Not my world - Xaden Riorson reader

Onyx Eyes

"Tough to live up to that," the woman ahead of us says from just inside the tower.

"It is," Violet agrees, gripping the straps of her rucksack and heading into the darkness. I follow even though every part of my being tells me to run anywhere but here.

My eyes adjust quickly to the dim light coming in through the equidistant windows along the curved staircase.

"Sorrengail as in...?" the woman asks, looking over her shoulder as we begin to climb the hundreds of stairs that lead to our possible deaths.

"Yep." There's no railing, so I keep my hand on the stone wall as we rise higher and higher.

"The general?" the blond guy ahead of us asks.

"The same one," I answer for Violet, offering her a quick smile. Violet seemed happy that I answered for her.

I remember reading she's not thrilled with her mom. I can't argue with that.

"Wow. Nice leathers, too." He smiles to Violet

"Thanks. They're courtesy of my sister." She responds, keeping her hand firmly on the stone wall like me.

"Wow, that's some vest you've got. You look like a badass before we've met the dragons," he said, looking my way.

"Oh ya, it's a family thing," I say while trying to ensure I don't fall. Because I can't show weakness to the psycho I know is somewhere behind me.

"I wonder how many candidates have fallen off the edge of the steps and died before they even reach the parapet," the woman says, glancing down the center of the staircase as we climb higher.

"Two last year." Violet tilts her head when she glances back. "Well, three if you count the girl one of the guys landed on," I responded before Violet could get the words out. She looks at me, a little stunned, but smiles. She must think I read like her that I wanted to be a scribe or something. But no, I have read her life and just have a good memory.

The woman's brown eyes flare, but she turns back around and keeps climbing. "How many steps are there?" she asks.

"Two hundred and fifty," Violet and I answered simultaneously. Once again, she catches my eyes as if she's trying to figure me out by looking into my head. We climb in silence for another five minutes.

"Not too bad," she says with a bright smile as we near the top, and the line comes to a halt.

"I'm Rhiannon Matthias, by the way." But I already knew that

"Dylan," the blond guy responds with an enthusiastic wave. I try not to look at him too closely, knowing what fate he will meet at the parapet

"Violet." She gives them a tense smile, blatantly ignoring Mira's earlier suggestion that she avoid friendships and only forge alliances.

"Y/n," I can't help but genuinely smile for a second as this is the most terrifying moment I've lived. It's unbelievably cool. There isn't anything magical on earth, but I am meeting a future lightning wielder and becoming her friend.

"I feel like I've been waiting my entire life for this day." Dylan shifts his pack on his back.

"Can you believe we actually get to do this? It's a dream come true."

Right. Naturally, every other candidate is excited to be here. I know Violet isn't, but I feel like I'm being pulled limb from limb —my fear versus living a fantasy.

"I can't fucking wait." Rhiannon's smile widens. "I mean, who wouldn't want to ride a dragon?"

You had to think about that for a second. 'Would you want to ride a dragon?' The short answer is yes. Of course, I would love to feel what it's like above the clouds, to be in a world where it's just me and my dragon that matters. But then, a pit in my stomach forms. Even if I make it to the threshing, I'm sure that a dragon will know I don't belong and torch me in an instant. 'Well at least I'll be good for the grass' I think.