Page 102 of These Fractured Bonds

“You’re right.” Erbert interrupted, pointing at something behind them. “Congratulations, everyone. We’ve just passed.”

Yareli turned, synchronized with Vanessa and Dre’s spin. A blue portal hovered over the ground, its swirling energy churned silently as though waiting for them to take notice. It looked like the one Tuom had used before. Erbert approached it, and itturned red. Unfazed, he touched his gem to it, and the portal shone blue.

“It’s our exit ticket,” Erbert said, stepping through the portal and vanishing without another word.

Yareli met the stares of the other two, mirroring their jubilation with her smile, and she hurried to the portal, eager to get out. She pressed her gem onto the portal, surprised at its elasticity. She had assumed it would have been more mist-like. Pushing through the slight resistance, she stumbled out the other side, landing in front of the Fire Court’s trifecta. Erbert waited on the side, his face serious. The shift in temperature was jarring; she shivered in the autumn chill and walked forward.

“Lieutenant Ines,” Andre said, a twinkle in his eyes, “Congratulations. You have passed the second challenge.”

She straightened as cheers erupted across the clearing. She eyed the roaring audience, concealing her dislike of their attention, and bowed.

“Thank you.”

She walked toward Erbert, rolling her gem in her hand, and Vanessa came through the portal next. Another wave of hurrahs exploded, and she was relieved for the diverted attention. Erbert cleared his throat.

“Take this. You’ll need it.” He handed her another medicinal packet.

She had just thanked him when goose bumps rose on her skin. She whipped her head to the side; Allyah rested her head on her palm, a lazy smirk on her face. Yareli’s eye twitched, but she raised her chin, a smirk of her own gracing her face. No matter what Allyah’s game was, she wasn’t going to back down.

I’ll win, no matter what you throw at me. You’ll see.

Chapter 39

Yarelistrodeintoherbedroom, her door slamming into the wall as she threw herself onto a chair. When she had exited the arena, Erick had pulled her into a small tent where Augrys and Leo waited. Sparsely furnished with only three seats and a small projector, she assumed that was where they had watched the challenge. Leo had pulled her into a hug, congratulating her, but she’d winced.

And that had been the start of the spat.

It had taken Augrys all but a second to determine that she had pulled too much magic from her core, and he pounced onher like an unforgiving sergeant. She still heard the echo of their exchange in her ears, ringing like a loud bell.

“You used too much magic,” he had said—a fact, not a question.

She had looked away, irked at his reprimand. “I had to.”

“Did you?”

“Yes, I did! We wouldn’t have subdued the egheur otherwise. Besides, I’m fine. Look!”

A strong cramp had rocked her body at that moment, and she lost her balance. Leo caught her, holding her close to him.

Augrys’s face had gone firm, losing all softness, and the muscle in his jaw had twitched. “You’re not fine.”

“Here, I’ll take a look,” Erick had said.

She had swatted him away. “I’m fine.”

“You need medical attention. Erick will treat you.”

“And I said no.”

Leo had interjected then. “Augrys, maybe now isn’t the time to—”

“Itistime. You know the risks of magic drain, or are you content with her throwing her life away becauseyouwanted an alliance?”

Leo’s hold on her had tightened, and she had flinched again. From the pain of his grip or Augrys’s accusation, she wasn’t sure. What she had been sure of was her mounting anger.

“That isn’t what this is.”

“Then, what is it, Leo? Because it sure as hell looks like you’re fine with her being reckless.”