Shift

Tension

I stay mostly in the shadows, watching as people flood into the arena. Some of the children have calmed down enough to find their parents and get a loving scold. Across the arena, the orphanage children fill in a large space. I've spent a lot of time with them, and a few are looking for me in the crowd. Chatter and laughter swim together in a storm of anticipation.

"It's exhilarating, isn't it?"

I jump, swearing lighting under my breath. "Lionel," I scold, breath slightly hitching. "You should quit that, you know."

He grins at me, those odd eyes twinkling with that ever knowing mischief. "It's good to keep you on your toes. Especially tonight. You know what you're up against."

I take a deep breath and recite the lecture from memory. "Five Testers will all try to take me down, all Marked. They'll attack with deadly force, and I'm expected to return that. If I'm lucky, I pass with all of my limbs intact and some minor cuts and bruises. Afterwards, anyone who is a full member can stand to be my Full Mentor. I'd study under them during Apprenticeship, then become a Full Member myself," I say. "Even if I live past tonight, there's a lot of road to cover."

He waves his hand, nearly catching the pony tail of a young girl as she bounds away to join her family. "You know what I mean."

I give him a small nod. No matter how hard we've tried, there's still discrimination within the Rebellion. Our leader has taken an interest in me already. There are some people that don't take kindly to that, but can't do anything to me because of Verin. I pass tonight and that protection goes away. "I'll figure it out. I always have."

"Good. 'Cause I wanted to tell you something. He is here. And there's a rumor going around he might stand to be your Full Mentor."

I open my mouth to reply, but I'm cut off by a ringing bell. Suddenly, the excitement grew. Higher ranking officials file in one by one, and several cheers fill the air. Trailing behind them is Verin, whose mentorship of me gained her an honored spot in the seats. Her head is high, but I've never seen her so pale.

"I'll see you later!" Lionel calls over his shoulder as he runs off to join the crowd.

I take a deep breath and close my eyes. Five minutes. The hunger in my stomach is a driving pain, distractimg when I least need it. On the backs of my eyelids play everything I've learned on the street and in the last three months. Every kick, every maneuver, every skill. This is a fight that can easily end in death, and I want to make sure that I'll be alive tomorrow. If I can help it, everyone will be alive tomorrow.

I open my eyes just in time to see Verin stand. An immediate silence cuts through the crowd. Tension as thick as stone covers the arena.

"Tonight is the Initiation of Kella Blackwood," Verin's words settle into the crowd. "She was brought into this organization three months ago, and trained under me for that duration. Now it is time for her training to be tested." A deep breath. "Kella, please enter the arena and be seen."

I walk in carefully. I know I that failure isn't an option. Especially not here, when my life is on the line. Where my future hangs in the balance.

"I am seen," I reply to the dead air.

She nods in recognition. "Testers, take your places."

Five people emerge from the shadows. Each is dressed completely in black, scarves covering their faces to hide their identity. Two look like they are female, but I can't be completely sure. Testers are always given measures to protect their identity. Revenge is a lot harder if you don't know who killed who.

The black-clad figures surround me in a loose circle. Adrenaline starts to flood my veins. Metal glints in the light, the telltale sign of weapons. I steady my nerves. Now isn't the time to be unsteady. Now is the time to rise.

I access the power that I supressed within me. It rages in me, as fierce as the strongest of fires. Every part of my body tingles, welcoming it. I've had my Mark since I was nine, but these last three months have brought a nee level to my strength. It's like being reborn.

I can see better, hear better, and think better. Everything becomes sharper. My muscles itch to move. And I know what kind of things I could do like this. My Mark is a reminder and a gift, a curse and a blessing. I intend to use it as both.

"Begin."

At the sound of Verin's voice, the Testers charge.