’s nothing wrong with those people, just because they didn’tshow a spirit animal. Is there anything wrong with Harper or Kinsley?” He wisely keeps his mouth shut. “There’s not. Kinsley is the sweetest, kindest person I know. If she’s not worthy, nobody should be. This whole thing is so messed up.”

“It’s the way it’s always been,” he adds quietly.

“What if I hadn’t produced a wolf?” I challenge.

“But you did.”

“What if I hadn’t?” I push. “Would you have led me outside the wall to fend for myself and sentence me to starvation?” He scowls but doesn’t say anything. “Because that could have very easily been our situation. Is there anything evil in me, Rysden?”

“No, which is why you produced a wolf.”

I want to scream in frustration at him but settle for taking a deep breath instead and lower my voice. “What about Rygar?” His body goes rigid. “Was he not worthy?” I meet his gaze head on. “Your mom told me about him.”