Eliana woke up the next morning with aching muscles from her training with Cobra and completely tired from lack of sleep, but it somehow only made her feel better. It was a sign that she was finally taking her fate into her own hands, doing something about her situation instead of only crying and sinking into depression.
She got up and slipped into the standard grey sweatpants and a sports bra. All recruits received fresh clothes every morning, since they usually ended up soaked in sweat and blood by the end of the day. It was getting warmer, and Eliana only now realized how much time had already passed. She'd been kidnapped around March, and now the burning heat of early summer clung to the academy's halls.
It felt surreal that she didn't leave the academy since months now. Soon would be her birthday. Was her family still searching for her or did they already give up? Only thinking about it made her feel depressed and lost again so she quickly pushed that thought aside.
Just as she was about to head to fitness training with Damon, an announcement echoed through the academy's speakers.
"All recruits assemble in the main hall! All recruits assemble in the main hall! All recruits assemble in the main hall!"
Strange. Since her arrival, there hadn't been any large gatherings in the main hall. Something had to be happening.
As her door automatically unlocked, she stepped into the hallway and followed the flow of recruits. Someone suddenly fell into step beside her.
"What's up, princess?" Tristan said, smacking her on the back. She stumbled and nearly fell.
She glared at him. "Like always—just trying to survive," she muttered, clearly in no mood to deal with him.
"Hm, I heard something else. You got Cobra to train you? That's impressive." His grin was wide and cocky.
She had no idea how he knew about that, but he always seemed to know everything. Probably through his brother Theo or because he was so annoyingly charming. Everyone just spilled their secrets around him. That might come in handy someday—if she could figure out how to get something from him without giving anything in return.
"I don't really know why he agreed," she mumbled. "I was just sick of getting beaten up."
"Understandable. But hey, I warned you about Keith, so that's your own fault. If you're finally done with him, I'm offering myself as your new combat partner," he said, giving her a wink before striding off to charm another group of recruits.
His smile had the same shine as Theo's, but while Theo's was creepy, Tristan's was just cunning. She didn't trust either of them. She didn't know what Tristan really wanted from her, but for now, she'd stay with Keith—brutal as he was. At least Keith helped her with her notes for the theory classes.
In the main hall, all five mentors were already at the front. The recruits lined up silently, tension thick in the air. Isaak stepped forward. His mere presence commanded silence.
"Today we have an announcement," his deep voice rang out. "As you know, there will be a tournament at the end of the year. But before that, we have organized a preliminary training tournament, which will take place in one month. Your first opponent will be chosen at random. After that, winners will fight other winners, and losers will fight losers. Killing your opponent is allowed. If you die, it's proof you were too weak."
He paused to let the weight of his words sink in.
"During this tournament, the head of the academy—Lucifer—will be present. He will observe the new recruits. I suggest you give it everything you've got. Now you are dismissed, go back to your classes and training."
The recruits began to file out. Eliana's heart pounded in her chest. A tournament and she only had one month till then.
She still couldn't fight. She looked toward Cobra, silently pleading for some kind of reassurance, but he didn't even glance her way. Could he train her well enough in a month so she wouldn't die?
Suddenly, she was yanked into the air. A startled yelp escaped her as she found herself flung over a broad, shirtless shoulder covered in tattoos.
"Time for fitness training, bitch," Damon growled, carrying her toward the gym. He didn't much interact with her anymore since the beginning for which she was grateful since this guy was clearly wrong in the head.
"What the hell?! Put me down! What are you doing?" she shrieked, her voice high-pitched as the blood rushed to her head.
"The others now think you could be the one to do it. Even Cobra's on your side—and with him, Isaak too, since he's always up Cobra's ass. Dane's lost his mind over you since day one. And Theo... well, Theo wants you to succeed for his own twisted reasons. So now, I'm giving you a chance."
His voice was low, muttering more to himself than to her. Eliana had no idea what he was talking about. His words didn't make any sense to her but they felt important and not like the rambling of a crazy man.
"What do you mean? What do the other mentors have to do with it? Do what?" she asked, completely confused.
He ignored her and carried her the rest of the way to the gym before dropping her unceremoniously onto the floor.
"We're starting a new fitness plan for you," he said, eyes gleaming with manic energy.
Something about his expression was deeply unsettling—more unhinged than usual, and that said a lot. Damon always had a dangerous air about him.
"You'll be a good girl and follow my instructions. I hope you're not a waste of my time, or I'll slit your throat myself."
Eliana stared at him. Was this help? Motivation? Or just a new form of torment disguised as training? She couldn't tell. But whatever it was, she didn't know if she would survive it.