I can't believe that the idiot's plan actually was working.

And now she was prancing around the place like the Queen.

Every day her following seemed to grow larger. They all were too inquisitive to stay away.

It had almost been six weeks now and just about the entire community had joined in.

Pacem had struck a deal with Jeremiah, bringing him in on the action so that he would stop pestering her. He'd become so persistent, and I was surprised that he hadn't just kicked her off the property.

He had every right to.

He might be a total ass, but he'd invested in this place, not her.

I think he knew there was no point. She would just find another way, like a zit that kept growing back.

The whole thing had ended up working in her favour because he had the people's trust and seeing their alliance gave her more credibility.

Isn't she just the luckiest person in the world?

The only benefit I was getting out of this was that I spent my entire day working with Jake. He was extremely closed off towards me, focussing on the job at hand most of the time, but a part of me still enjoyed his company.

Our setup reminded me very much of my own training. We worked in two sets, and people alternated between attack, which Jake coached and defence, which I monitored.

If I'd allowed myself to admit it, I might say I was having fun. It reminded me of the good old days.

Although, I didn't fully understand what Pacem was doing with her group of novices every day.

I had thought this 'connection with nature' stuff had been a load of bullshit.

She got a lion to follow her around.

So what?

Join a circus.

But according to Jake, it was 'groundbreaking stuff'. She was 'exploring what Karnoi had never explored before'.

He didn't speak about her often in front of me, but I could tell that he was always thinking about her every waking moment.

Sometimes I would catch him gazing up at the steps as if he had x-ray vision and could see into the woods where she was working. Sometimes it was as simple as someone mentioning her and him smiling.

Each time, the feeling hit me like a bullet.

It wasn't bitterness anymore; that had faded a long time ago.

Now it just... hurt.

I'd been so focussed on practice today that I'd forgotten to call it quits in time. I saw Pacem's group descending down the steps, followed by the terrible two.

"Practice is over for today!" I declared, throwing my current subject to the ground painfully.

Jake had already dismissed his class and I had been slacking.

Malvin was on me like a dog to a bone.

"Hello," he said.

I didn't respond.

I just starting packing the knives and weapons into my bag.

"I... I know that I might have frightened you with what I said in the room that night."

"You didn't 'frighten' me," I snapped.

"Wrong choice of words."

"Yeah. It was."

He frowned. "Why are you so rude to everyone, Veera? These people certainly didn't ask to be Karnoi."

"But they are."

"And so are you."

I boiled with anger.

"As if I don't know that already? Does everyone have to keep pointing it out?"

He giggled.

I thought I might wring his neck there and then.

"I'll point it out every day if it makes you stop avoiding the truth."

Pacem was talking to Jake, but she was looking at Malvin and I.

I could tell she didn't like seeing me with him almost as much as I didn't like her being associated with Jake.

She definately had some form of feelings for him- whatever they may be- and she was very possessive of the things that mattered to her.

I would have played up on that to make her jealous, but Malvin was just too annoying.

I shrugged. "Then I'll keep avoiding you."

"Go ahead," he smiled wickedly. "Try."

He hit me.

-A shot directly to the nose.

I think he'd expected me to dodge it because he had a surprised look on his face when I swung backwards and blood dripped out off my nose.

The bastard hadn't given me any indication it was coming.

Like I said: unpredictable.

I didn't hesitate though.

I hit him back right in the gut and he let out a moan. He blocked my next one but I just kneed him instead.

"You hit me!" I shouted.

"You can't avoid your problems." He tried to punch me again, but this time I saw it coming and grabbed his fist before it had the chance to do anything else.

"How dare you?"

"At least if you're fighting, you're doing something," he mumbled and I continued whacking him in all directions.

I'd never been so angry in my entire life. I did everything I could think of, punching, kicking, elbowing, I even bit him in the arm when he tried to throw a punch.

Before long, he was down on the ground, but Jake held me back on my third kick to the gut, cursing and calling me crazy.

"He's the crazy one!" I shouted. "He hit me first!"

Pacem was crouched down by Malvin, helping him up as he groaned in pain.

She was so superior, always so superior.

I was still struggling with Jake when she looked at me for the first time in weeks. I spat at the ground in front of her.

"Who do you think you are?" she growled, holding Malvin's weight on her shoulder.

"Me? You think you're so much better than me!" I jerked back hard enough to pull away from Jake and charge towards her.

Her eyes widened and when she realized just how serious I was, she attempted to flee.

I was stronger.
She had no chance.

At least that's what I thought until she picked up a tree branch on the floor and gutted me with it, mid-run.

Jake was there before I could respond.

He threw me backwards and my head hit the ground abruptly, leaving a headache behind.

"Veera you can hurt anyone here." His face was dead-serious. "Beat up Malvin. Hell- beat up me if it makes you feel better, but if you try to touch her again; I'll give you back to Alluna and she can send you back to the labs."

I swallowed.

Much like Malvin, I'd spent the last six years reliving my past and exploring my memories.

Sometimes I thought Alluna just made me put that helmet on to punish me. It made me resent myself so much.

Every day I was reminded of who I was.
I couldn't go back.

"Do you understand?" he said sternly.

I nodded and he released his hold.

"Good."

I did understand.

I would never stand a fighting chance against Pacem.

Tears burned in my eyes as I allowed myself to admit what had been right in front of me the entire time.

He was in love with her.

Please tell me what you think of the chapter. I'm always open to feedback. ❤️

Also ...

Veera or Pacem?