**Chapter 5** The next day felt like I’d been thrown back in time—a disorienting jolt that came too early for my brain to even process. I forced myself out of bed, clad in an outfit that seemed specifically designed for failure, and headed to the gym. This time around, things were different. For one, standing in front of me was Aiden. He was not the stuffy Instructor I was used to—those who had either long since calculated their decision to settle down after a few accidents on the job or just bored out of their minds. No, Aiden was an entirely different creature. He wore workout pants identical to the ones I’d pilfered from the supply closet, but while I cloaked myself in a benign white shirt, he donned a tank top that magnificently showcased arms of pure muscle. And he was out there—truly out there—hunting daimons, not just mouthing lessons from some dusty textbook. Still, he shared one trait with my former Instructors: the moment I stepped foot into the gym, it was all business. The way he barked orders, directing me on warm-up exercises and demanding I roll out all the mats, left no room for doubt—I was in for a day filled with pain. “How much do you remember from your previous training?” Aiden asked, his tone almost challenging. I glanced around the gym, noting items I hadn’t seen in three years—training mats for soft landings, dummies with skin that felt eerily real, and first aid kits in every corner (because, let’s be honest, bleeding was practically a rite of passage). My gaze landed on the far wall, lined with menacing knives, the kind I had only dreamt of wielding in training. “The usual stuff: textbook approaches, offensive techniques, a little kicking and punching here and there,” I said, drawn magnetically towards the weapons wall. “Not much then,” he replied, eyes observing me as if I were a puzzle he couldn’t quite solve. I picked up one of the sleek titanium daggers, meant for Sentinels, and nodded. “The real training happens—” But before I could finish, Aiden swooped in, taking the dagger from my fingers and placing it back on the wall, his fingers lingering on the blade as if it were a sacred artifact. “You haven’t earned the right to touch these weapons, especially that one.” His voice was serious, and for a moment, I couldn’t tell if he was jesting. “Why not?” I shot back. He remained silent, and a flicker of rebellion sparked within me. I yearned to grasp it again but pulled back in realization. “I excelled at everything. I could punch and kick harder than anyone else, outrun my classmates.” Aiden returned to his position in the center of the gym, hands perched on his hips, looking at me as if I were an unworthy rookie. “Not much then,” he repeated. “Not much at all,” I confirmed, catching his mocking tone. "You’ll need to get used to this place," he said matter-of-factly. "We’ll be spending eight hours a day here." “You’re kidding, right?” His expression suggested otherwise. “Down the hall is a gym. You should make it a habit to visit—often.” My jaw nearly dropped. “Look,” he added, casting a critical eye over my skinny frame. “You’re too skinny. You need some weight, some muscle. Speed and strength? Yeah, they’re innate, but right now, a ten-year-old could take you on.” With that, I pressed my lips together. He had a point; this morning I’d struggled to tie my drawstrings twice just to keep them up. “Well, it wasn’t like I was enjoying three square meals a day. Speaking of which… isn’t breakfast a thing?” The hardness in his gaze softened slightly. For the briefest moment, he seemed reminiscent of the guy who had slipped into my room the night before. “I brought you a protein shake.” "Ew," I groaned. But when he picked up the plastic container and handed it to me, I accepted it grudgingly. “Drink up. We need to establish some ground rules first.” Aiden stepped back, his stance shifting to one of authority. “Go ahead and sit. I want you to focus.” And just like that, the softer facade dissolved. Rolling my eyes, I settled onto the nearest mat and lifted the bottle to my lips. The scent of stale chocolate assaulted my senses and the taste was nothing short of a watery milkshake disaster. Standing before me, his arms crossed against that impressive chest, Aiden laid down the law. “First off, no drinking or smoking.” “Wow. So I should quit my crack habit, then?” He didn’t find that amusing. “You will not leave the Covenant without permission, and—” he began. “Don’t look at me like that.” “Seriously, how old are you?” I challenged, feigning innocence while I already knew the answer. Aiden cracked his neck like he was preparing for battle. “I turn twenty-one in October.” I shook the bottle lightly. “Have you always been this… mature?” “Mature?” he echoed, cocking an eyebrow. “You sound like a dad,” I teased, lowering my voice for effect. “‘Don’t look at me that way,’ or else…’” He blinked slowly, utterly unimpressed. “I don’t sound like that, and I never said ‘or else.’” “But if you had, what would the ‘or else’ have been?” My smirk widened as I hid behind the shake. Aiden frowned, glancing sideways, clearly exasperated. “Can you just keep quiet for once?” With a casual disregard, I took another gulp from the bottle. “So why can’t I leave the island?” “It’s for your safety and my peace of mind.” He resumed his solid posture—arms crossed, feet planted firmly. “You aren’t leaving this island without someone accompanying you.” “Do my friends count?” I half-asked, half-joked. “No.” “Then who’s allowed to accompany me?” Aiden sighed heavily, as if this was the most taxing discussion of all time. “Either me or one of the other instructors.” I swirled the liquid in the bottle, which was rapidly losing its appeal. “I know the rules, Aiden. You don’t have to reiterate them.” He hesitated, clearly wanting to point out my need for a refresher, but dropped it and returned to piling punches. I stood and began to stretch, curiosity bubbling forth. “So, what’s on the agenda today? Can we bypass the part where you kick my ass?” His lips twitched as if he was wrestling a grin. “We’re starting with the basics.” “Basics?” I frowned at him. “You've got to be kidding. I already know that stuff.” “You know just enough to not get yourself killed—immediately.” As I started hopping between my feet, he studied me as if assessing a piece of art. “What are you doing?” “Just trying to stay entertained,” I shrugged. Aiden rolled his eyes. “Let’s get to it then. You won’t be bored for long.” “Yes, master,” I teased with a smart salute. “Don’t call me that. I’m not your master. Only the gods hold such titles.” “Yes, sir,” I replied, making the words laced with deliberate sarcasm. Aiden held my gaze for a brief moment before nodding, seemingly resigned to my antics. “Okay. First, I want to see how well you can take a fall.” “I almost landed a hit on you during our last encounter,” I couldn’t help but point out, ready to raise my defense. He motioned toward a mat where I awkwardly stood as he circled me. “Almost doesn’t count, Alex. It never does.” “Daimons not only rely on strength when they attack but also wield elemental magic,” I replied matter-of-factly. “Exactly. And they can be ridiculously powerful depending on how many pures or halfs they have drained. A single blow from one of them wielding the air element could knock you into next week. You must never let them ground you, but truth is, it happens—even to the best,” he instructed, his serious gray eyes piercing through me. “Yeah, yeah.” My mind wandered. I knew how to fall. With that, without warning, Aiden shoved me backward, my body hitting the mat like a rag doll. Pain shot through me, and I lay there momentarily stunned. Aiden hovered over me, his expression unyielding. “That was just a love tap, and you didn’t execute that fall correctly at all.” “Ow.” I groaned, unsure if I even wanted to move. “Be aware. You should’ve landed on your upper back. It’s less painful and easier to maneuver from.” He extended a hand to help me up. “I thought you said I knew how to fall?” “For gods’ sake, Alex. You had a split second to position yourself.” Ignoring his hand, I managed to stand on my own, glaring. Aiden’s lips curled into a lopsided smile. “Look, even without a warning, you have time to adjust. You can make it work if you focus.” I scowled, rubbing my back; I remembered the technique well enough. “Roll the hips, chin down.” “Show me,” he challenged, eyeing me like some bizarre specimen. “Put your arms up—here. Like this.” I awkwardly positioned my spindly arms to guard my chest. “Keep them strong. No spaghetti arms,” he directed, an expression of semi-disgust creeping over his face. “Okay.” “Now, brace yourself.” He smacked the side of my arms—something in between a gentle push and a nudge. To my embarrassment, I lost my balance and toppled again, this time in the wrong direction. I rolled over, groaning. “Adequate,” he called, irritation lacing his tone. “You need to learn to land.” “Seriously?” I complained from the floor. “How many times do I have to take a fall?” “Get up.” He extended his hand again, but I resisted the urge to grab it, forcing myself upright instead. “Put your arms back up.” I braced again for impact. Within moments, I was back on the mat, hitting the floor repeatedly until it felt like I was partaking in a tragic comedy act. After endless trials, I finally drew on the techniques buried in my mind and executed a damn near perfect fall. “About time,” Aiden quipped. By the time we broke for lunch, every muscle in my body ached like a message from the grim reaper. Aiden disappeared for whatever business he had, leaving me stranded as I indulged in my culinary solitude. About fifteen minutes into my miserable meal, a pure-blood in a white lab coat appeared before me. I swallowed hard, looking up. “Hi?” “Please follow me,” she instructed, her voice devoid of emotion. I glanced once more at my half-eaten sub and sighed, abandoning it to trail behind her toward the medical building situated behind the training facilities. “Am I receiving a physical or something?” Silence was her only response. All attempts at conversation were ignored as I hopped onto the examination table. I watched her rummage through cabinets, my anxiety climbing until she produced a syringe, flicking it with casual expertise. My heart raced. “Uh, what’s that?” “Please lift up the sleeve of your shirt.” With caution, I complied. “But what are you giving me—dammit!” My arm burned as she jabbed me. “That hurt like hell.” Her faint smile was laced with a dose of condescension. "You’ll be reminded in six months to receive another dose. For the next forty-eight hours, please refrain from unprotected sexual activities.” Try to refrain? As if I had uncontrollable urges urging me to jump every half in sight? “I’m not some sex-crazed skank, lady.” Ignoring me, she turned her back and walked away as if I were a nuisance. I jumped off the table, tugging my sleeve down, incredulous that I had forgotten about the Covenant’s mandatory birth control for female half-bloods. Having offspring with two half-bloods was as useful as granting immortality to a flea, according to pure-blood philosophy. I wasn’t particularly bothered by the prospect, given I doubted I’d ever feel any parental inclinations. But a simple heads-up before the injection would’ve been nice. When I returned to the training room, Aiden glanced my way, spotting me rubbing my arm. I refrained from explaining, desperate to focus on my next set of demons—getting knocked down and forced back up. But I was woefully out of practice. By the time I’d finished cleaning up the mats, every part of my back screamed in protest, my thighs had been ruthlessly assaulted, and I limped painfully from fatigue. Finally, witnessing my slower pace, Aiden stepped in, taking over the mats with a practiced ease. “It’ll become easier,” he assured, glancing up as I struggled to reach him. “Your body will readjust.” “I hope you’re right.” Taking in a breath, I felt relief wash over me, though the aching muscles threatened to overwhelm. “But definitely, stretch at night. It can help ease the soreness. You’ll feel a lot better.” I followed him to the door, appreciating his advice. Outside the training room, he halted to shut the double doors. “Tomorrow, we’ll work on your jumping technique some more. After that, we’ll delve into blocking methods.” I almost pointed out my prior knowledge of blocking techniques but remembered how brutally quick I had been caught by a daimon back in Georgia. My hand instinctively brushed over the irregular scar on my shoulder. “You okay?” Dropping my hand, I nodded, not trusting my voice. As if possessed by a sort of mind-reading power, Aiden stepped closer, brushing a stray hair from my ponytail back over my shoulder, leaving me both startled and shivering from the light contact. “It’s not bad. It’ll vanish soon enough.” “It’s going to scar—it already has,” I countered. “A badge of honor, some would say,” he remarked, his sincerity palpable. “Really?” My eyebrows knitted together at that concept. “Absolutely. It showcases your strength and bravery. Nothing to feel ashamed of.” “Sure,” I replied, forcing a smile I didn’t quite feel. I could read the doubt in his eyes, and yet he opted not to press further. I limped away, slowly retreating to my room. Caleb awaited me just outside my door. Clutching a handful of shopping bags and wearing a nervous expression, he glanced around like a deer caught in headlights. “Caleb, you didn’t have to do all that. And you’re going to get busted.” “Then let me in before I get caught. And for the record, the shopping? I had some beautiful girls try clothes on for me. It was a win-win situation,” he declared proudly. I snorted as I eased myself onto the couch, grateful for the relief. “Thanks. I owe you.” Caleb wasted no time diving into all the juicy gossip I’d missed during my long absence, which was now how I referred to it. As I sifted through the assortment of jeans, dresses, and shorts that I quickly deemed inappropriate for the Covenant dress code, I shook my head. Seriously, where was I supposed to wear these things? Down some street corner? It turned out not much had changed. People still snuck off to hook up and flirted with reckless abandon. Lea had pitted two or three boys against one another, all in hopes of landing someone to fulfill her desires. Based on yesterday, it seemed Jackson had taken the trophy. Meanwhile, two half-bloods—Rosalie and Nathaniel—had graduated and were now Sentinels, and jealousy bubbled within me. After today’s practice, I feared Aiden no longer saw my potential. Luke, a half I used to hang with, had come out of the closet last year—as if that were a big deal in our strange world. Among the children of half-bloods and gods, there was little room for shocking news regarding sexual orientation. It seemed I was the lone virgin remaining here. I sighed, feeling an odd blend of frustration and shame. “Was your training that rough?” “I think I broke my back today,” I said, deadpan. He chuckled and quickly regained his composure. “You didn’t break anything. Just… out of practice. In a few days, you’ll be kicking Aiden’s butt.” “Doubtful.” “So, what did he want from you yesterday? I have to be honest; I’m half-expecting him to barge in and deliver some rough justice for me trespassing in your room.” “Then you shouldn’t be in here if you’re scared,” I countered, arching an eyebrow. Caleb ignored that comment. “What did Aiden want?" “I think Lea ratted me out. Aiden knew about the incident in the rec room. He didn’t go off on me, but I could’ve done without the lecture.” “Damn, she can be a real pain sometimes.” He leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. “We could burn her eyebrows off or something. I’m sure Zarak would love that.” I laughed, shaking my head. “I’m pretty sure that won’t help my case.” Suddenly, he leaned closer, clearly bursting with news. “I hooked up—" “What?” I shrieked, nearly launching myself off the couch in horror. Wrong move. Pain shot through me. “Please tell me you didn’t hook up with Lea!” He shrugged, playing it cool. “I was bored. She was available. Not too bad, actually—” Disgusted, I flung a pillow at him, interrupting. “I don’t want to hear the details! I’m choosing to ignore that you even said that.” Amusement played on his face. “It seems Lea is determined to get you into trouble, considering she ratted you out.” I reclined back down, contemplating the dynamics in the room. “I don’t know. What about the pure who was in the room?” “Who? Thea?” Caleb shook his head. “No way she would’ve told anyone.” “What’s Thea doing here, anyway?” Seeing a pure among us during the summer wasn’t normal. They typically left during the off-season, off to globe-trot with their parents—living extravagant lives while we remained shackled to this place. “Her parents are on the Council. They have no time for her. She’s nice but extremely quiet. I think she’s got a crush on Deacon.” “Deacon, as in Aiden’s brother?” “Yup.” I could tell there was more to Thea's affections for Deacon. “What’s the big deal? They’re both pures.” Caleb’s expression twisted slightly. “Deacon has a reputation.” “Okay,” I said, reasoning through what I’d observed from my past. “What kind of reputation?” “Thea’s is a bit on the pure side of the equation.” “Good to know I’m not the only virgin.” Caleb laughed softly. “And?” “Deacon’s reputation is… well, let’s just say he takes after Zeus. That kind of reputation.” The ominous implications settled in my gut. “Opposites attract, I guess.” “Not that opposite,” he started, but then shifted gears. “Oh, I almost forgot. You won’t believe what I heard today in town. One of the shop owners was gossiping openly, totally unaware of who could hear her—oh, by the way, that shop owner probably thinks I’m a cross-dresser now.” I giggled, throwing him a mock glare. His excitement persisted. “Do you remember Kelia Lothos?” Kelia Lothos. The name rung a faint bell. “Wasn’t she a Guard here?” “Yeah, she’s about ten years older than us. She bagged herself a boyfriend.” “Good for her.” “Wait for it, Alex. Patience. His name is Hector—can’t recall his last name—anyway, he’s a pure from another community.” He paused dramatically, building suspense. My heart raced. “Oh no, not good.” He raised his hands dramatically. “Exactly. Remember? Not allowed.” Wide-eyed, I exclaimed, “That’s insane!” The notion that both Kelia and Hector's consequences rested so precariously on their relationship bothered me immensely. “They can’t be that reckless!” Caleb shrugged. “I can’t believe they dared to even think of something like that.” The covert rules ingrained in us felt suffocating. “What do you think will happen to her?” Caleb snorted, nonchalantly answering, “She’ll probably get stripped of her Guard duties, sent off to manage one of the houses.” And that infuriated me. “That’s absolutely unfair.” He looked me squarely in the eyes. “It’s not a fair system, but that’s how it works.” “It’s stupid,” I gritted out, a wave of anger flooding through me. “Kelia is basically going to end up enslaved because of this relationship?” His silence lingered heavy in the room. “Does your reaction stem from your newfound trainer being the pure that all the chicks drool over?” I frowned at him, defiant. “Absolutely not—are you even insane? Aiden’s probably plotting to kill me.” I sank deeper into the couch. “I honestly think he intends to murder me.” “Whatever,” he responded lightly, stretching his legs. “Remember, I spent three years in the normal world—a realm where pures and halfs are merely myth. No one gives a damn about someone’s familial lineage while dating.” He took a moment to gaze out into nothingness, lost in thought. “What was it like?” “What was what like?” “Being out there, away from all of…this?” “Oh.” I shifted, propping myself on my elbow. Most half-bloods had no idea what that life was like. Sure, they mingled out there, but they were never truly part of it. Their interactions felt flimsy. To us, the mortal realm appeared violently chaotic, and not just daimons we had to fear. Yet, I recalled our share of crazies—those who couldn’t comprehend the meaning of ‘no,’ the backstabbers, and the greedy who would do anything to seize what they wanted. But still, it didn't compare to the mortal world, and the distinction unsettled me. I wasn’t sure if it was a blessing or a curse. “Well, it’s different. There’s such a variety of people. Kind of blended in, to a point.” Caleb’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as I shared my experiences. Most of the halfs had zero understanding of life beyond the Covenant. Mom had utilized compulsion to get me into the local school system, fabricating backgrounds while I maintained a faded image of “student.” Caleb was totally entranced by the conversation as I recounted the ordinary and mundane moments of my time away. Each transition conjured lost memories I had almost forgotten. Curiosity could lead people to make reckless choices, identify the anomalies hidden among well-behaved faces. Many half-bloods vanished into the outside world, but they always turned up eventually. It was never long before the Covenant caught wind of anyone trying to settle beyond its walls. And yet, they found us a little too late. Caleb tilted his head, studying me in silence. “How are you feeling, being back here?” Lying back, I stared at the ceiling. “Good.” “Really?” He stood, exuding a charm that masked for concern. “Because a lot has happened, and it might have messed with you.” “Yeah, I’m okay.” Caleb settled beside me, casually leaning in. “Are you sure you’re going to talk about it?” “Look. I’m fine. Not like I’m being bothered by all of it,” I muttered, feeling the weight of his stare. “Okay. But it’s messed with you, right? We all know that.” I pried my eyes open, aware of his expectant gaze. “Fine. I’ll admit, it’s messed with my head and heart. Happy?” “Of course, I’m not happy about that,” he responded, concern clouding his expression. Talking about feelings—an uncharted territory for me—I tried to avoid it entirely. “I tend to just…avoid thinking about it. It’s easier that way.” Caleb frowned at my response. “Really? Do I need to play psychologist? You might want to consider that it’s probably not ideal to bury everything deep down?” I groaned. “Please don’t start with the psychobabble.” “Alex?” he pressed. I stubbornly elevated myself, ignoring the pain in my back, preparing to shove him off me. Yet, he swayed back into my space, his intent clear. “What do you want from me? Do you want me to admit I miss my mom? Yes, I do. It’s horrible to see her drained by a daimon, and the thought of fighting them and thinking I would die? No, it was not fun. It sucked hard.” Caleb nodded, absorbing my emotional outburst. “Did you get to have a funeral for her?” “That’s a stupid question,” I snapped, tugging back hair that had escaped its confines. “No, I didn’t get a funeral. After I killed the daimon, there was another one. I ran.” His face paled. “Did anyone go back for her body?” I flinched. “I don’t know. I haven’t asked.” Caleb mulled that over, seemingly troubled. “Maybe if you held a small ceremony for her, it would help. You know, just a way to remember her.” I shot him a piercing glance. “We are not having a funeral. I mean it, Caleb. If you so much as hint at something like that, I’ll take the risk of expulsion just to kick your ass.” A funeral meant facing the reality of my mother’s death. The emotional fortress I’d crafted would crack, and I… I couldn’t handle that. “Fine. Fine.” He raised his hands defensively. “I just thought it might add some closure.” “I have closure. Remember? I saw her die.” Caleb winced, struck by the depth of my reminder. “Alex, I’m sincerely sorry. I cannot even begin to fathom how you must have felt. I can’t imagine—” He edged closer, as if he intended to hug me, but I waved him off, hoping to conclude the subject. Understanding, he switched gears, shifting back to lighter topics—more gossip, more Covenant stories—anything but the dark shadows that loomed over us. I remained nestled on the couch even after he sneaked back out of my dorm. I should’ve hungered to socialize, to connect with the people around me, but I didn’t. The piece of our conversation about my mother lingered like a festering wound. So, I threw myself into the gossip I’d gathered, and then tried to conjure thoughts of Jackson, or even Caleb—who had really filled out over the last three years. Yet, their faces were soon replaced by Aiden and his tantalizingly defined arms. And that thought was entirely wrong. With another deep breath, I settled back down and returned my gaze to the ceiling. I was okay. I was great, actually. Returning to the Covenant was infinitely better than enduring the ordinary world or scrubbing toilets in some pure’s house. I rubbed beneath my eyes, attempting to convince myself. I was still okay. I had to be okay.