Page 44 of A Sky of Storms
I looked around at the seven Potentials standing in a circle. I recognised all their faces but didn’t have a fucking clue what any of their names were, apart from Flynn and Dick. My best friend was the only one worth remembering anyway. Dick, on the other hand, just had a way of weaselling himself into your mind with a name like that.
“Other than weapons and the possibility of making more, we have some food, medical supplies, and stuff for sleeping,” I said, thinking about what I’d seen on each level. “We’ll need to find water, hunt for more food and also recruit extra people.”
“I can go look for food,” Flynn offered, but I shook my head. I didn’t want to risk sending him out there with those things flying around. Although I had a feeling they were going to be the least of our problems.
“Nah, we need to be here to hold the garrison and vet whoever wants to join us,” I told him, then looked to the others. “This isn’t a care home. Everyone needs to pull their weight.”
A tall woman with delicate features pushed back her shoulders and set her chin. “I’ll go find food and collect water.”
“See.” I waved a hand in her direction. “We want assets like her.” I pointed to a muscular guy who was sporting a bruised face. “You go with her tomorrow.”
He nodded, then winced from the movement.
“Someone give him the med kit,” I ordered. “Patch yourselves up but don’t be wasteful. Everything must last the month. If you’re not a team player, you’re out on your ass. I want everyone ready to act on a moment’s notice. There are threats out there and I will drop any dead weight.”
They all dispersed, moving into action to get the place in order. The rest of the weapons were allocated and then my followers set about sorting supplies or patching wounds. A woman standing by the door grimaced, trying and failing to hide the fact that she was holding her ribs as she made her way towards the med kit.
We needed to get more recruits and we needed them asap.
Leaving my followers to it, I climbed the stairs to the second floor and found myself sitting against the stone wall with Flynn by my side. I hated that I had to wait until morning to send people out. I wanted to increase our numbers and we needed more food. The rations, whilst good, were not enough. I’d been used to eating lightly when food was scarce at home, but there wasn’t enough for the seven of us currently in the garrison to last much longer than a week. Out here, food could be used like currency. In a few days, people would be starving and once they found out that we had food, shelter, and weapons, they would want to be a part of that. They’d be desperate, and desperate people were easy to manipulate.
“We are gonna be like kings in this place,” Flynn said, nudging my side. “Once we get some extra supplies and Potentials to fill our ranks, this month is going to be a breeze.”
“I’m banking on it,” I replied with a grin. “All those followers back at the House of Ascension are out there either searching for us or waiting to be found. I reckon we’ll get a bunch of others too.”
“What do you want me to do if Nellie is beat up pretty badly?” he asked, resting his head back.
“The chick with the injured ribs?”
“Yeah, her.”
“Throw her out,” I told him, tapping my fingers on my knee. “We aren’t babysitting. This is a competition and only the strongest will survive. She can take her chances out there.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
As if on cue, a savage growl rumbled from outside. I smiled, anticipation spiking.
One hundred Potentials entered this trial. I couldn’t wait to see how many would be left standing with me and Flynn at the finish line.
Istumbledthroughthemarshland, my boots sticking in the muddy water, making it harder to find purchase as I sprinted. Something had been chasing me for the better half of the day. Somethingbig.
The eerie screams of a creature followed in my steps, and I shivered as the discordant sound seemed to vibrate in my bones, sending invisible bugs skittering down my spine. My damaged wing fluttered uselessly behind me, dragging across the marsh, and I clenched my teeth. I wanted nothing more than to put my wings away, but if I did so now it would set wrong, and I’d never be able to fly again.
That thought alone was the only thing stopping me from giving in. Not being able to fly again felt like a fate worse than death. Nothing would take that gift from me. Flying was my freedom, my escape from all the bullshit, and my emergency measure in case I didn’t have access to a portabracelet and ever needed to get Hadley away from our parents.
I just had to make it to safety. I swallowed as a shriek sounded, closer this time. The damn thing was persistent and, as horrible a thought as it was, I could only hope it would find someone else to prey upon. My strength was waning, and the injuries in my shoulders were taxing what little strength I had left.
If I didn’t find water or meds soon, they’d fester, and I’d die of infection before anything else could lay a claw on me.
I looked around, squinting to spot somewhere to hide. In the distance, a dark shadow sprang up above the trees, and I almost wilted in relief. A building of sorts, which would at least give me somewhere to bed down out of the elements and away from the insatiable beast hot on my tail.
With renewed vigour, I forced my legs to keep pushing, and I sprinted into a set of trees to make sure I could do the last dash out in the open towards that beacon of hope. I frowned, glaring at the full moon above. Could it be any brighter out there? I may as well have a sign above my head that said all-you-can-eat buffet.
As I launched into the woods, I yelped as something crashed into my side, sending me tumbling into the disgusting water. I brandished my shoddy spear threateningly, only to find Zane’s wide green eyes staring back at me.
“Starfish? Oh, thank my flippers, you’re okay.” He reached out and pulled me to my feet with surprising strength, twisting my chin gently with his other hand. “You’re hurt,” he said gravelly, his eyes hardening as he took me in.
My eyes widened in surprise at the sudden change in his temperament. For someone who was usually cool as a cucumber, he certainly had a dominant streak in him. I had to admit, it was kinda hot.
