The Mayaware's reign must end.
In a world of demonic beings with a hunger for human flesh and thirst for blood, Hesi Renen knows it well. When her siblings are taken to the harvesting farms, she must do everything she can to get them out, even if it...
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Hesi raised her arms to protect her face. "Pretend I'm a Mayaware," she said. "Where would you hit?"
"From the side," Tagara answered. Her mouth settled in a thin line, her eyes running down Hesi's frame. Out of all the brides, Tagara was the quickest study in close combat. It was as though, like Hesi, she was born for it.
"Correct," Hesi said. She bobbed her head. "But where exactly?"
"Between the frills and the cheek."
Hesi narrowed her eyes. "Do it."
A blur of amber sped in her periphery. She raised an arm and blocked a significant punch. Pain shot up her wrist, but it didn't break. Thankfully. A rustle, and another whoosh of wind shot towards her. A leg? She gritted her teeth, pivoting her wrist around Tagara's arm. A knee would have slammed into her gut. With a grunt, Hesi tightened her grip on both limbs and swung Tagara down, pinning her to the floor.
"I didn't tell you about the kick." Hesi grinned as she edged off Tagara and offered the bride a hand. Tagara took it. "Are you watching, Isueri?"
Behind them, the brides whom Hesi paired together practiced basic maneuvers she taught them. They were the least these women have to master when facing off with a demon. And as she discovered, none of them save for Hesi had a physical encounter with a Mayaware, much less fought one and lived.
"I should learn as much as I can." Tagara rolled her shoulders. She cracked her joints, sighing in relief. Sweat glistened on her neck and dotted her hairline. Unlike when they attended Yobekh's lectures, everyone was back to desert attire—much to the chagrin of their maids—and went at it after the midday meal.
They were eager when Hesi brought the topic of their next trial, and she offered to teach them experiential wisdom in dealing with an overgrown snake. She had them show their strongest punch, and from there, she determined which trajectory to approach each bride from.
As she taught Pai and Unsu for the briefest time they spared between foraging, traveling, and running for their lives, she honed her material to a fault. It wouldn't be difficult to coach others.
That was how they turned their communal room into a practice hall. They covered the windows with every yard of fabric they encountered. They didn't want to have a Mayaware maid walking in and discovering their activities. It would prompt a question that would betray them knowing the next trial. And when that line of inquiry popped up, fingers would point to Hesi.
It wasn't far-fetched. Hesi used them as much as they used her. And like her, they wouldn't hesitate ratting her out should she become their downfall. She knew, because she would do the same.
Hesi acknowledged Tagara's commitment. The bride took Festophis' affection for her as something to live by. Hesi learned to steer away from Tagara's competitive nature. Even though they agreed to help each other, it wouldn't shock Hesi to learn that Tagara secretly made sure the High Prince would choose her.
