More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
For every girl who has ever felt powerless
But all anyone cares about now is who the Plague didn’t kill. The kingdom was isolated for years to keep the sickness from spreading to the surrounding cities, and only the strongest in Ilya survived the disease that altered the very structure of humans. The fast became exceptionally faster, the strong became unbeatable, and those who lurked in the shadows could become the shadows. Dozens of supernatural abilities were bestowed upon Ilyans alone, all varying in strength, purpose, and power. Gifts given as a reward for surviving.
Because not all those who survived the Plague were fortunate enough to be gifted with abilities. No, the Ordinaries were just that—ordinary. And over the next several decades following the Plague, the Ordinaries and Elites lived in peace. Until King Edric decreed that Ordinaries were no longer fit to live in his kingdom. It was over three decades ago when sickness swept through the land. Due to the outbreak of what was likely a common illness, the king’s Healers used the opportunity to claim that Ordinaries were carrying an undetectable disease, saying it was likely the reason they hadn’t
...more
“Hide your feelings, hide your fear, and most importantly, hide behind your facade. No one can know, Paedy. Trust no one and nothing but your instincts.” My father’s gentle voice is oddly jarring as it echoes in my head, reminding me that every part of my life should be a lie and the girl sitting before me should be as deceived as the rest of the kingdom.
“A dimwitted king is a dead king.”
“A dimwitted Enforcer is a defeated empire.”
It’s almost comical how obvious it is that we’re only half brothers. Other than our physical differences, I lack Kitt’s caring like he lacks my callousness. He’s patient, personable, and fit for the throne like I’m fit for the battlefield. A king where I am a killer.
Adena, the only person I have left in this world,
and perhaps it’s my Psychic abilities kicking in,
“Make them underestimate you. Make them overlook you until you want to be seen.”
stare at the note, blinking in confusion while my heart races in anticipation. That’s my house. Well, that was my house.
Former house. You left it, remember?
He loves being in control. Having power. “I’m a Mundane,” I say simply, stating my tier on the Elites’ food chain to prove that I am of little threat and importance to him. “A Psychic.” I look him right in his black eyes as I say it, willing his black heart to believe me.
Men would likely go extinct without women to coddle them.
THE SIXTH PURGING TRIALS IS ABOUT TO BEGIN REMEMBER THE PURGING. THANK THE PLAGUE. HONOR TO YOUR KINGDOM, YOUR FAMILY, AND YOURSELF. YOU COULD BE THE NEXT VICTORIOUS ELITE. I snort loudly, nearly choking on a chunk of my apple. Although the Purging Trials are nothing to laugh about, I can’t help but find it comical that they are meant to be a celebration. In honor of the Great Purging over three decades ago, the Trials were created to showcase the people’s supernatural abilities and bring honor to the only Elite kingdom. I wouldn’t say murdering innocent people brings honor to me, my kingdom,
...more
This highlight has been truncated due to consecutive passage length restrictions.
There have been very few times in my life when I haven’t envied the Elites. But at the thought of competing in the Purging Trials, I’ve never been more thankful to be nothing and no one of importance. Completely Ordinary.
My eyes finally meet his. It’s like looking into a storm.
Plagues, a pretty boy with pretty words.
The thought of an Offensive Elite wearing scars almost brings a smile to my lips. Proof of weakness.
He’s a brutal man, a Brawny who is strong physically as well as mentally. He’s stern, stubborn, and set in his ways,
“I have a mission for you as the future Enforcer.” “I live to serve,” I answer flatly. I live to kill. My life means the end of someone else’s.
After the Purging, when the Ordinaries were banished to the Scorches to protect Ilya from their disease, the king decreed that any remaining Ordinaries found in the kingdom would be executed. Three decades ago, he offered them a chance to survive if they could cross the Scorches and reach the cities of Dor and Tando on the other side where they would be no harm. But the king’s mercy only lasted that day of the Purging, and I now deliver death on his behalf.
Your ability as a Wielder is very powerful, and you’ll serve this kingdom well one day.” He pauses before adding, “I’ve made sure of that.” He has indeed. Training has been my whole life, my whole purpose. Rather than having a single ability to manifest and master, I’ve spent years learning how to control dozens. But I honed my body as much as my abilities, becoming a weapon myself. How to use and kill with every weapon at my disposal has been ingrained into my brain—a reflex I have refined. But I can’t take all the credit. No, it’s the king who made me what I am today. The king who took it
...more
I reach out with my power, making sure none of them are the Ordinary hiding in plain sight. My Wielder ability is especially helpful as the Enforcer, making my job far easier and far more efficient.
And that’s when I spot an emotion I’m all too familiar with, the one that tends to accompany my presence. Fear.
Abigail. I wish I didn’t know. Wish I didn’t have to add another name to the endless list of those unfortunate enough to cross my path, unfortunate enough to cross the king.
Perhaps you may not need powers to be powerful.
“Every girl deserves something equally as pretty and deadly as they are,”
Her palm is pressed to my chest where a thick ring hugs her thumb, and after a few seconds of my studying her while she attempts to steady herself, she heaves a shaky breath before meeting my gaze. It’s like drowning in the ocean. Her eyes are the color of the Shallows Sea’s deepest corner, a clear sky as it begins to drift into night, the subtle shade of a forget-me-not. And like the hottest flame, her eyes are blue and full of fire. Her high cheekbones lead up to equally strong, dark brows, now slightly raised as she takes me in.
She holds herself with a certain confidence that tells me there was once a time when she did not.
drown in her blue eyes. Every time our gazes meet it’s like ice meeting the hottest fire, like gray mist rising on the deep blue ocean.
And with that, I’m suddenly curious, suddenly wondering what power she possesses. So I reach out to her ability with my own. Nothing. I feel nothing. I study her face as I try again and again to sense her power. Normally, this would be the part where I either throw the girl over my shoulder and carry her to the dungeons to be further examined, or I simply kill her on the spot due to the mere suspicion of her being an Ordinary. And yet, I don’t move.
And that’s when I feel it. With my attention finally on the coin pouch at my side, I suddenly notice how much lighter it feels than before— Before her. Why that little—
The Blazer’s power flickers out, and I’m unable to do anything but clutch my pounding head, panting from the pain. I’ve grown very familiar with torture over the years, but this is like nothing I’ve ever endured. Through the haze of agony clouding my vision, I see a tall figure step into the alley. His hand is raised toward me, face grim, thin lips pulled downward in a scowl. Silencer. Impossible. My thoughts scatter, leaving nothing but pain to ponder. The Silencer smothers my power. Smothers me. They can do more than just strip you of your ability, making you no more than an Ordinary. He’s
...more
This stranger and the man who raised me look nothing alike, and yet, the image of one crippled on the ground seems to bleed into the other. I suddenly feel like that little girl again, standing idly as my father died beneath me.
I won’t stand by idly again. I couldn’t save my father, but I’ll honor him now by saving someone from the same suffering he endured.
“Both your mind, as well as your body, need to be trained. Conditioned,” he’d say as I dodged his punches, all while answering his dozens of questions that tested my observation. I wielded any weapon we could get our hands on while my father trained every part of my being—my mind, my body, my Psychic ability.
There was so much of it coating the floor of our small house resting between Merchant and Elm Street. Coating me, my father. I haven’t been back since that night I ran. That night the king plunged a sword through my father’s chest.
But the king doesn’t need a reason to kill—he needs a reason to let people live.
So, I pulled the wedding ring from his finger, pushed it onto my thumb, and ran. The same ring I’m now using to sink into the Silencer’s cheek. If Father could see me now…
Prince Kai. I’d never seen the man. Never thought I would. Never thought I would steal from him either. But I’ve heard enough about his reputation. How he’s supposedly the strongest Elite in decades. How he’s the future Enforcer, said to be callous and calculating, yet charismatic and charming when he wishes to be—when he chooses to play the part.
The Deliverer of Death, they call him.
I would have never saved him if I knew who he was. What he is. What he does.
But my fear is quickly replaced by a much more welcome emotion—anger. I’m angry with myself for helping the prince who kills like it’s nothing and grants his father’s wishes like he is everything. I’m angry for finding him not repulsive since the very kingdom he’s so loyal to makes me sick with its twisted values and beliefs. He is the future Enforcer, the executioner of innocents, of Ordinaries, of people like me.
I blink up at him as realization rams into me. He has the rare ability to sense another’s power and use it himself…. He tried to sense my power in the alley. Only to find that there was none.
“The Silver Savior,” I hear a man whisper before others echo his words.
THE PEOPLE OF ILYA HAVE CHOSEN INTRODUCING YOUR CONTESTANTS FOR THE SIXTH EVER PURGING TRIALS: KAI AZER ANDREA VOS JAX SHIELDS BLAIR ARCHER ACE ELWAY BRAXTON HALE HERA COLT SADIE KNOX My eyes scroll down the list of names quickly. And then my heart skips a beat. Maybe a dozen. Because the final name scrolled in large letters for all to see is far too familiar. PAEDYN GRAY
Because, ironic as it is, Silencers can silence each other, assuming one of them is stronger.
Although I’m skeptical, her demonstration was impressive. She shouldn’t have known about the Scorches, the banishment, the fight—any of it. And seeing that I don’t know a single thing about Psychics, nor have I ever encountered one, I can’t exactly prove her wrong. There are dozens of powers I have yet to witness, considering that my training consisted of mostly Offensive abilities. Father made sure I never wasted my time, stooped so low as to learn the powers of lesser Elites.
She was captivating. Yes, she was skilled, but what intrigued me most was how much emotion she channeled into each blow. The passion packed in each punch; the rage rolling off her.
