Blood and Gold

Feathers and Steel

The year after my father died was a long one. When I woke up, I was attached to an IV and in a hospital bed. I felt different, as if something in me was slowly starting to change. A few days later, my hair was buzzed, I was given new clothes and a weapon. I hid my father's broken bracer as well as my mother's ring in the small trunk I was given in our sleeping quarters.

I was put on a strict schedule, wake up; 05:00 shower; 05:15, eat; 05:30, training; 06:00, classes; 07:30, eat; 11:35, classes; 12:30, study time14:00, eat; 17:00, training; 18:00 downtime; 20:00, lights out; 22:00.

It was awful at first, training twice a day, getting up before sunrise, but over time, I learned to love the consistency. I was grouped with the boys, none of them seemed to notice, I was sent to medical often, once every week, usually Friday night during downtime, for some sort of shot. Most here kept to themselves, they hung out with certain people, but rarely ever did they pick fights. Everyone seemed to be here for a reason, knew what all of this was, everyone except for me.

I ate next to a boy called Rook, and another named Griffin. Across the table Kieran usually sat next to the two girls that ate at our table, Lilith and Sable. I talked to Rook the most, his bed was next to mine. He the same height as me on the dot, his hair was black, and he had these steely grey eyes that no one could ever seem to meet. He only had one scar on his face, on his left cheek.

Sable really liked me, I never understood why. I barely talked to her, but once my hair got long enough she put small gold beads in my hair before tying half of it back. She would often read with me, though, I don't think she ever did much reading. She was nice, but I was too focused to be distracted by a pretty girl that looked at me more than the others.

The man that found me rarely spoke to me. His name was Dorian, and despite his scary eyes and angry sounding voice, he was always gentle with me. I didn't understand why, but I felt like I could've gone to him with anything.

"Dorian."

"Yes, Theron?" He spoke flatly, and didn't look up from the map he was studying.

"I think Claudia is out there somewhere." I stood with my hands behind my back, "I have to find her."

"Why? She was what, three years old when she was taken? She would have no idea who you are." He sighed, looking up at me with angry-looking eyes. "Besides, you're nowhere near ready for the kind of work that finding her would take."

"You don't get it, I have to find her."

He slammed his hands on the table while shouting, "No! You don't get it. The people that killed your father were a part of The Fang, an organization ran by only the gods know. We have been working for years to find out who The Fang is. All we know is code names; Jackal, Snake, Gargoyle, Lizard, Bear, Fox, Boar, Badger. The list goes on."

"Is it a primary concern to the circle? I mean none of you seem to actually care about The Fang." I watched him shake his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Or is it some side mission to you?"

"You have some nerve talking to me like that." He said locking eyes with me. "You really think you're ready for that?"

I stepped forward, tilting my head and looking up at him. "I know I am."

"Then come with me." I followed him out of his tent, through the forest, across two streams, to a camp of some sort, similar to ours, but less hidden and sloppily built. "Watch me."

I studied as he snuck through the long grass and bushes. There was one guard posted in the entrance, Dorian threw a pebble out of the bush, grabbing his attention. The guard started walking through the brush, searching for him. Dorian jumped out, grabbing his mouth and forcing him to the ground. He poked his head out and motioned for me to quietly make my way over to him. I crouched, sneaking the same way he did.