THE SIGMA'S MATE

CHAPTER 13 - THE ARENA

I stare up into Alaric’s masked face as if he has grown horns. He feels cold, like there is a layer of ice around him that prevents him from connecting to me. I am his mate, why can't I eat and sit with him? Why must he make a point of pushing me away when he shouldn’t be able to keep his hands off of me! What is wrong with him? He cannot honestly just leave me here with these people! But that's exactly what Alaric does, he leaves me standing here trying to build courage to cross the space between myself and the line to the food. I debate whether I am actually hungry enough to stand like a commoner and wait to be served. Taking a deep breath and curling my fists at my sides, I lift my chin. This is probably my first test, a test to see if I can tolerate his world and blend in with his followers. I won't fail on the very first day. I pass through the round metal tables seating groups of friends and comrades. They don’t bother hiding the fact that they are openingly staring despite how rude it is as I pass by. But stares I am used to. It hardly bothers me whether they are watching or not. People stare everywhere I go. The only thing is, something feels different about these stares, something feels more hostile. When I reach the line and prepare myself to wait along with the others.

"Hi princess! Welcome to the club!" An overly excited teen turns and greets me.

"Hi." I say hesitantly, eyeing his extended hand with disapproval.

Usually the elite bow. However, I am no longer within the society of the elite so I take his offered hand of friendship despite the deep urge not to. He shakes my hand enthusiastically, his smile widening if that's even possible.

"My name is Kario." The boy of around thirteen or fourteen says. "I can't believe that you are really here. It's incredible!"

"Yes well, I'd rather not talk about it if you don't mind." I say, drawing my hand back and letting it fall to my side.

The blonde boy seems disappointed but doesn't press. He simply gives me another shy smile before turning his back on me. The line is moving at a steady pace and soon I'm next after Kario. Picking up a tray with a pair of cutlery, I graciously thank the servants as they dish me food that looks and smells delicious. I suddenly realize that I am indeed starving. I scan the full dining hall for a spot to sit. Kairo waves me over to a table with two girls seated beside him. With nowhere else to go and at the risk of seeming rude to the first person who has greeted me here, I join his table. The girls quickly stand and leave abruptly. How rude.

"Ahh, perhaps they are no longer hungry. At least we have the table to ourselves." He says cheerfully, reminding me of Malcolm. He too is always upbeat and socially clueless.

"Yes, it is much preferred." I say, hardly restraining myself from the delicious food in front of me.

After eating enough to take the edge of hunger off, I analyze my new friend. He is probably the youngest face here and seems to have no friends despite his friendly nature. Strange, I wonder why no one likes him. Even stranger, why does no one seem to like me? I certainly haven't done anything to anyone here.

"Kairo," I call, interrupting his meal. He doesn't seem to mind at all. "What is it like around here?"

"Better than where I came from." He says, shrugging his shoulders, "Breakfast is almost over. I'm part of the group that's chore is to clean after meals."

"You have chores?" I ask in amusement.

How strange that Alaric wouldn't have servants especially for such tasks. Why would anyone make their warriors do housework? I frown, maybe Kario isn't a warrior then. Maybe he is the help.

"All the newbies have chores and everyone that is at the bottom of the ranking."

My attention perks, "What sort of ranking?" I ask curiously.

"The most powerful witches and benders and fighters are at the very top. There are competitions to move up the ranking all the time." He explains, seeming, as I'm assuming is his usual, very excited about it.

I feel my excitement waver. Of course the rankings would be based on strength and power.

"So which are you? New or low ranking?"

His smile falters, "Neither. I volunteer."

I'm hard pressed not to ask him exactly what he can do. The boy is talkative and yet he doesn't elaborate which indicates that it's not something he is very proud of. After lunch, Kairo goes off to do his chosen chores. I find Alaric waiting for me as I leave the dining area. He's leaning on the wall with a bag swung over his cloaked shoulder and a smirk gracing his lips.

I lift an eyebrow, "What's so amusing?"

He does not answer. Instead he pushes himself off the wall elegantly and begins off to an unknown destination. I sigh, following after him to see what the day brings. I quicken my steps to catch up to his long strides. I'm slightly out of breath trying to manage his pace.

"Where is Jayden?" I ask when I catch up to him.

I have to bend my head to look up to him not only because he is insanely tall but because I am rather on the short side.

"Why do you care?" I hear the annoyance in his voice.

I slide my eyes up to his masked face, hidden from my view. I wish I could see his expressions. "Perhaps I have taken your advice and moved on." I say.

I see his jaw clench and a small smile curves my lips.

"Jayden has no deal with me. Nor do I need anything from him. I have more than enough spies in the palace." He says in explanation.

"You haven't answered my question."

Alaric smirks, "I left him at my apartment. He should be able to find his way back to the palace."

I'll have to take his word for it. Alaric leads me to an indoor arena of sorts. There's a skylight above the well kept grass and grandstands surrounding the indoor field. A group of warriors are sparring in pairs, some with swords and others with magic. All seem well rehearsed in the art of battle. In particular, I notice the black-haired witch I have often seen at Alaric's side. She duels with two long knives against an ice bender with a sword. She's good, scarily so. I cannot help the feeling of jealousy as Alaric's gaze falls on her. It lingers as her body strains to her will. With a few clever moves and a trick with her magic, she falls her opponent. The instructor gives her some encouraging words to which she bows elegantly in show. The instructor, a woman in her late forties with graying hair, then spots us and comes over. She isn't the only instructor I notice. There are at least five for a group this large, monitoring the interactions between the warriors. The sparring slows and then completely ceases as the warriors training take a glance our way.

"Sigma, what do we have here?" She inquires, "My, I thought they were pulling my chain. Princess Lyra."

"Just Lyra here, Kaye." The Sigma says sternly.

I understand well enough what he is implying. Here I am supposed to be a nobody. Here I have no title or power.

"Right. Of course." The instructor by the name of Kaye says.

"Let Lyra join the sparring. When she is not training with me, I expect you to personally oversee that she is continuing to improve."

Kaye smiles, her thin lips showing no teeth. "Right then, Lyra. Why don't you take a lap around the field to warm the muscles and then we'll begin."

I cannot remember the last time I ran for exercise although I clearly remember the last time I ran for my life.

"Put her against someone, a bender." Alaric commands and my eyes widen.

"Does she have any fighting experience?" Kaye asks but from her tone I'm assuming she highly doubts it. She would be right.

Alaric shoves the duffle bag he's been carrying over his shoulder into my arms. I feel his hand on my lower back, it almost completely takes over my mind as he gives me a little shove forward.

"The changing rooms are over there." Alaric says, pointing to the right side of the field. "Don't dawdle."

I hug the duffle bag to my chest, a frown forming on my lips as I make my way over to the changing rooms. I dislike taking orders but sometimes you have to serve now to lead later. The changing rooms are far larger than I imagined with rows of showers and a sauna large enough for twenty people. There are also lockers inside which I make use of once I've changed out of the clothes I slept in. Tying the laces of my takkies which fit perfectly, I hop up eager to begin my training.