Razalea let out a slow breath, her mind racing. She hated to admit it but something about the El' Grazhia's trials excited her. Either she was loosing it or gaining back a bit of what she lost but the more appalled she felt, the more excited she got. There was definitely something between her past and this place. She had never mentioned it to Hyrus but when they moved here she had a thrilling sensation, she's sure he would have noticed though seeing how she'd unusually gotten curious and involved in matters that weren't her own. He always noticed, ever the dutiful guardian.

The boy stood close to her, his too-big robes swaying in the cold night air, his hopeful gaze locked on hers. The smart thing to do would be to run. To leave him behind. But she already made her decision earlier. She was familiar with what it was like to have no one to rely on, even if her situation had only lasted for a few days, from what she could remember anyway.

"Fine," she said, her voice sharp as steel. "I'll see him through the trials."

Dyker's smirk deepened, but there was something thoughtful behind it.

"Good. Then you're both officially in." Razalea's teeth clenched. This wasn't part of the plan. She had spent a year keeping herself out of sight, and now she was walking straight into the very thing she had tried to avoid. Hyrus had warned her about getting too involved in the beginning the troupe stuck to themselves, she however occasionally meddled once or twice. Well, it's not like she planned to stick around after those wretched survival games anyway.

Rein folded her arms, her sharp gaze flicking between them.

"You should get some rest. The trials begin at dawn." Aiden stiffened beside her, excitement flickering in his eyes before anxiety took over. Razalea had another urge to tell him to run—to find another way—but that would be a lie. There was no other way for him, he was 12, he could never get a job and going to The Madame's was much worse practically torture, she knew that better than anyone. The academy was his only chance, no matter how dangerous it was.

Dyker gestured toward one of the guards, who stepped forward reluctantly. "See to it that they're housed for the night."

"I don't need housing," Razalea bit out. "I have a place—"

"You're part of the trials now," Rein interrupted smoothly. "That means you follow the rules. "Her muscles coiled in frustration, but arguing wouldn't change anything. She glanced at Aiden, who was barely suppressing a shiver, and sighed. "Fine."

The walk to the academy grounds was silent save for the occasional flyer or two above, tension sat thick in the air. Aiden trailed behind her, glancing at the looming stone walls of the academy with a mix of awe and fear.

"Hey," she said quietly, slowing her pace until he caught up. "Why'd you really do it?"

He looked up at her, confused. "I told you. My sisters—" Razalea studied him. "You're small, you're weak, and you're not stupid. You know you won't last through the trials. So why?"

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Aiden hesitated, his fingers curling into the fabric of his robes. "Because when I died, I'd at the least know they'd be provided for."

She exhaled, looking away, that would only have been possible if he survived the application process to begin with and he almost didn't.

The kid was braver than he looked. Or, again, just stupid but desperation tends to do that to a person. Another example of why Razalea hated nobles and royalty. They thrived off of the poor and hoard wealth that aren't even there's. They were all thieves.

When they reached the academy barracks, the guard shoved open a heavy wooden door. Inside, rows of bunks lined the stone walls, each one covered with rough blankets. The air smelled of sweat, metal, and something faintly herbal. Other recruits—some looking confident, others uneasy—were scattered throughout the room.

"This is where you'll stay," the guard grunted.

"Get some sleep. You'll need it." Aiden stepped in hesitantly, his wide eyes scanning the room. Razalea followed, her body thrumming with unease. She had spent so long avoiding attention, and now she was locked in a place where she could not avoid it. Guess it was time to forge a new mask, a color so savage and dangerous, ensuring people never dared to get close. She turned to Aiden.

"Stick close to me. No wandering off." He nodded quickly, noticing the shift in her presence. He wasn't very strong but the one thing he was skilled in was detecting a person's presence. that was how he had managed to keep himself and his sisters safe this long. He worried about how they would manage but they were smart like him, they'd be fine until he sorted something out. He had to have faith. "Got it."

She dropped onto one of the lower bunks, running a hand through her hair. Everything had changed too fast. She had only wanted to stop an injustice, and now she was bound to the academy trials, responsible for a boy who didn't belong here.

Razalea closed her eyes, exhaling sharply. Whatever happened, she had to be ready. They can never find out. Failure was not option.

Because if she failed, it wouldn't just be her life on the line—it would be Aiden's, too.

Far from the academy, in the dimly lit backroom of a tavern, a man with a finely pressed coat and keen eyes sat behind a heavy wooden desk. Mr. von Veerd had been drinking a rare vintage, savoring the quiet, when a messenger burst into the room.

"There was an incident near the academy," the man reported. "A commotion in the streets. A girl intervened." Von Veerd's fingers tightened around his glass. There was only one girl anyone would bother him for. "A girl?"

"She matched her description. The lead actress." His jaw clenched. Razalea. What had she done? His worry was short-lived as another servant entered, placing a sealed letter on his desk. It bore no name, only an emblem he recognized instantly. Breaking the wax, his sharp gaze swept across the parchment's words:

I won't be gone long.

Don't cause trouble in my absence.

Everything is under control.

Don't give Ridian my spot.

Lu valson del en se'anvie'ro del valson an vu.

It wasn't a farewell, nor an explanation. Just a reassurance wrapped in ambiguity—just like her. Von Veerd huffed a quiet laugh, setting the letter down. His expression softened ever so slightly at the Yuazhan quote he'd taught her, it symbolized that your family will always look out for you, and you will them whilst also trusting each other to handle themselves. "She always has to be dramatic, doesn't she?" The messenger hesitated. "Should we send someone to retrieve her?" He shook his head. "No. She'll return when she's ready."

And if she didn't, he would make sure that man and his academy regretted ever keeping her.