Page 53 of Blood of the Fallen
“I didn’t know,” I said.
“But I don’t think that excuses her behavior. We’ve all been through a lot, and perhaps, you most of all.”
I shook my head, unsure of whether that was true. Watching someone murder a person you loved might be the hardest thing in the world.
At last, the Chieftess walked away from the Paquiwoc woman and returned to us. When I looked at the woods next, the tawny wolf was back, retreating through the trees, an unmistakable urgency in her steps.
After that, we walked for another hour. I thought we would keep going until sunset, but there were still a couple of hours of daylight left when Chieftess Yura announced we were stopping. Kall had disappeared with Maki, shifting and shooting into the forest to scout.
I frowned, glancing all around. Novuk was standing behind me, Nirliq riding on his shoulders. She had braided his thick hair here and there, making him look comical.
“Why are we stopping?” I asked, trying not to laugh.
He leaned down and whispered. “For the last trial, I think.”
“What?!”
Today? Yes, Chieftess Yura had said she would speed up the process, but we’d only had the second trial yesterday—not to mention that we’d been walking all day. Even if I wasn’t as tired as I’d been on our last trip, I still wouldn’t be at the top of my game. I started to panic, then realized that Desna wouldn’t be either. I could hope.
I settled my pack on the ground, my hands starting to sweat as I wondered what the next trial would be. I was squatting next to my backpack, staring into space, when I noticed Delthomir setting his own load down and scurrying toward the bushes. He glanced back over his shoulder and, encountering my gaze, smiled sheepishly, and ducked under a heavy branch. Someone was in a hurry to use the facilities.
“I’ll pitch the tent, why don’t you rest?” Ila said, appearing behind me.
I shook my head. “If I don’t stay busy, it won’t be pretty. I’d better help you.”
“All right, let’s do it, sister.” She flung an arm over my shoulder and guided me toward a clear spot under a couple of trees. “We’ll set it up over here.”
“Sounds good…sister.” Saying the word felt a bit awkward, but it also felt right and… awesome. Ila gave me a huge smile, and we began to work.
CHAPTER 21
“Inthisthirdandfinal trial, you will fight in your human form,” Chieftess Yura said, standing in the center of our new hastily made camp. “Desna and Sheela, are you ready?”
We squared our shoulders and faced each other. Desna held her hands at her sides, leaning forward slightly. I stood on the balls of my feet, fists raised. This was the way I’d been taught to fight. I knew nothing else—especially not what to expect from my opponent.
“Ready,” Desna and I said in unison.
“On the third drumbeat, you will fight in hand-to-hand combat,” the Chieftess instructed.
Nosh hit his drum.
Beat.
“The winner will be our triad’s alpha.”
Beat.
“May the sun and the moon guide you, and may the best wolf win.”
Beat.
Before I had time to blink, Desna jumped in my direction, her leap nothing a mere human could accomplish. She wrapped her arms around my waist, and I hit the ground hard. Growling and baring her teeth, she straddled me and landed a punch on my jaw. Pain that felt as if something was splintering spiked through my skull. Blood filled my mouth.
Desna’s mother and siblings cheered her on. Grinning with satisfaction, she pulled her fist back and tried to punch me again, but I threw my arms up and blocked her.
“You don’t belong here, city rat,” she spat so that only I could hear her.
I wasn’t a city rat, and I belonged here. I knew that now.
