Change of Darkness (The Change Series Book 3) by Jacinta Jade (best new books to read txt) 📕

more or less together, all of them breathing heavily but trying not to look like they were, very few of them managing it successfully. They looked to the training master for his reaction.

A pause, then a slow nod of approval, and Siray felt at least one of the knots in her stomach unravel.

Until Herrin’s next words.

‘Break time.’

They all tensed but obediently dispersed from their lines, turning to gauge where the food barrels were this time.

Siray spotted the two lots of barrels quickly, each one placed at one end of the arena.

Baindan tapped her on the shoulder and motioned with his head to the set that was slightly farther away, and Siray twisted and saw that Wexner and his unit were already moving in that direction. She followed Baindan and the others, another unit joining them in their walk across the sands as well.

This time it was as if the drive for food had been completely reversed. Whereas before the captives had run to be the first group to the barrels, had even brawled in the arena over who got first access, now Siray noted that they were all taking as much time to traverse the distance as they could without raising suspicion.

‘So, what’s the plan?’ Tamot’s voice was low, coming from ahead and to Siray’s right as he posed the question to the group.

‘There’s a plan?’ Loce asked, his serious face turning around to look at Wexner, Baindan, and, Siray was surprised to note, herself. Did Loce think of her as equal to Baindan’s and Wexner’s?

‘Not yet,’ Baindan muttered.

They reached the pair of barrels, and Siray thought it almost funny how they proceeded to stand around uncertainly, hoping that another unit would grab their portions first. Or it would have been had they all not been so aware that any number of eyes—including Herrin’s—could be watching them.

‘I’d say we’ve got moments until Herrin emerges back into the arena and marches over here,’ said Baindan, half turned away from the group.

Siray knew his position would allow him to both keep an eye on everyone around the barrels and on the door halfway along one edge of the huge space.

‘I don’t think we have an option,’ Genlie murmured. ‘The last two days, we’ve all rushed for the food. If we don’t eat now, they will know we are refusing to eat in case the food is drugged.’

Tamot snorted. ‘It’s definitely drugged.’

When no one said anything further, Genlie gave a resigned sigh and began striding purposefully towards one barrel, her long legs moving quickly.

Kovi, however, was quick to leap towards her. ‘Wait,’ he demanded, grabbing for her arm.

The captive who was obviously the appointed leader of the third unit at the barrels huffed a breath from behind Siray. ‘There’s no point debating, rock heads,’ he said in an imperious voice. ‘Get out of the way.’ And he shouldered first past Siray, and then Genlie and Kovi, his unit following.

Annoyed, Siray was about to call the captive a choice term of her own, but she hesitated as an idea began to form in her mind. Seeing Baindan frowning at the other unit, she reached out to him and clasped his arm before he could say anything to the arrogant male.

When Baindan glanced quickly towards her at the touch, his eyes showing both surprise and pleasure as they met hers, she let go of his arm and had to look elsewhere as warmth flooded her cheeks. ‘We don’t all have to eat it,’ she told him quietly. Then she also began moving towards the barrels.

Kovi’s eyes registered the motion, and his mouth dropped open. ‘Siray, what are you doing?’

The others were all watching her, and, in particular, Siray could see Zale’s eyes fixed on her. From his expression, she realised he was a heartbeat away from stopping her from reaching into the barrel. And that would give everything away. So she hurried forwards.

The other unit had now grabbed their portions and were moving away, probably in order to allow any watching eyes to see clearly that they were, in fact, eating, and also to put more distance between them and Siray’s and Wexner’s units, in case guards came after them.

It was a good idea, Siray thought, and one she wanted to follow.

So as she drew closer to the barrel, the others also moved nearer, their actions almost like a collective intake of breath. Her friends were watching her silently, Baindan and Zale clearly on edge. As Siray reached into the barrel with one hand, she tried to move purposefully and with little hesitation, as if her hunger had won out over her sense. And as she pretended to select a meal, Siray carefully broke the portion she had already grabbed in half, then grabbed the smaller serving.

When she stepped away from the container, she didn’t look at her friends but looked down at her portion instead, still playing the part of an acutely hungry captive. ‘We don’t all have to eat,’ she repeated. ‘If only half of us do, then the others who are unaffected can help control the others during the fights. Or at least think up some strategy to ensure we all make it through.’ She looked down at her meal then up towards the far end of the arena before saying to the others without addressing them directly, ‘and don’t take a whole portion.’ Then she purposely walked a little way from her unit, who were still grouped conspicuously by the barrels, and began breaking small morsels off the wrapped meat and eating them, swallowing with difficulty.

Knowing that you had to eat something that was laced with a drug and actually doing so were two very different things, she found. Especially when that drug could turn you into the worst possible version of yourself.

Predictably, Baindan was the first to reach her, one hand cupped by his side as he joined her, facing away from the door and the viewing platform located high above it. His free hand moved repeatedly between the cupped