The Ring Academy by CL Walters

Author:CL Walters
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9798985032574
Publisher: Mixed Plate Press

14

THE SECOND TRIAL

Imogene—clumped up with Tsua, Jenna, and Vempur—walked into the Codex’s main room ready to face the trial. The giant room had floor-to-vaulted-ceiling windows, rare tomes and research materials shelved along the walls, and shiny pillars of black mycyte around its perimeter. The space was set up with individual tables framed with two chairs, a Kobosham game board set up on the center of each table, though the pieces hadn’t been distributed yet. No computer version for the Trials. Bright light from the suns filtered through the windows casting the room in a reddish, golden light, the coolant that spilled through the room kept the environment regulated.

“There’s the check in,” Jenna said and led them to a table where they received their seat placement and a bag filled with their game pieces. They wouldn’t know their opponent until they sat down to play at the designated time.

“Kobosham it is then,” Tsua glanced around the room.

“I’m really nervous.” Imogene looked for Kade.

“Why?” Vempur asked.

“I’m just–” She turned to her friend. “Residual freak-out.”

Vempur draped a heavy arm over her shoulders. “Sol, you’re going to be fine. This trial won’t be life or death.”

“But winning it is,” she muttered. His arm tightened around her. “What if I get an opponent I can’t beat? I’m not great at this game.”

“I heard you had some private lessons.” Vempur winked at her. “Though I can’t say I approve.” His smile faded. “He’s an arrogant ass.”

“What? How?”

“He came to see me first.”

“Who?” Jenna asked.

Imogene stumbled on her words until she croaked out, “Why?”

“He said he knew the game, and I guess to make sure it was okay?”

“Who? What?” Jenna asked again.

“Kade,” Tsua provided.

“Are you kidding?” Jenna crossed her arms.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Imogene asked Vempur. “Asked? Like for permission?”

“Not kidding.” Tsua’s claw clacked against his Com as usual.

Jenna sighed. “Oh. That’s really sweet.”

Vempur looked at Jenna. “Sweet?” He made an irritated noise, refocusing on Imogene. “I still don’t like him.” He shrugged. “But if you got the help you need, then whatever.”

“Permission?” This infuriated her. She glanced around to find Kade. When she did, his back was to her. He was dressed in his gray fatigues like the rest of them, but she couldn’t miss him, as if his energy was a homing beacon.

The night before, his teasing, his smile, the easy way they’d worked together over Kobosham wound around her like her comfortable sweater. It was a sweater she wanted to snuggle into and keep, but one she figured was better to get rid of because those feelings would unravel her. They would push her off her game and make her complacent.

And now Vempur was watching her.

“Permission? From you?”

He tensed and frowned. “Don’t get upset. I think he was trying to be respectful of our relationship, Sol. He didn’t know what–” He stopped.

“He thought you and me… were–” She couldn’t say it but her hand flipped back and forth between them.

“I guess.”

“You two?” Jenna frowned.

Imogene shook her head. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you,” she told Vempur.

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