Page 18 of Shadow Bonds

“What happens if they can’t control it? If they go into the Void but it doesn’t purge the madness from them?” I ask, a little afraid to hear her answer.

Robin gives me a look that already tells me everything I need to know but she says it anyway. “They die.”

CHAPTER 6

Crawling my way through the shallow water along the edge of the lake with a group of other girls was not how I expected to spend my weekend. But Instructor Dane doesn’t believe in weekends and rest. Apparently, every single day of the week should be torture. All while he gets to stand there and spew comments about how weak we all are while staying warm and dry.

I’m starting to see a trend in all of these males. They’re all cocky, over-confident and way too good looking, but it’s overshadowed by their bad temper, lack of manners, and asshole-ish ways.

Half the day is gone before I stumble to my feet and limp back to the house.

The four are already outside, all looking like they’re waiting for something. I figure out what that something is when they spot me and glare at me as I made my way toward them.

“About fucking time,” Knox huffs, acting all annoyed when all I’m doing is trying to exist.

“What?” I grit out, ready for my bed and not this shit.

“You’re training with us,” Malakai says like a statement instead of a request.

“No, I’m not. Especially not after last time.” I move to step around them when they span out, blocking my way.

“Let’s be honest, you deserve that and more,” Knox says like it should be obvious. But I haven’t a clue who they are, and whatever happened between them and the other Sena wasn’t my fault.

I pause, realizing they don’t know that either. And it just makes this all the more confusing and frustrating. I should be mad at them, and I am. In fact, I’m livid most of the time I see one of their faces. But I also know the Sena before me did something to make them this angry. And I haven’t a clue what it is.

Cyrus has been silently watching me and the exchange between the others these last couple of minutes, but he finally speaks up. “You really don’t remember any of us?”

I sigh and shake my head. “No, and up until the other day I didn’t even know your names. Someone else pointed them out. That day, you all got demoted from eye color to assholes by the way.”

A round of chuckles rings out. But they quickly realize they’re laughing at somethingIsaid, and they cut it off, clearing their throats and frowning at one another before glaring at me like it’s my fault they even laughed.

“Fine,” Malakai says. “Let’s pretend you don’t know orremember.” He glances at the others and shares a look I don’t quite understand. But they nod to whatever silent question he asks.

“Let’s start over,” he says.

I narrow my eyes on him, not trusting his little truce for even a second. “You left me in a pit of mud when it was lashing raining out. I could have died.”

He rolls his eyes at me as if I’m being dramatic. “You would’ve been fine. You got us back with the Vims. I was fucking drained most of the day. Could barely lift my legs and arms.”

The thought puts a nice big smile on my face.

He shakes his head at the look, but I don’t miss the slight curve to his lips. “Let’s call it even and move on.”

I groan, not wanting to walk any farther, let alone do another couple of hours of training. “Look, I’ve been training all morning. Instructor Dane is a fucking dick. Just like you all.” I give them all a pointed look. “He made us crawl through the edge of the lake over and over before moving onto the obstacle course from hell. I’m tired.”

I glance up at them when I realize they’ve all gone quiet. And all are wearing frowns.

“What?” I ask.

Theon clenches his jaw. “Your training is supposed to come from us.Notanyone else.”

“All the other females train along with me,” I tell them, and their frowns only deepen.

“Where the hell did you think I went all this time?” I ask, realizing that they just assumed I was off living my best life.

Malakai shrugs. “Class?”

“To do your nails?” Knox says making me narrow my eyes on him.

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