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DURING THE COURSE OF THE OUTER VALLEY RIDGE TRIALLEAH’S POVThe dark shadow surges across the ground like spilled ink, rising in thick, writhing tendrils that wrap around the four Class B wolves in a heartbeat."What is this?!" the Class B leader screams, his voice cracking with sudden, overwhelming terror as the black energy binds his arms, his legs, his throat. "Wait! Stop!"The shadows twist, tightening with a horrifying, bone-crushing force.Right before the dark pressure can crush their ribs to splinters, Regis turns his head toward me.He looks straight at me over his shoulder, a sly, wicked smile stretching across his handsome face as the dark magic flares around his hands.A sharp shiver runs down my spine, cold and thrilling all at once.Another loud beeping sound echoes. The digital wristbands flash yellow, and the four Class B wolves vanish into thin air, leaving their badges scattered across the dark stone floor.I look at the empty space where they were standing, my min
DURING THE COURSE OF THE OUTER VALLEY RIDGE TRIALLEAH’S POVI stand there, my hands frozen on my belt, my eyes wide as I stare at the empty spot where four living students were standing a second ago.How... how were they not dead? A blade cut through their bellies. If the magic took them away, how could a body survive being cut in half like that?A warm breath touches the side of my ear."Don't worry, little bird," a low, amused voice whispers right beside my neck.I flinch slightly, turning my head to find Regis standing dangerously close to me. He has stepped up behind me without making a single sound, his tall, lean frame leaning down so his mouth is inches from my cheek."They aren't dead yet," Regis whispers slyly, his dark eyes sparkling with a cruel, mocking delight. "Didn't they teach you in basic anatomy? A human brain stays alive for up to seven minutes after the body suffers a fatal blow.”“Right now, those four boys are probably floating inside the medical transport room,
DURING THE COURSE OF THE OUTER VALLEY RIDGE TRIALLEAH’S POVI turn my back on them and walk toward the stream, my chest tight.‘Let them talk,’ I tell myself, my inner voice cold and steady as I kneel by the rush of clear water. ‘Let them order me around. Let them act like I am nothing more than a servant girl catering to their whims.’I pull three small clay jars from my leather pouch. Inside the dark glazed clay sits the thick, pale amber resin of the silver-root, mixed carefully with the fine, fragrant dust of the red-leaf extract.I scoop cold river water into the metal cooking pot. Then, with steady, unhurried fingers, I drop three generous measures of the herbal blend directly into the water, watching it dissolve into a clear, completely odorless liquid.On its own, this mixture is harmless. In fact, it is beneficial. It speeds up blood circulation and sharpens the physical senses. When they drink it, their bodies will feel lighter, their instincts slightly faster. They will f
DURING THE COURSE OF THE OUTER VALLEY RIDGE TRIALLEAH’S POVThe damp smell of wet pine and old earth hits my face the exact second we step past the iron perimeter gate.Behind us, the heavy metal bars slide shut with a loud, ringing slam that echoes against the stone cliffs. Ahead of us, the Outer Valley Ridge spreads out into miles of misty green forest, jagged rock faces, and shadows.It looks nauseatingly intimidating. "Keep up, Bellmoore," Jakob mutters without looking back at me.His voice is flat and blunt. He doesn't slow his pace down even half an inch for my shorter strides. He adjusts the leather straps of his heavy chest piece, his broad shoulders easily breaking through the hanging branches as he marches straight into the brush."I am right behind you, Lord Greaves," I say quietly.I keep my steps light, my boots finding dry patches of soil between the tangled roots.To my left, Regis Nightshade lets out a long, theatrical sigh. He walks with his hands tucked casually in
LEAH’S POV DAY ONE OF THE OUTER VALLEY RIDGE TRIALThen he walked away, disappearing into the thick grey fog without looking back.The fear that hit those four Betas was instant. The dirty, predatory look in their eyes vanished, replaced by pale, rigid terror. They still hit me. They knocked me into the dirt and kicked my ribs until my vital watch triggered its warning alarm and an instructor dropped from the canopy of the trees to pull me out. But because of Nightshade's threat, they didn't go any further. They didn't dare.Back then, I didn't know what to make of it. He didn't save me. If he wanted to save me, he could have stopped them from hitting me at all. But he set a boundary in a place where nobody ever set boundaries for Leah Bellmoore.Only in this world will a so-called villainess be bullied as the normal standard. Though, back then, it was my everyday life.I muse over it now, a cold, dry feeling settling in my chest.I am not grateful to Regis Nightshade. Absolutely
LEAH’S POV DAY ONE OF THE OUTER VALLEY RIDGE TRIALThe cold wind coming off the northern mountains hits my face, carrying the sharp scent of wet dirt and pine needles.I love the smell.I am standing near the front of the staging area, tucked between the weird mix of my squad. Around us, hundreds of first-year students are lined up in neat, tight rows. The morning air is freezing, but no one is shifting or complaining. Everyone is staring straight ahead, up at the stone balcony that overlooks the main courtyard of Eclipse Academy.A man is standing at the edge of the railing.He wears high-collared, snow-white robes that trail behind him over the grey marble floor. His hair falls past his shoulders, tumbling all the way down to his waist in soft, heavy waves. It is as white as fresh snow, glowing softly under the pale morning sun.Dean Grayson. The Dean of the Academy. I stare at him, my brows furrowing slightly as his voice echoes across the crowded courtyard."The Outer Valley Ri







