No One's Daughter

By Kasey Shultz

Snatched out of her own time, Amy finds herself thrust into the middle of a 26th century power struggle between the mysterious rebel leader Samuel and the captivating Empress Sari. Citing a prophecy, Samuel ignores Amy’s demands to return her to her time and insists that she is the key to rebel victory. Desperate to get back to the 21st century but unable to obtain any time traveling Gaxid stones, Amy strikes a deal to cooperate with the rebels in exchange for passage home. Just as she begins to find her place, uncovered secrets and Sari’s persuasive kindness shake her trust in the rebels until she doesn’t know which side to believe. Torn between factions, centuries, and loves, Amy soon face a choice that could jeopardize the prophecy, the throne, her return home, and time itself.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 8, 2014
• ISBN: 9781493178889

Kasey Shultz

Kasey Shultz is a firm believer in the power of words to shape history and they have captivated her for as long as she can remember. Her heart will always belong to the mountains and rainy mornings of the Pacific Northwest, but she currently lives in Boston, Massachusetts.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Static fills my vision, buzzing in my ears and filling my mouth with smoke. And then color—painful, vibrant color bleeding through images: corridors, hardened unfamiliar faces, blood spattering the floor, a small black stone swinging from a thin chain. And then I am flailing in a sea of spiders, their mandibles clicking and filling my ears with a cacophony of rustling. They crawl over me and fill my mouth. I am choking, drowning on spider legs.

Now large violet eyes, sucking me in and I tumble deeper and deeper, falling through purple voids until I jerk to a halt and hang suspended in blackness. Then light—a speck expanding and spreading across the black until I slam into it, gasping as I feel slivers of glass shred my skin.

I feel eyes watching me and I blink hard, desperately trying to force my eyes to adjust to the searing bright. A shadow approaches, a knife clutched in its hand, light shining around the silhouette. My muscles tense, I try to run, but no movement. Centimeters separate me from the figure and the knife rises above our heads, ready to plunge down and stop the frantic beating of my heart.

Amy!

I flailed awake, reaching under my pillow for my knife before I recognized my surroundings. My fourteen-year-old foster sister Charity stared at me.

You were having The Nightmare again. She said matter of factly.

I extricated myself from my sheets and turned my back to her, looking for clothes. No I wasn’t.

She folded her arms. You were whimpering and thrashing all over the place.

Prove it. I replied as I changed.

She looked pointedly the tangled mess of sheets on my bed before walking away.

Whatever. Happy eighteenth birthday anyway.

I stopped, remembering. Today was the day I had been waiting for since my parents died ten years earlier.

I can leave. I whispered to myself, almost unbelieving.

I stuffed my few possessions into a backpack and slipped downstairs to the kitchen, popping bread into the toaster. Glancing at the clock, I rejoiced that I would be gone before the horde of boys got around to eating breakfast.

As I buttered my toast, my muscles tensed at a noise from the hallway. Recognizing the footsteps, I relaxed—it wasn’t Paul or any of the boys.

Is Paul still asleep? I asked as my foster mom Theresa entered.

She nodded and I sighed in relief, examining her for bruises.

Happy birthday. She touched my shoulder.

Thanks.

You’re able to do what I can’t. She said wistfully.

It’s not too late to leave. I whispered forcefully. File for divorce.

She shook her head, staring morosely at the counter. I can’t abandon the children. They would be taken to other foster homes and I would never see them again.

I sighed. Just . . . think about it, okay? I grabbed my bag, gave her a hug, and walked out the front door for the last time.

I found sixteen-year-old Hunter in the alley smoking a cigarette.

He smirked at me. Finally leaving?

My knife pressed against his throat. You won’t bully the younger boys. Keep them out of trouble, protect them from Paul and stay away from Charity, understand?

He nodded, a flash of fear in his eyes.

I’ll be watching. I promised and walked away.

Chapter 2

A few blocks later my boyfriend found me.

Amy!

Hey, Jas. I gave him a quick smile and he leaned in, but I stepped back.

Not here. It’s not safe.

He smirked. "What, were you going to bite me?

I didn’t smile. In my life, Jas, when anything is perfect, awful things happen.

Jas laughed. So if I kiss you, I’ll end up in a body bag?

I returned his gaze grimly and nodded.

He rolled his eyes and pulled me into an alley behind a dumpster.

No one’s going to look back here, He grinned.

I glanced at the dumpster. If this is your idea of romantic surroundings, I seriously worry for your mental health.

Just shut up and let me kiss you.

After a few seconds, I heard a footstep and my eyes flew open as I jerked back.

I saw someone watching us, I said. Only for a second, but they were there.

Jas tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear. You’re just paranoid.

I know what I saw, Jas. I grabbed his hand. Promise you’ll be careful.

Amy, nobody—

"Please, Jas." I pleaded.

Fine. I promise. But he still thought I was overreacting.

Suddenly, someone grabbed me from behind, pulling me backwards. With my knife just out of reach, I fought desperately, scratching and kicking, but the grip around my waist remained firm.

Amy! Jas roared, reaching for me, but I fell backwards and he disappeared, engulfed by the same static from my Nightmare. I flailed, choking on the horribly familiar acrid smell, unable to see and struggling against the hard arms around my waist.

Suddenly there were more arms, ripping off my attacker. A gentler grip pulled me away and I saw a distant pinprick of light growing into the size of a full-length mirror. We burst through and I collapsed on the floor, gasping for breath.

Are you her? A voice asked.

I looked up to see about ten people staring at me as a voice from behind me replied, She is.

Whirling around, I drew my knife, and saw two piercing blue eyes looking out at me from beneath a crop of dark brown hair.

I took a deep breath to steady myself and fixed him with a cold glare. I don’t know who you are or what you’re talking about, but you had better tell me where I am and what the hell I’m doing here.

Chapter 3

The boy ignored me and turned to the girl standing next to him.

Areli, explain please. And then he left the room.

The girl, Areli, jerked her head towards a door and walked out. I glanced warily at the other people in the room and then followed her through the door into a corridor. I put my knife away, but left my hand resting on the hilt. She closed the door behind us and turned back to me, an apologetic expression on her delicate face.

I’m sorry you got dumped in like that. We were hoping to ease you into it, but there was a change of plans.

I stared at her.

I am Areli, by the way, and the one you met was Samuel, our leader. She held out her hand for me to shake, but I ignored it.

Where the hell am I? I demanded, starting to get a little irritated on top of being freaked out.

Areli glanced at the ground. "What you should be asking is when the hell are you."

"What is that supposed to mean?" I gripped the hilt of my knife tighter.

She sighed. In your future, my past, scientists found a way to make time travel possible. They discovered this energy field—we call it the tides—and it exists just beyond human perception. It connects different points in space and time and the scientists figured out a way to access and channel it. They created a device called Gaxid that allows people to enter and travel through the tides into different parts of space and time.

Are you saying I’m in the future? I asked, surprised that I sort of believed her.

She nodded.

I took a deep breath, barely keeping my voice steady. "How far exactly into the future?"

Well, it is the year 2510 and—

You brought me 500 years into the future? I cried indignantly.

Well, we were going to ask you but—

But what? You decided you would rather kidnap me?

No, we decided we would save you.

"And ripping me out of my life saves me from what exactly?"

We were not the ones ripping you out of your life.

So what were you doing?

"We were simply watching you—scoping you out, as it were. Sari was the one who grabbed you off the streets and we managed to steal you from her in the tides."

"Okay, none of that made any sense. And why were you watching me exactly?"

Maybe we should sit down somewhere.

I folded my arms.

Okay, she said, One of the members of our group has the Sight.

They can see the future?

Sort of. Basically, she has had a lot of exposure to the tides and every once in a while, she can see glimpses of the future through holes in the tides.

So she’s got X-ray vision through the fabric of time? I asked skeptically.

In a way, yes. She had a vision a few days ago. It was somewhat unclear because she can only see glimpses of events, but she said that you are connected in some way to Sari’s downfall and we decided to look into it.

Wait, who’s Sari?

She took over a couple years ago. She overthrew and imprisoned the former rulers, banned Gaxid travel, closed the borders, imposed harsh taxes and anyone who opposes her is sent to work in the forced labor camps.

I threw up my hands. So what am I supposed to do about that? It sucks that you have to deal with it, but I shouldn’t have to. By all rights I should be dead, not leading some miserable army.

"Like I said, we do not know what your role will be. All we know is that you need to be here."

I laughed incredulously. "My mistake. I didn’t realize you needed me. I’ll just put my entire life on hold while you try to figure out what you need me for."

You do not have to be like that.

"Well what do you expect? You wrenched me from my life because some girl had a dream about me!"

It was more of a vision.

"Same difference. You spied on me, kidnapped me and now you want me to fix all of your problems?"

It is not like that.

"Then what is it like?"

Areli spoke in a low tone. There are thirteen people in there whose lives have been completely destroyed by Sari and her meddling. Samuel is doing everything he can to protect them and if that means disrupting your life for a while because you are the only one who can help us, then that is what he will do.

So you’re saying Samuel will do whatever it takes to get what he wants—even if it means ruining other people’s lives?

I would not word it quite like that . . .

But that’s the basic idea, right?

I guess. Areli said, looking uncomfortable.

So why is he any different from Sari? I asked and turned around. Not knowing what else to do, I stormed back into the room I had started in. There were several chairs and couches arranged in a rough semicircle around a table and they were filled with people who all stopped talking and looked up at me when I walked in. One of the girls stood up and walked over to me.

You’re the new girl, right? She smiled.

One of the boys laughed. Well, who else would she be, Andy?

The girl ignored him. I’m Miranda and that idiot over there is Fen. The boy smirked as Miranda continued. "The two twins over there are David and Ted. Don’t ask me which is which because I have no idea. The red head is Tion, the blonde next to her is Sor, and the little six-year-old is their daughter Clane. The gorgeous one next to them is my man, Vince, and then going clockwise we’ve got Xandra, Caroline, Isabella, Aster, and Joel. And of course, you’ve already met Areli and Samuel.

I grimaced. Unfortunately, I have.

Miranda laughed. They’re a little intense at first, but they mean well. I don’t think any of us would be here without them.

We stood there in silence for a moment and I desperately tried to remember names. The girl looked at me.

Why don’t you sit down?

I hesitated. Well . . .

Great! She exclaimed and pulled me to an empty chair, pushing me into it and then going back to where she had been sitting with Vince.

So, new girl. Fen smirked at me. What’s your story?

First of all, I said, fighting unsuccessfully to keep my voice even. "My name is Amy and second of all, I’m not in the habit of sharing my life story with kidnappers."

Well that’s a relief. Vince said. I wouldn’t want a member of the group to spill secrets to anyone and everyone.

And since we’re not kidnappers . . . One of the twins chimed in.

 . . . you should have no problem telling us your story! The other twin finished.

They glared at me. "Spill."

No. I snapped, annoyed. My name is Amy Dove and that’s all you’re ever going to get out of me.

Lighten up. It’s not as bad as all that. One of the guys, I thought it was Joel, said. It’s not every day you get to see the future.

I glared at him. And it’s not every day you’re snatched out of your life.

Actually, One of the girls spoke up. Around here it is.

Not where I come from. I shot back.

Yes, but you’re not in your time anymore. Another girl snapped. You’re in ours.

Isabella, be nice. Miranda admonished.

She’s not being nice to us. Isabella retorted.

I ignored her.

Suddenly the lights flickered and went out, plunging the room into darkness.

I heard the door open behind us.

Lockdown. Areli’s voice said softly as she sat down next to me. My eyes began to adjust to the darkness.

What’s going on? I asked.

We get our power from our own generator, Areli whispered, but we’re under a government hospital and every once in a while Sari shuts their power off to remind them who’s in charge. We do not want anyone to know we are down here, so we have the generator set up so it shuts off whenever the hospital’s power does so we do not attract attention.

She shuts off power to the hospital? I asked. Doesn’t that mean people on life support die?

Areli sighed, her voice grim. Yes, it does.

I felt her stand up beside me, and her voice filled the room.

Roll call. Samuel and Aster?

Here. They both responded.

Tion, Sor, and Clane.

All here.

David and Ted.

Don’t you mean Ted and David? One of them asked.

Here. The other responded emotionlessly.

Isabella, Caroline, and Joel.

Here.

Miranda and Vince.

Here.

Xandra.

Present!

Fen.

Here.

Amy.

Against my will. I sighed.

Good. Now, you know the drill. Everyone take care of your tasks and come straight back. I will stay here with Amy. Go!

Everyone stood up and felt their way towards the various doors as I sat there, wishing I could be anywhere else.

So what are they doing? I asked, bored.

Getting various supplies: flashlights, food, weapons, medical supplies and other essentials. Xandra, our mechanic, is checking the generator and grabbing some Gaxid, and Samuel—

Is still here. He interjected.

We sat in silence until the rest of the group returned. They stacked the supplies in designated parts of the room and hung a lantern from a hook in the ceiling, creating shadows around the chairs and couches, and giving the room an eerie look. Miranda passed around a plate of solid bars and everyone grabbed one and started gnawing away.

I leaned towards Areli after I grabbed one. What is this?

It is a Perk bar. She said as she started eating.

A what? I asked, thinking it sounded like a drug.

It has protein, vitamins, carbohydrates, and some basic immuno-boosters. You could probably survive on these for years.

So, it’s like an energy bar on steroids?

Areli gave me a slightly confused look.

Sorry. I said. 21st century lingo. I quickly took a bite so I wouldn’t have to explain. I chewed for a moment and then stopped. This is disgusting. It tastes like cardboard.

What is cardboard?

Never mind that. This is disgusting, I repeated. How do you eat this?

She waved her hand dismissively. You get used to it.

I stared at the bar. I seriously doubt that. I had eaten some pretty nasty stuff in my foster home days, but this outdid everything.

I sat staring at it for a couple more minutes and then, bracing myself, I closed my eyes and took a bite, shuddering. I chewed as quickly as I could and forced myself to swallow, fighting the urge to gag. I finished the bar and hated every minute of it, but I was hungry and unsure of when I would be able to eat next.

So, I looked around. Is this how you overthrow a tyrant? By hiding out in the dark in a hospital’s basement eating fake food and taking roll like you’re in first grade? Hell, you’re a bunch of teenagers! How do you expect to make a difference? If this Sari is as powerful as you say, you’ll never be strong enough to take her on and even if you are, no one will ever take you seriously. I mean, who are you kidding? Samuel walked over to me and grabbed my arm, dragging me out of the room. It’s never going to work! I yelled as Samuel shut the door.

I wrenched my arm free, unable to see in the pitch black of the hallway.

Would you let go of me?

I could feel him staring at me and I stared back.

After a while, I sighed. Did you need something, Samuel?

You are making this more difficult than it has to be. He said.

"I’m making this difficult? You kidnapped me in front of my boyfriend and dragged me into the future because some girl had a dream about me saving you and now you want me to just forget about it and do what you want?"

First of all, he said calmly, "We did not kidnap you in front of your boyfriend—Sari did—and second of all, Clane is not just some girl—"

Wait. I cut him off. "Clane, like six-year-old Clane? You kidnapped me because a six-year-old told you to?"

Clane is very mature on account of having the Sight.

You’re crazy. I said, backing away. I can’t stay here. You have to take me back."

I am afraid I cannot do that.

Why not? I cried, frustrated.

Because I am their leader. He said and I detected a small sliver of emotion in his voice. They depend on me to protect them and keep them safe. I do not know why the tides picked you and I do not know how you are supposed to help us, but if bringing you here gives us a shot at taking down Sari, I would do it again in an instant. I am sorry for inconveniencing you—

"Inconveniencing me?" I cried incredulously.

—but they are my first priority, and I will do everything in my power to keep them safe.

"But they are not my problem!"

They are now. He said.

But I don’t want them.

You do not have to want them. You have no choice in this.

"Because you brought me here."

Do you think I like this any better than you do? His voice was soft and still calm. I do not like having you here anymore than you do.

I started to protest, but he cut me off.

You do not want to be here and you have made that very clear, but they do not have a choice. They have nowhere else to go and taking out your anger on them will only make things worse. If you have a problem with me, talk to me about it. You do not need to be yelling at Miranda or Areli or any of the others, understand?

Yeah, whatever, but why me? How am I supposed to help you?

He sighed. The Sight is a tricky thing. It does not give us a complete outline of everything. Clane only knows you will have something to do with ending Sari’s reign.

But what if she’s wrong?

Clane is very reliable . . .

Has she ever been wrong before?

Yes. He said reluctantly, But she is very confident about this.

If she’s wrong, what is the worst case scenario?

We fail, everyone dies and Sari figures out a way to live forever. He said grimly.

"Everyone dies? You’re asking me to sacrifice my life for your cause now?"

I am just answering your question.

I don’t want to die. I have a life and a boyfriend and—

Then you had better hope Clane is right about you.

I glared at him. This isn’t funny! You can’t keep me here!

Who is going to stop me? His calm tone made me want to scream.

Well I don’t have to help you. I said.

That is true, He said. However, if you refuse to help us, we will not train you and you will still be expected to go on the missions untrained so if you want to live to see your boyfriend again, I would suggest cooperating.

I hate you.

That is fine with me. It is not my job to be likeable.

Congratulations. You’re succeeding. I folded my arms and stared into the blackness of the hallway.

After a moment, he spoke. Are you finished?

"Finished with you? Oh hell no! You’re not getting off that easily. I’ll be nice to the others as long as they don’t piss me off, but don’t expect me to be even remotely civil to you. I’ll help you with your stupid plan but as soon as it’s over—the minute it’s over—you are taking me back to my life."

Of course. And at that moment the lights came back on and I saw him nod. I will have Areli give you a tour of the facility.

As long as I don’t have to talk to you. I muttered so only he could hear as we re-entered the room. Everyone looked at me warily. Samuel coughed softly, prompting me.

I’m sorry about that. I said. I don’t know what came over me. It’s been kind of a long day and— I frantically made up a reason for my outburst, and I’m afraid of the dark and everything was getting claustrophobic. Sorry.

That’s okay. One of the twins said. You have to have at least one good outburst before you’re accepted as one of the group.

Samuel nodded slightly and walked towards Areli.

Give her a tour.

Areli nodded and looked at me.

Come on.

I followed her down a hallway.

The room we were in is the common room. Areli explained. It’s used for strategizing, group meetings, and eating. We entered a large gymnasium-like room. And this is the training room. We store weapons in that closet, she pointed, and behind that curtain are a few single combat areas. We usually train in here for four or five hours a day. You will become very familiar with this room. She grinned at me.

"What do you do for five hours in here?" I asked incredulously.

Weapons handling, single combat, uneven combat, stealth and the like.

Uneven combat?

It is where one team outnumbers the other. It is a more realistic situation.

That’s intense. I smiled. You guys are like assassins or something.

Well, Areli sighed. "That is the idea."

My smile disappeared and Areli continued, Then down this hallway on the left is the med room. There is a basic supply of drugs and bandages as well as a store of supplies that only Isabella is allowed to use for more dire circumstances. She is our medic. Areli explained and I stared.

You trust Isabella with your injuries? What happens if you make her mad and then get hurt?

Areli smiled, Isabella may seem ornery, but if you are on the operating table, she will take care of you. Just make sure you clear out as soon as she is done. I laughed nervously and we continued down the hallway as it began curving to the right.

This is where the guys sleep and over here . . . We walked farther down the hallway, is where you will be sleeping. She opened a door and we entered a circular room filled with a half a dozen beds.

This is the female dormitory. Tion and Sor have their own room, of course, with Clane, but this is where the rest of us sleep.

Areli gestured to the backpack I still carried. You can put that on your bed.

I glanced around at the decorated walls above each bed and my eyes landed on the blank emptiness above the final bunk.

I assume that the bed that’s not decorated is mine? I asked.

Areli nodded.

I walked over, dumped my bag on the bed and then turned back to Areli. Did you just randomly have an extra bed for me?

Areli’s eyes looked tired as she answered, That bed belonged to a girl named Monique.

What happened to her?

She killed herself a couple months ago.

Why? What had I gotten myself into?

Areli shrugged. No one knows. Her whole family was killed in one of the work camps and she was never the same after that. I think the depression of losing her family, combined with the stress of always being on guard and the non-stop training was just too much for her. Samuel can be a little harsh sometimes and Monique was unstable to begin with. Areli paused. She is still in the front of quite a few people’s minds, so it is probably not a good idea to mention her name.

I nodded. I understand.

Areli rubbed her hands together. Well, on with the tour?

We left the room and continued down to the door at the end of the hallway. Areli opened it and I found myself back in the common room. I looked around.

Did we just go in a circle?

Areli nodded. The hallway curves around and makes a loop, so you can get to all those rooms through either of these doors. She pointed to a third door. That door leads to the kitchen. And that ends the tour.

I nodded. So what’s next? An initiation ceremony where I have to juggle knives or walk on hot coals or something?

Areli smiled. No, next we have dinner.

Oh. I frowned. That’s a bit anticlimactic. I paused. Unless . . . we don’t have to eat the disgusting fake food again, do we?

Areli shook her head. No. There will probably be fruit and some sort of main dish. It is usually pretty hard to get regular food around here, but Samuel and I grabbed some groceries and brought them back while we were watching you, so we will actually have some fresh food tonight.

Miranda walked out of the kitchen with a dish and set it on the center table. Dinner’s ready! She called.

Everyone gathered around the table and grabbed a plate.

Tion gasped. "Is this real chicken?" She exclaimed.

Miranda nodded as she brought out another dish. And fresh vegetables.

Caroline stood by the dishes and inhaled. This smells so amazing, Andy!

Eventually everyone got their food and sat down. I ended up between Areli and Isabella and sat quietly eating my food and absorbing the conversations around me. I smiled and laughed with them but every once in a while. I would catch Samuel’s gaze for a moment to remind him that I had absolutely no intention of making this easy for him.

Once dinner was over, everyone helped to clean up and then sat on the couches, talking some more. I sat and observed, trying to get a sense of who everyone was. Miranda curled up on one of the couches, leaning into Vince, and Tion and Sor were squeezed into an easy chair. I watched Samuel as everyone talked and laughed and noticed that he seemed to stay detached from the group, even as he sat with them. His emotions stayed hidden behind a tight mask and the rest of the group seemed to recognize this, adopting a more formal tone with him.

As I watched, I also began to notice Clane. She wandered around the room, seemingly in her own world. Everyone smiled and talked to her, but I could tell they were all slightly wary of her at the same time.

So, new girl. One of the twins interrupted my musings. "Have you come up with a plan to overthrow her majesty yet?" He grinned and looked at me expectantly.

No, and I don’t plan to. I said icily.

There was a moment of silence that stretched on for several long seconds and then Miranda stood up abruptly.

Okay, who wants dessert?

There was a clatter as everyone jumped up to help and the conversations resumed, but after that, everyone left me alone.

Once everyone started trickling out of the common room, I followed Areli back to the girl’s dorm.

I walked over to my bed and pulled my toothbrush and toothpaste out of my backpack.

Miranda looked over from her bunk.

What’s that?

I stared at her. My toothbrush. Her face looked confused. You know, what you clean your teeth with.

Miranda laughed. You don’t have to do that. Just use this. She rummaged in a drawer by her bed and grabbed what looked like a small mouth guard and handed it to me. Just put it in your mouth for a couple seconds until it beeps: it kills all the harmful bacteria on your teeth.

I put it in my mouth until I felt a small vibration and heard a shrill beep. I took it out, looked at it for a while and then put it back in the drawer, trying not to think about how far away I was from anything familiar.

I opened one of the drawers under my bed so I could put my backpack into it, but it was already full of clothes. Areli noticed and mouthed the word ‘Monique.’ I nodded and opened the other drawer, relieved to find it empty.

I stowed my pack and climbed into the bed. After a while Isabella turned out the lights and I lay there, listening as breathing slowed and everyone drifted off to sleep. I tossed and turned for a while, wishing I could be back in my own time, even if I had to go back to living with Theresa and Paul. My mind eventually drifted to the dead girl, Monique. I wondered what she had looked like and what she would think of me taking her place. She had killed herself a couple months before, but no one had even cleaned out her clothes drawers and now I was lying in her bed and wondering what in the world I had gotten myself into.

Chapter 4

The next morning, Areli woke me from The Nightmare.

Amy.

My eyes flew open as I escaped yet again from the dream-dagger.

What? I said, panicked.

It is your first day of training and I thought you might want to eat breakfast first. There should be a training outfit in Monique’s drawer.

Oh. I said. Right. I got up and opened the drawer to find a close-fitting outfit made of thin flexible material. I quickly slipped it on and followed Areli to the common room. I snagged an apple left over from dinner the night before and, remembering Areli saying training lasted five hours, reluctantly ate half a Perk bar.

Eventually, the rest of the group wandered in, the boys displaying varying states of bed head. Most simply grabbed a bar or a piece of fruit and then left again.

Once I forced the last lump of Perk bar down my throat, I followed Areli to the training room.

As we entered the room, I noticed that Samuel and the twins—I decided to call them Thing One and Thing Two—were already going at it in the far corner and Isabella was destroying a punching bag on the other side of the room. I looked at Areli uncertainly and she pulled me to a nearby mat.

We will start with the basics, okay? I want to see what you already know.

I nodded and I sunk down into a fighting stance. Suddenly, she threw herself at me and, despite her petite figure, I felt like I had been hit by a 300-pound linebacker. I staggered backwards and quickly regained my balance as she came at me again. She launched a kick at my head and I ducked. As her foot went over my head, I grabbed it and tried to push her off balance, but she managed to spin and kick me with her other foot, knocking me to the ground. I quickly got back up and charged but she grabbed my wrist and pulled my arm behind my back.

I slumped, defeated, and when she started to relax, I jerked my head back and smashed it into her face. Her grip loosened and I pulled my arms free and turned to face her again. We circled each other for a moment and then she came at me again. I blocked her first blow with my arm, spun out of the way of her second and found myself at the edge of the mat.

I thought quickly and when she came at me again, I pulled her arm towards me and used her as leverage to swing myself around to the other side of her. We circled each other for several more minutes, testing out the other’s weaknesses until Areli managed to flip around me and I found myself in a headlock. I stomped on her toes and tried every trick I could think of, but her grip remained as firm as ever and I started to feel a little lightheaded.

Okay. I grunted. You win.

She released me and I silently rejoiced in the feel of fresh air before looking around and realizing several of the others had been watching us. I glared at them and they quickly moved off to different parts of the room.

Areli nodded at me and then opened a closet.

Now let’s see how well you do with weapons.

An hour later, Areli had discovered what I already knew; I was most dangerous with a knife in my hand. She had me try swords, rapiers, guns, axes, and even a bow and arrow, but I was most comfortable with the knives. I didn’t know why knives were easier than guns—how hard could it be to point and shoot—but there was something about a gun that seemed so easy and cheap. With a knife, at least you had to work to kill someone.

Areli turned to me. "Go take a break and come back in fifteen minutes. Aster and I need