The Black Wings

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

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Daylight starts to break through our tree in the early morning. I don't have to leave for a few more minutes.

I yawn and snuggle my head next to Lana's. She turns her's to face mine.

"Awake this early?" I ask cautiously.

"You snore, it's too quiet when you stop." She answers with her eyes still closed.

"Sorry." I apologize embarrassingly, my ears turning red.

Lana wraps her arms around me in a cuddle and yawns. "As long as I'm laying next to you, I don't mind."

"That is so cliché." I grin while kissing her forehead.

"It's fucking morning, be glad that I'm being romantic and not on a murderous rampage."

I laugh while throwing the back of my head over the nest. "Please never change Lana."

She smiles up at my comment and puts her head on my bare chest right under my chin. She picks at the stubble of hair forming on it.

We don't talk much and that's perfectly fine. I just want to have this moment. It doesn't have to be anymore than this. The chaos doesn't matter when we're like this together.

And I don't want to leave it but I simply don't have a choice.

"I better get going, I suppose I can't be late this this important army full of fierce warriors." I tell her sarcastically while kissing her.

"Just don't do anything stupid." Lana smirks while I leave her warm and longing embrace from our nest.

"So don't do anything I would normally do?" I question falsely while changing into a long sleeve shirt.

"You're going to get arrested your first day."

"Want to bet on that?"

"No thank you. I'm going back to bed don't get kicked out sweetie." Lana cheers for me while enthusiastically throwing a pillow over her head.

I roll my eyes to her before hopping down on the soft ground.

Typical Lana.

I head over through the tunnels, past the headquarters to the army training camp. The walk is far and I don't feel any guilt with my throwing knife hidden in my waistband.

I don't plan on whipping it out but if another attack happens, looks like I'm getting detained.

Sorry Hern.

My steps pick up in anticipation and I end up jogging through every twist and turn.

The sounds of loud talking fill the air and as I walk closer, the voices and words become more understandable.

My shoulders tense as I walk into the camp. Men and women stand everywhere, some in basic fatigues, others are like me in ordinary clothing. Targets reach the edge of my line of sight.

Everyone begins to form a semicircle around a tiny stage and I join them.

As I get closer, I notice the people wearing fatigues, have black earrings.

Hern steps up on the stage with a few other people I barely recognize. The mummers from the crowd range from anxious to chatter from the attack yesterday.

Some glances land on me but I ignore it as best as I can and focus as Hern prepares to talk.

"Men and women. Welcome to training. For some of you this is your first day and we thank you for your bravery. Others, welcome back. You'll all be given fatigues to change into. If you pass through, maybe one day you'll be wearing a uniform." He speaks while giving eye-contact to almost everyone.