bandage over the wound. “We will need to test for illicit substances too,” she said. “I just want you to know that it’s standard protocol in situations like these, even though you testified that you haven’t taken anything. I believe you were above-board today and I appreciate that.”
Ksenia bit her lip. “Um, there’s something else you should know, actually. I don’t think it would affect any of the outcomes of a match, but the cloaking isn’t the only Sandrekar trait I have.”
She reached for the syringe Simina had set on the tray nearby, then summoned her scales once more on a section of her arm. When she jabbed the needle forcefully at her arm, the metal tip bent.
“Oh, wow.” Simina stared, wide-eyed, retrieving the destroyed needle from Ksenia. “That is not a common combination of traits to have at all. Wouldn’t your family have known and been able to tell you about your lineage? This isn’t the kind of thing that stays a secret for long.”
“It is where I come from,” Ksenia said. “Can you please make sure the Board doesn’t find out all the details? They already know I can cloak. I’m okay with them finding out my dragon scales are impenetrable too. But please, I need your help making sure they don’t know the full truth. People’s lives are at stake if too many people find out.”
Simina’s dark brows drew in and she sat down on her stool. “I’m listening. Whether or not I agree depends on how it affects the other champions under my care.”
“It shouldn’t affect anyone but me, I promise. But when that blood test comes back, it isn’t just going to show that one of my ancestors was Sandrekar. It’s going to show that I’m pure-blooded Sandrekar. My entire family tree is made up of Sandrekar dragons, going as far back as you can remember—even farther. That has to remain a secret.”
Simina’s mouth dropped open. “That’s . . . not possible. The Sandrekar went extinct eons ago. All we remember of them now amount to myths in storybooks. But your abilities . . .” She blinked at Ksenia, her eyes widening. “Oh gods, your abilities! It was rare for a Sandrekar dragon to possess both cloaking and impenetrable hide. Two recessive traits would be highly unlikely to present at the same time. Ksenia . . . when you arrived in the clinic that day after the sandstorm . . . you weren’t out there for training, were you?”
Ksenia shook her head and gave her a pleading look. “No one can know the truth, Dr. Taji. My clan isn’t ready to come out of hiding. I can’t let anyone else find out until our leaders weigh the risks. It isn’t my decision to make.”
The doctor’s brow furrowed and she nodded, thinking. “Okay. I’ll have to fudge a few numbers in your test results . . . Do your mates know?”
“Yes. I couldn’t keep it a secret from them. I want to tell Astra too. Do you think I can trust her?”
“If she understands the stakes, yes. Astra’s someone I would trust with my life. Having just a few people close to you know will make it a little easier for me too. I can handle the rest. Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.”
17
Ksenia
It was as if a weight had been lifted once the League Board ruled that Ksenia was free and clear to compete in the duo tournament, provided she agreed to suppress her cloaking ability during arena matches. She and Astra dove into training with a vengeance the next day.
The days were closing in on the start of the duo tournament. The starting bracket hadn’t been released yet, but with Astra as Ksenia’s teammate, they were fairly certain the odds of them facing Silver Fangs early were slim to none.
A few days later, their expectations were confirmed. They were at opposite ends of the bracket, so they wouldn’t face the twins until the semifinals, assuming both their teams won all their matches between now and then. She and Astra had no doubts, and neither did their trainers—Ksenia’s mates, who had re-invested in the training as if their lives depended on it.
Astra’s three mates started showing up at the gym in the evenings, cheering them on for those last few days before their first duo match. It was Simon who chose their team name: the Fire Wraiths. He claimed it was because they both had an uncanny knack for ghostly stealth, even without