Had the bandit returned?
With a nod, the two warriors snuck toward the narrow passage, preparing to ambush the man as soon as he came through.
Brandt heard the sound of stone on stone before he saw anything. Whatever moved, it sounded large. His stomach twisted in knots when he identified it.
The passage.
Ana must have reached the conclusion about the same time he did. She sprinted ahead of him, light over the rocks. He followed, but lost ground with every step. Gods, but she was fast.
She was in the passage when he got to the start of it. Sure enough, the narrow passage was closing. Brandt saw the flutter of a dark cloak on the other side of the passage, but his attention was captured by Ana.
She wasn’t going to make it.
The passage was going to close around her.
An impossible death, trapped in stone forever.
He reached in and found her hand. Too late, she realized her danger.
He pulled with all his might.
At the same time, she became light. He yanked her off her feet toward him, the two of them crashing down together as the passage sealed shut, as though it had never existed.
2
Alena yelped as her mother pulled the covers off her bed, exposing her to the crisp morning air. Her thin nightgown did little to trap her body’s heat.
Even with her eyes closed, Alena knew her mother was shaking her head in disapproval. “You’ll be late.”
Alena grasped for the covers, but her mother held them elusively out of reach. “There’s hot tea for you downstairs. Your brother might have left you some food, if you’re fortunate.”
Alena groaned, but the soft embrace of drowsiness abandoned her. She rubbed at her eyes and pushed herself to sitting. Her mother kissed the top of her head, then left the room, her task complete.
Alena looked longingly at her bed for a few moments before standing and reaching for her clothes. She dressed in the uniform of her academy, a simple blue tunic and dark pants. Dresses were an option, but she preferred the pockets and mobility of her current outfit.
She walked down the stairs of their small home into the dining room, where her younger brother, Jace, ate everything in sight. Alena sat at the table and swiped the last piece of bread before Jace could devour it. He glared at her, but with his cheeks full of food, any chance at intimidation was lost.
The bread was still warm, and Alena said a small prayer of thanks for her mother. Before marrying Dad, she had been the middle daughter of a baker’s family, and she still rose early to bake. Alena nibbled on the bread while sipping the cup of tea her mom had prepared.
Breakfast ended too soon, but it was a small price to pay for the extra sleep.
Jace sprinted out of the room to gather what supplies he needed for the day. Alena’s mom sat down at the table across from her. “You’re working this afternoon?”
Alena nodded. “I shouldn’t be long. I just need to finish some of the bookkeeping for the month.”
Mom beamed at her, and Alena quelled the now familiar shame in her stomach. “Do you think he’ll offer you a position?”
Alena let out an exaggerated sigh. “I told you I would let you know. I’m not sure.”
Mom raised her hands in mock surrender. “I know. It just sounds like your apprenticeship is going well. We’re both proud of you, you know.”
“I know.”
Before Alena could say more, Jace burst back into the room. “Let’s go! There’s supposed to be an instructor from the wolfblades today.”
Mom gave Alena a knowing look. Jace dreamed of joining the elite military units with all the enthusiasm a fourteen-year-old scrawny boy who had never been in a street fight could. He didn’t have a chance, but it wasn’t their parents’ manner to crush hopeless dreams. Alena must have picked up the habit, because she said nothing either.
After the customary goodbyes, the two left for the academy.
Jace pestered Alena on the walk. “Did you know that the wolfblades are one of the original units commissioned by Emperor Anders I? They’ve been active as a unit for over two hundred years!”
“I did not,” Alena replied drily. It didn’t matter how little enthusiasm she displayed. Jace would continue until they reached the academy. The best she could do was endure it.
Fortunately, their journey to the academy was not a long one. When the squat, two-story structure came into view, Jace quieted. A group of about twenty students had gathered in the street outside.
“What’s happening?” her brother asked.
Alena shook her head. She recognized a few of the students. They were drawn to trouble the way Jace was to military history.
Alena was about to pass them by when she caught a glimpse of a student in the middle of the circle. Ren cowered within, overshadowed by a young man who was several heads taller.
She glanced toward the academy, but knew no help would come from that direction. On academy grounds, rules were absolute. On the street in front of the academy, the instructors couldn’t be bothered.
Alena took a step toward the academy gates, then stopped. If it had been anyone but Ren she would have walked by.
But Ren didn’t deserve his fates. Like most students, Ren was several years younger than Alena, but he was small, even for his age. He attracted tormentors of all stripes.
“Go inside, Jace,” she commanded.
Jace looked from her to the group. “Come on—”
“Now!” she interrupted.
He cursed at her, but obeyed. Jace thought he wanted to be like his older sister, but he didn’t have the stomach for trouble. Deep down, he enjoyed following the rules. He preferred order over chaos.
Once he was safe on academy property, Alena shouldered her way into the crowd. She received several angry glares, until the students saw who it was. Then they made way for her.
She reached the front of the crowd in
