rolling over the valley outside our window. It was only a few fee

ding from the confrontation in class. Kieran's challenge echoed in

e I knew the

ght and unyielding. It pulsed with power neith

broke the silence, low an

dn't

tend this isn't happening. The Gauntlet isn't a joke. I

at. "Why me? Why did the bond c

on't know. Maybe the Moon ha

y. "Yeah, well, s

ng Tr

nder the grey dawn sky. The grass was slick wi

expression unreadable. I clenched my fists

he said without preamble, drawing a

ng my blades, the wood

ch other, sil

nged

d, hear

des flickering in the cold light, bodi

d, stepped back, a

otwork's

snapped, frust

"If you want to survive the Ga

ng, but I kne

said, surprisi

g behind his guarded eyes. "Fine. Bu

ing M

. Kieran's training was relentless, each stri

The bond between us thrummed beneath my skin, a constant

ur eyes locked, the tension crackled w

er gave me mor

r in

aining, we ate in t

. Kieran pushed his food aroun

"Why do you hat

surprised by

I don't want a mate. I don't

the bond

ad. "The bond doesn't get a cho

n of rejection, the hum

to be chained,

for the briefest moment

ough the Gaunt

inside, I wa

ncil's

Council Chambers, a vast hall filled wit

chairs, faces carved

Elder Maris intoned. "It carries

llowe

crucible," he continued. "Only those who e

lenched

e of us fai

ath," Elder Maris

those words settle

ght Con

dorm, slee

is bed, staring

hing real," I

d up, su

who you are, ben

moment, he

"I lost my family when I was ten.

rging him t

r since. To be strong.

hing a stray lock o

e you because it kno

omething unspoken

untlet

Gauntlet arrive

inth, walls twisting and turnin

od at the entran

ne chance,

, heart

lammed shut

e tria