Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 117246 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 586(@200wpm)___ 469(@250wpm)___ 391(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117246 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 586(@200wpm)___ 469(@250wpm)___ 391(@300wpm)
I stiffened my knees, staying put, and aimed my gun at Lark, my shooter. But I didn’t fire yet.
“No offense,” she stated with a shrug, “but I don’t want someone like you representing me. We require strength and immunity to pressure—my best attributes. You will fold faster than yesterday’s laundry.”
Her words hurt almost as much as the dart. How easy it would be to fire in retaliation. But I didn’t. I couldn’t exactly refute her accusation or logic either.
A good leader didn’t simply deny accusations. She disproved them.
Using the rejection as fuel, I lowered my weapon without tapping the trigger, demonstrating restraint and resilience. “Thank you for your honesty.” I did my best to mask my labored inhalations. “As your representative, I will ensure my actions match my words. I won’t harm a fellow teammate even when they deserve it.”
She rolled her eyes. “Harming you aided everyone, even you; you’re just too stubborn to admit it. But that’s okay—you can thank me later.” She batted her lashes at Roman with exaggerated innocence. “Unless I’m busy schooling another teammate.”
There was a sole weapon I could use to beat someone like her without breaking my campaign promise: wits. “You’re obviously too smart to waste a dart on someone you consider a nonthreat. Admit it, you’re afraid of me and jealous of my friendship with Roman.” Not that we were officially friends. “I might not be the strongest among us, but I’ve already proven I’m more than qualified. I only met the big brute today, but I’ve already convinced him to serve as my personal guard.”
“Now hold up—” Roman began with a frown.
“I’m jealous of no one,” Lark snarled.
Playing right into my hand. “Sure. You’re not jealous of me.” I winked at her. “But you can’t deny you’re scared of me. Afraid to go hand to hand with me.” I smirked with all the smirk I had. “Me and my team refuse to be led by a fearmonger.” An insult I’d only ever heard directed at me.
“I fear nothing!” Baring her teeth, she stalked my way, abandoning her territory to prove it.
“Whoop! She got you, girl,” someone said, cackling. “You’re disqualified.”
Lark halted abruptly, shock replacing her fury. Of course, the fury resurged with a vengeance, fully directed at me. When she stormed off, triumph and relief nearly drilled me to the floor. I’d done it! I’d beat her without firing a shot, proving myself capable.
Roman comprehended my strategy and nodded at me, as if impressed.
Jericho used the distraction to his advantage, shooting Roman, who scowled and brushed the missile from his skin.
“My turn to share a personal fact,” Roman stated, and no one, not even Jericho, naysaid him. “I’m from a military family, and I’ve trained for this my entire life. I’m loyal to those who are loyal to me, and I’ll do whatever proves necessary to save my people, even mow down an enemy or a friend. Those who stand with me, prove it. Shoot Jericho and join the HP at the tables. Those who aren’t with me, prepare for my wrath.”
The color drained from my former date’s face when four people aimed. Pft, pft, pft, pft. Each dart landed, and down the soldier fell. As he foamed at the mouth, Shiloh and the other medics rushed to offer assistance. The shooters disqualified themselves.
“The rest of you better want to represent us enough to suffer,” Roman said, his confidence unwavering.
Though I fought residual pain, I didn’t back down. Even as four other soldiers walked away, joining the others at the tables. My heart drummed against my ribs. Only three of us remained in the circle. Roman had a single dart left. Our fellow challenger, Titus, might have all his ammunition or none; I suddenly couldn’t recall who had shot whom.
With all three of my darts locked and loaded, I debated my lone option. Join Titus to take out Roman. Because there was no way I could secure a vote against him.
The two guys faced off, acting as if I wasn’t there.
“You sure you want to go head to head?” Roman demanded.
“Beyond.” With a cold smile, Titus aimed and unloaded two darts into the other boy. The missiles sank into Roman’s chest, bracketing his heart. “You aren’t the only lord from a military family.”
Countenance darkening the slightest bit, Roman yanked the projectiles free. He used his final dart, hitting Titus in the throat. But Titus, too, pulled the projectile free without a reaction.
How were they still standing?
“Finish him, Ardie.” Veins bulged as Roman fought an onslaught of pain. “Now.”
Hey. I liked Roman. I did. But this was a competition for a rare prize. I needed to do what was best for me and the team, which included keeping my word. Integrity meant something. A treasure more valuable than gold.
“Arden,” he snapped.
“No,” I rasped, then I repeated it with more force. “No. I won’t do it. Titus is my teammate. And so are you. I meant what I said. I won’t harm any of you. But I will outlast you.” I wouldn’t budge from my circle until both of my opponents passed out.