Page 78 of The Scars Within
“You don’t know that.”
She finally turned to face me, an eyebrow raised, disbelief written across her features. “Everyone in my family channeled their element long before their Burn Trials. Until me. I might as well start packing now.”
“That doesn’t sound like the Tatum I know,” I said, standing up and pacing across the space. The stars glimmered above us, distant and untouchable. “You’re the most ambitious person in our entire faction. You’re always the one keeping our quad grounded and focused. Why the sudden doubt?”
Her laughter was soft but bitter as she stood, meeting my gaze with an intensity that surprised me. “Did you ever think that maybe my ‘tough-girl’ act was just that—an act? Just because I look like I’ve got it all figured out doesn’t mean I actually do.”
“Nobody has it all figured out, Tatum,” I said, my voice softer now.
“I’m supposed to,” she snapped, pressing a hand against her chest. “I’m supposed to follow in my brother’s footsteps. My parents—elements, they were so proud when I got accepted into Mageia. They finally had a daughter, and she would be just like her brothers. But in afew days, I will be the one to break their hearts.” Her voice cracked on the last word, and she turned away from me, her shoulders tense. I stared at her back, the moonlight casting shadows over her.
All this time, I thought Tatum was the most sure of herself out of the four of us. She always seemed so confident—like she knew exactly who she was and what she was meant to do. But I never stopped to consider that maybe, just maybe, she was carrying the same doubts I do.
I wear my toughness like armor, a shield to keep the world from seeing the cracks underneath. It’s easier to stand tall, to act unshakable than to admit that sometimes I feel like I’m barely holding it together. But maybe Tatum’s the same—putting on a brave face while the weight of expectations drags her down. We all have our battles. And even though our stories are different, my battle happens to look a lot like hers.
Without saying a word, I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around her. She didn’t move at first, but then she let out a shaky breath, and I felt her relax slightly against me. We stood there in the quiet as I leaned into her back.
Chapter 32
Today is a day of dual significance. For some, it marks the pinnacle of their lives, while for others, it signals the end of it. The only certainty participating cadets have of making it through this day alive is if they have already channeled the fire element. If they have, they will be able to participate in the trials in hopes of a dragon choosing them. If they aren’t chosen, they will have to wait until next year’s trials to try again.
The sun blazes in its zenith, making today the hottest day of the year and signaling the peak of summer’s intensity before the gradual embrace of autumn’s cooler temperatures.
Today is the Burn Trials.
Dragon Valley has been transformed into the event’s epicenter to accommodate the entire war college. Temporary bleachers were set up for the event and lined the valley walls. I’ve been trying my best to keep my mind off the decision Tatum faces. She has yet to reveal whether she will participate in the Burn Trials, leading us all to assume she might not.
Last night and this morning were filled with unspoken farewells. None of us dared to ask Tatum directly about her plans. If she does not channel an element by the end of today, she will be classified as a mundane and have to leave Mageia.
My friends and I settled into the stands, mingling with other first-year cadets. Unbonded dragons soar gracefully above while professors work to get everything ready for the event below. The Burn Trials will last until sundown or until the last first-year group has completed the trial.
A crunching sound drew my attention. I glanced over at Cleo, who was munching on something. “You brought snacks?” I whisper-yelled.
She shrugged nonchalantly. “Of course I did.” She popped a potato crisp into her mouth, savoring it with a satisfied grin.
I shook my head slowly, a smirk playing on my lips. I couldn’t lie, I’m a little jealous of how prepared she is. Today is bound to be intense, and the simple comfort of snacks seemed oddly reassuring.
I glanced up at Tatum, who sat behind me with an unreadable expression. Her gaze was fixed intently on the professors below, the gravity of the day etched into her features. I turned back to face the valley, the weight of the moment settling over us all.
An hour had passed as everyone within the college took their places for the day’s events. Our military personnel were strategically positioned throughout the valley, and I was relieved to not spot Captain Thorne among them. The second-years had occupied the bleachers nearby, though I still hadn’t caught sight of either of the Wylder brothers. Aunt Cora was down in the pit, alongside Professor Yearwood and Professor Scrivens, orchestrating the preparations.
Professors moved in and out of a makeshift tent, bringing supplies and setting up the necessary equipment. Thin, soft blankets lay in waiting outside the tent, ready to be draped over any cadet who completed the trial and bonded with a dragon. These blankets will cover the cadets whose clothes are reduced to ash in the trial’s fiery test. From what I could gather, the tent serves as a triage space, a crucial stop for cadets immediately after being selected by a dragon.
The atmosphere surged with anticipation as everyone settled into their roles. The preparations for the Burn Trials were nearly complete,and the moment when the trials would commence seemed to draw closer with each passing minute.
Someone below caught my eye. Shayde waved his arm at me, motioning for me to come down. I shimmied through the bleachers and down the steps to him.
He handed me a cold drink and said, “I didn’t know if you had enough time to grab a coffee this morning.”
I looked down at the clear glass as I took it, the color was deep brown. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that iced black coffee wasn’t my thing, so I forced myself to take a sip and smile.
“Mm, thank you so much. I really needed this,” I said, trying not to gag.
Shayde told me he would see me during the lunch break, and I made my way back to my friends. A pewter thermos was sitting on my seat. I raised my brows in confusion, and Laney answered my unsaid question, “Rhodes dropped it off for you.”
A wave of some feeling that I didn’t understand washed over me. Guilt mixed with glee? I set the iced black coffee down at my feet and opened the thermos. Medium roast with sweet cream. I could drink hot coffee even on the most scorching days. It wakes me up more than iced coffee does.
I raised the thermos to my lips and paused.
