The Benders by Katie French

Author:Katie French [French, Katie]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Young Adult
ISBN: 0692339698
Amazon: B00QOORL08
Goodreads: 23336637
Publisher: Katie French Books
Published: 2014-12-06T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

Riley

Nada and I are spared work for a few hours while they clean up from Shali and the fire. Nada lays on her bunk not moving. I spend the time thinking about my lost family. Ethan, Clay, and Auntie. How is it we’re always separated? I remember Auntie teaching me about magnetic fields and how polar opposites attract, but the other side of a magnet will repel its twin every time. That’s what my family feels like lately. We’re always being thrust in opposite directions by a giant malevolent hand. Not this time, I think, gritting my teeth. When I get my family back together, we’re going to stay together come hell or high water.

A guard comes to get us at lunch time. Nada slides down the bunk and walks beside me without a word or a glance. When we get into the mess hall, the meal is already in full swing. More gruel sits on the plates. Here food is just to keep your body running. It makes me miss my mama’s cooking something fierce.

Nada and I get our trays and find a corner near the back. Mister eyes me as I walk past, but I keep my gaze forward. No sense in poking a bear, especially one who already has me in its sights.

Not more than five minutes into the meal, Lord Merek and his entourage enter, with a flourish of trumpets again. This time Doc is among them, looking nervous, his eyes scanning the crowd, probably for Nada. She keeps her eyes down.

Merek looks ridiculous once again, wearing another medieval king’s outfit—purple velvet coat and britches and a frilled collar, an outfit that must be stifling in this heat. If he sweats, I can’t see it, but then it looks like he’s put powder on his bald head and red neck.

“Hear ye, hear ye. The good Lord Merek will now entertain contestants for his birthday tournament. Those of you who wish to enter, please rise. Pay mind though, once your name is inked on the scroll, you may not back out. Your fate,” he pauses and looks around the mess hall for effect, “is sealed.” The trumpeter makes a flourish with his hand and then holds out a yellow parchment and a pen.

Nada bolts upright beside me and her hand shoots in the air. “Me,” she says, striding forward.

Doc’s eyes zip to her and he shakes his head. Keeping her eyes on the parchment, Nada walks through the staring benders and up to Lord Merek and his men.

“I want to enter,” she says, her chin jutted, her split lip tight with determination.

Lord Merek looks her up and down, then bursts into laughter. His counterparts join.

“That’s ridiculous,” Merek says, waving a dismissive hand. “You’ll be killed in the first round.”

“Let her play,” says one of the guards. “A few scrawny ones’ll add variety. Keep it going longer.”

Merek looks over at his guard and back at Nada. His gloved hands flex over his golden scepter like he’s enjoying this whole exchange.

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