Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 121924 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121924 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
My stomach seized as the half-bloods’ attention honed in on me. I forced my muscles not to tense and determinedly kept my expression neutral, unwilling to let them pick up on my unease. How could I not be an uneasy? They didn’t look necessarily displeased that I’d survived Xalbia—I got the impression it was that they were annoyed I’d proven them wrong. Every step of the way I’d surprised them, and they very much resented it.
As the Sovereigns turned to Ajax, I allowed my gaze to slide to Talon. His eyes were on me, and not even the tiniest flicker of emotion could be seen. His Cardinal mask was firmly in place.
While I appreciated—and wanted—that professionalism, it was still kind of odd to have him look at me with such distance in his eyes. He was much better at compartmentalizing than I was.
I cast subtle glances at my fellow candidates. Most appeared sober and nervous, much like Bevan and Lear, but they held their heads up highish. Others were stiff and fidgety like Reeve and Sable, and I wondered if they were torn on what to do. I had no clue what Atticus intended—his expression was still empty.
As the half-bloods fully faced the crowd of candidates once more, Minos stood to his full height. “Good morning.” It wasn’t so much a greeting as a flat formality. “Xalbia, as you know, is officially over. Every single one of you not only survived it but passed.” He gave a slight nod of respect. “Well done to you all.”
“As I am sure has been explained to you, nobody is obliged to join the Order,” Eacus chipped in. “There is no shame in choosing a different path. But our hope is that you will join. Difficult times are upon us. Every last man and woman counts.”
“Be that as it may,” Rhad began, “we only want those who will dedicate themselves to the Tapestry. The force is only as strong as its weakest member. It must always be solid.”
“Those of you who do not wish to join the Black Tapestry, step forward,” bid Minos.
Several tense moments past, and then three candidates took a shuffling step toward the Sovereigns. One was Sable, which didn’t much surprise me. Another was one of Bevan’s group, which I’d half-expected. The third was a female who had actually powered through every step of Xalbia, so that did take me off-guard. But then, as Quillen had pointed out, the labyrinth had a way of making people reconsider the wisdom of joining the Order.
Minos’ gaze flicked from the three who’d stepped forward. “Ariadne will escort you out of here and find you a different placement. Go.”
Their heads bowed, they melted away and followed his daughter out of the garrison.
“As for the rest of you, consider yourselves now an official seam within the Black Tapestry,” said Minos. “Serve the Order well and it will do the same for you.”
As one, the Sovereigns turned to leave. Minos, however, paused; his gaze sliding to me. Elegant as ever, he came toward me. Like before, my power slinked back, as if still locked in observation mode. Though I didn’t see how it could be locked in any mode—it wasn’t sentient. It didn’t think. Didn’t want. Didn’t strategize.
“Congratulations, Anara,” said Minos, his voice toneless.
“Thank you,” I said with a slight smile.
“Many unanswered questions surround you, but I can say one thing for certain: You do not lack courage.” With that, he strode away.
I subtly released a relieved breath, and the power within me again spread its metaphorical wings.
Once the Sovereigns had left, Ajax cleared his throat and spoke to the crowd as a whole again. “Grab your uniforms, choose a bed in the barracks, and then you will be assigned your duties here at the garrison. Tonight, we celebrate. Oh, and”—a corner of his mouth tipped up—“welcome to the Black Tapestry.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
“I’m not asking for a kidney here,” said Khalida later on with a huff. “It’s a simple request.”
“It’s a nosy request,” I corrected.
“Why does that matter?”
Well, of course that would be her response.
“Come on,” she began, leaning toward me, “is Talon into any out there stuff or not?” As if to be sure that he hadn’t overheard her, she spared him a quick glance. He stood several feet away with Keyes, who’d caught Talon’s attention just as he appeared to be making his way to me.
“Let it go,” I told her, idly tugging on the courtyard’s short grass.
Her jaw firmed. “You’re my cousin. You have to tell me everything about everything. That’s the rule.”
“But we’re not actually cousins. And even if we were, it wouldn’t entitle you to know my private business.”
“Of course it would. Where do you hear such lies?”
Exchanging a look with a chuckling Jelani, I shook my head. The rest of our group were scattered around the outdoor space of the garrison, laughing and drinking and dancing.