Page 38 of The Incendiary

My snicker earned me a perturbed glare from multiple people nearby. How dare I laugh at their beloved commander?

“Now eat.” He gestured to the tables spread with lavish amounts of food. “You’ll need energy. We begin in the morning.”

The chatter resumed. I ignored lingering stares and found a seat next to a young woman around my age with braided red hair and freckles. She looked safe and approachable. I listened quietly and reacted to nothing. It was an easy feat while cadets discussed the upcoming training.

But it didn’t take long for the subject to change.

“I bet the Butcher fucked her dead body before he ripped her apart.”

I froze with my fork in my mouth.

“I heard he ate her remains.”

“Probably bloody and raw,” scoffed someone else, drawing groans from the table.

Quiet fury simmered beneath my skin while bile rose in my throat. I knew they would talk about my death. I knew hatred was too weak a word for how they felt about the Butcher. But I hadn’t predicted the rage hearing it would spark inside me, nor had I prepared myself for how ardently I wished to defend the man I knew he really was.

Barely composed and appetite no longer existent, I set my fork down and forcefully swallowed my last bite.

“They’re vile, aren’t they?” grumbled my red-haired neighbor. “What a foul thing to discuss at the dinner table.”

Her light, flowery voice grounded me enough to keep me from doing or saying something regrettable. When I turned to face her, pale green eyes stared back at me.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you before.” She smiled. “My name is⁠—”

“Pardon me.” A young man with freckles, red hair, and green eyes squeezed between us. They had to be siblings, if not twins. “Mina, you won’t believe what I found…” His interest piqued when he saw me, mischief sparkling in his eyes and tugging at his lips. “Well, hello there.”

The girl groaned and covered her face with her hands.

“Don’t mind her,” he went on. “My sister has little patience for my antics. I’m Mavic.” He offered me his hand. “Mav, if you know me well, which I hope you will.”

“Gods, do you ever stop?” His sister shoved her hand in front of Mavic. “Mina Reed. I apologize in advance for everything my twin brother says.”

I was speechless as I shook their hands. I hadn’t exactly expected kindness toward an outsider from anyone so soon.

“My name is Fera.” I forced a smile through my nerves. “Just… Fera.”

“Fera,” Mavic considered the name like a melody he was trying to remember. “Fera… oh!” He snapped his fingers. “You’re the one they told us about? The one they caught sneaking outside the grounds that took out Otis Stoll and the Sharpe brothers? The hellion.”

“Mavic!” Mina warned.

But I was flattered that he recognized me as a fighter. “Yes, that’s me.”

“Impressive. I’m glad someone gave those guys a tough time for a change, though I doubt they’ll take kindly to it. Especially Alec Gerard, when he hears.” He jerked his head in Mina’s direction. “Though if you try to hurt my sister, I will have to kill you.”

I shrugged. “Not sure I’d respect anyone who valued their family any less.”

“Hmm.” Mavic nodded in approval. “I think I like you.”

Mina leaned in front of her brother again. “They said you’re from Brinnea?”

“It’s where I grew up.” Not a lie.

“I’ve never been, but I’ve heard it’s beautiful.”

“You haven’t been anywhere other than home and here, Mina.”

“Neither have you!” she snapped back at Mavic. It was an effort to repress a snort.