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)
By letting that veiled threat slip, Atticus had pretty much announced that if I were to go missing or be killed, he was the one responsible. For me, there really were perks to him being an idiot.
Ajax’s eyes went slitted as he regarded Atticus. “I would imagine you remember what happened to your friend, Klemens. I can’t think why you would want to …”
The rest of his words got lost as my heart began to pound like crazy in my chest. Shit. I held myself perfectly still. Too still, really. Nobody paid me any attention.
Except Talon.
I felt him watching me; had the sense that he suspected I was in such a heightened state.
From the corner of my eye, I saw him move. Saw him begin to slowly prowl around the space, coolly calm yet hypervigilant.
Saw him heading in my direction.
He purposely brushed his upper arm against mine as he passed by. He was testing my body’s response, I knew. But I’d been braced for it, so I didn’t flinch. Didn’t move a muscle. Didn’t look at—
“We’ll eat before we get started,” said Ajax, dragging my attention right back to him with those magic words. “Go find yourselves a seat.”
I made a fast beeline for a divan near the firepit, intending to absorb as much of the warmth from it as I could. No doubt having the same plan, Lear, Reeve, and his friend Finian quickly joined me.
Sipping water from the pouch that I dug out of my knapsack, I watched as Ajax and Quillen readied the pit while Talon watered the dogs.
The fire did chase some of the chill from the space. But my hunger pangs got worse when the stew began to heat—the divine smell was mouthwatering.
Soon, food rations were handed out. The dogs were also fed; they happily chomped down chunks of meat before settling down on blankets that Talon pulled from a wall-niche.
After we’d finished eating, we were shown—and invited to use—the waste disposal system before then being taken to the ‘Ob-room.’ Inside were chairs, a table, and four periscopes that showed outdoor activity. Each periscope was aimed in a different direction. Ajax explained that we would each be asked to monitor a particular periscope when it was our turn to go on Ob-duty. He then assigned three candidates—including Atticus—to start right then with Quillen. The rest of us were given a tour around the tunnel system.
The remainder of the day went slowly, but we were kept busy. We scrubbed the dirt, moss, and pine needles from our boots. We swept and mopped the floors. We cleaned the pots, pans, and kitchenware. We took note of what supplies were in storage. After we’d eaten lunch—another small ration of stew—we cleaned away the mess once more.
Every now and then, people were called away to go on Ob-duty. My turn didn’t arrive until shortly after dinner. I was put on duty with Talon, Reeve, and Seneca—who subtly and immaturely gave me a dirty look. I would honestly have thought she’d be bored of doing that by now.
We were each assigned to a certain periscope that gave us, despite the fog, a perfect view of outside. I could only assume they were somehow enchanted to be unaffected the fog, since the same applied to any telescopes at above-ground observation posts.
Each hour, we rotated; moving to a different periscope. None of us found any activity worthy of note. I’d half-expected some officiates from the Order to stage some sort of ‘incident’ to give us a taste of what it was like. But then I realized they wanted us to experience the boredom; to become accustomed to what it would be like to stare through a scope for hours on end with nothing to report.
Ajax and three candidates took over from us once the four hours were up. We returned to the living area … just as Quillen announced that people would now be learning who they’d ‘bunk with’ while here.
“The four currently on Ob-duty will share quarters with Ajax. You three”—he pointed at some officiates—“will bunk with me. Anara, Talon wants you with him. The remaining four of you will share a room.”
I blinked, my mind stuck on: Anara, Talon wants you with him.
I knew he’d chosen this arrangement so that I’d be protected from any kind of sneak attack, and I appreciated that he’d bother. But … I didn’t want to sleep in the same quarters as him. If I did, I’d only keep thinking about the last time we slept in the same space.
I looked his way, finding that he wasn’t paying me any attention; wasn’t interested in how I might respond to Quillen’s announcement. Nope, he was busy fussing over the dogs.
Quillen skimmed his gaze over my fellow candidates. “Follow me and I’ll show you which room you’ll be bedding down in. You should get what sleep you can before you’re back on the periscopes.” His focus switched to me. “Obviously, you’ll follow Talon.” He gave me a quick nod and then disappeared down a tunnel.