Free The Queen of Blood by Sarah Beth Durst Page B

behaving. It should have fled, she thought, or attacked . Looking at it, Daleina became more and more convinced that it wasn’t there to prompt a theoretical discussion. “They’re testing us, always, remember? Including right now.” Daleina stepped onto a branch and climbed up onto it. She continued to move slowly, smoothly, as she climbed several branches up, until she was beyond the wolf’s reach, even if it were to rise onto its hind legs. As one of the girls stepped forward to be heard, the wolf snapped. It darted into the group, aiming for the closest girl.
    The girls screamed and ran.
    Low and fast, the wolf chased them, snapping at their heels.
    â€œGrab my hand!” Daleina called. Leaning over, she reached out. Revi got to her first, and Daleina helped pull her up to the branches. Linna was second.
    From one of the circular platforms above, the teacher dropped into the practice ring. She put two fingers in her mouth and whistled. The wolf halted and then trotted to her side. She scratched between its ears and dug a treat from her pocket.
    The girls began to return. “That’s your pet?” Merecot asked.
    â€œTell me what you learned just now,” the teacher said.
    Merecot folded her arms. “Don’t trust teachers with pet wolves.”
    Mari raised her arm. “Don’t assume wolves are safe just because they haven’t attacked. We should have already been reacting, instead of having a discussion. Not everyone knew he was your pet.”
    â€œYou knew,” the teacher said to Mari, “but you didn’t share that information.”
    Many sets of eyes glared at Mari. She stuck her chin out. “It was a lesson,” Mari said. “I didn’t think I was supposed to.” Daleina shook her head, wanting to say they weren’t in competition—they were all here to learn. But she knew that wasn’t exactly true.
    â€œYou withheld knowledge,” the teacher said. “And the rest of you posited impractical solutions. You must work with the power you have.”
    â€œIt wasn’t impractical,” Merecot argued. “I could have done it.”
    â€œYou didn’t,” the teacher said.
    â€œYou wouldn’t have liked it if I’d killed your pet.”
    To Daleina’s surprise, the teacher didn’t point out the obvious fact: Merecot hadn’t known the wolf was the teacher’s friend, yet she still hadn’t used any power. To be fair, it hadn’t even crossed Daleina’s mind to call on any spirits either. It had all happened fast.
    â€œToday in survival class, you will use the resources you have to evade my wolf. Anything else in the ring is yours to use. But you may not summon any spirits—that class will begin tomorrow.” Letting her words sink in, the teacher met the eyes of each girl. “I would prefer it if you didn’t kill him, just as we would all prefer it if you didn’t wantonly kill anyone or anything. Save yourselves, and do no harm. Let that be your mantra during your years here and beyond. Do no harm.” Last, the teacher met Daleina’s eyes. “You, girl in the tree. You will assist my wolf.”
    Daleina gulped. Me again? She didn’t know if it was good or bad that teachers kept calling on her. From the looks of pity the others were shooting her, she guessed bad. “I’m sorry, Master”—she paused, not knowing the teacher’s name—“but I don’t understand.”
    â€œYou already showed you can survive. Come down here, and show me you can thrive.” Hands on her hips, the teacher surveyed them all. “You will call me Master Bei. The wolf is Bayn. Come on, girls, look lively. Bayn wants another treat. Rule is: his teeth touch you, and you’re out.”
    As the other girls scattered around the practice ring, Daleina climbed down the tree and cautiously approached Master Bei and Bayn. The wolf watched her