Mercenary Little Death Bringer by Catherine Banks

Marin. We are not belittling them, but I will not put
a student in any type of danger which could possibly end with your
death. After you leave these grounds then you can do as many
dangerous jobs as you like.”
    “If they had wanted me dead they would have
told them to kill me, not kidnap me alive.”
    “Perhaps whoever it is wants to kill you
themselves,” Micah suggested.
    “That is a possibility,” Master Sean
agreed.
    “So, for the next month the Masters and I
will plan the operation out while you work your hardest on your
close combat and escape maneuvers. You’ll need everything you’ve
been taught during this final,” Macon said. “For now all of you go
eat lunch.”
    All of the students who had been sitting
stood up and everyone saluted Macon. “Yes, sir,” we said in
unison.
    I walked out the door and Micah walked beside
me. “This is exciting, isn’t it?”
    “Yes, my upcoming kidnapping and probable
death is very exciting,” I said sarcastically.
    “Oh come on. You know you’ll be safe,” he
said with a smile.
    “Come on we need to find Favian for lunch,” I
replied to change the subject.
    “Any idea where he is?” he asked.
    I smiled. “I know exactly where he is.” We
jogged around the dorms and I led Micah to the outdoor training
ground. As soon as we were within ear shot we heard the yells of
several males battling and when it came into viewing I could see
Favian battling with six other students.
    We walked up to the arena and I stepped
inside, moving out into the ring so he would see me. The six
fighting Favian were other finalists and some of the toughest
students in the school. Favian ducked a punch from two of them at
once and then darted forward to punch a third in the face before he
could pull his sword from his belt. I watched Favian’s speed and
grace and smiled at his flawless form.
    When Favian was focused, no one could beat
him. I however knew his one weakness. Fortunate for me his weakness
happened to be me . The six students were tired and I could
see they were beginning to falter. If I didn’t intercede soon one
of them would get injured by Favian’s anger. I stepped around one
of the students and pulled my sword from my sheath. Favian spun
around, hearing the sword drawn and stopped with his sword a
fraction of an inch from mine. “Blowing off some steam?” I
asked.
    He pulled his sword back and took a step
back. “I hate when you do that.”
    “Macon ordered all of us to lunch. Let’s go
before you get in trouble for your rudeness earlier and disobeying
him now,” I said and took a step back.
    “I’m not hungry,” he said as he turned
towards a new student who had replaced one of the tired ones.
    I darted forward and sliced at Favian’s back.
He spun around and blocked my blade with his. “Macon has summoned
everyone for lunch. All of you need to leave.” The other students
grumbled, but left, including Micah, leaving Favian and I alone. I
waited until everyone was out of ear shot and said, “Talk to
me.”
    Favian sheathed his sword and headed out of
the arena. “It’s lunch time.”
    I grabbed his arm and turned him back towards
me, but he wouldn’t look at me. “Don’t ignore me,” I said angrily,
“We’re partners remember?”
    “What good is a partner if they will not
listen to you?” he asked bitterly before pulling out of my hold and
walking away.
    He’d never been so angry with me before.
Didn’t he understand that I was scared? That I didn’t want to risk
my life even though I knew I needed to? How could he abandon me
when I needed him at my back the most?
    I walked numbly to the food hall finding it
out of habit instead of sight and walked inside. Everyone was
already eating and talking so I made my way up the line and got
food quickly. There were very few people who didn’t like a girl
being at the Academy so I could sit with anyone, but I usually sat
with Favian and Micah. With Favian being so mad at me though, I
didn’t want