Synnr's Hope - Kate Rudolph Page 0,43

trainer at a safe facility. You are only being recorded when the lights are red.”

They were being recorded? What the hell? Lena hadn’t signed up for any of this and she didn’t want to live in the Big Brother house.

The voice kept going. “In the event of a serious injury or other reason, you may command me to halt the challenge. Any such halting will be judged and evaluated by your trainers.”

Fucking great. When had her life become some terrible reality show? Already she felt twitchy, knowing cameras were all around her. Sure, the voice said they weren’t recording, but she had no way to prove that.

“You may not remove food from the kitchen or bring in supplies from the village. All of your needs will be seen to. There are medkits in every room and hallway and I am equipped to provide instruction for certain medical procedures.”

“Are we prisoners?” It sounded that way. Matching with Solan had seemed like the simplest solution ever. Now she was wondering if it was the biggest mistake she’d ever made.

“You will be given at least one day of leave per every ten days spent here. On such days you are permitted to leave the facility and do as you please, provided you arrive back at the assigned time.”

“Okay.” Not exactly prisoners, but not free either. Sure, the house probably wouldn’t actually lock them inside, but there would be consequences if they left without leave.

“Do you have more questions?” the voice asked.

“Not right now.” She’d probably have a hundred later, but she couldn’t make sense of anything yet. “Will I be able to ask questions later?”

“Yes.”

Satisfied, Lena stopped trying to come up with anything else to ask. Instead, she looked through the cabinets until she found something to eat and scarfed it down. She’d had a vague plan to bring something back for Solan, but that was against the rules, so he’d have to fend for himself.

Hunger sated, she stared at the green light above the door. What kind of challenges would the house throw at them? How much danger were they really in? If they could stop the simulations because of injuries, that had to mean that injuries were possible, maybe even expected. Did people die in these houses? She opened her mouth to ask but snapped it shut. It was better not to know.

She couldn’t stay in the kitchen all night. Well, she could, but that would leave Solan in the dark. She didn’t know if the computer lady had informed him of the rules and she didn’t want him to face a challenge without knowing what was going on. But it still took another minute to convince herself to get up and abandon the safety of the kitchen.

There was no green light in the hall. She didn’t know where the indicator was located, but she didn’t see red either, so it was safe enough for the moment.

Still, she felt eyes on her. Probably the computer lady.

She walked quickly, counting her steps to keep track of the distance. She’d only made it four paces when the hallway plunged into darkness and a red light lit up behind her, above the kitchen.

Lena froze in place, tense and ready for whatever was about to be thrown her way.

Despite the second of warning, she wasn’t ready when something grabbed for her and she screamed.

CHAPTER TWELVE

SOLAN JOLTED OUT OF a light doze and was out of bed before he could process what was happening, heading for the door and into the hallway where he’d heard Lena scream. The sight that met him didn’t make any sense. It was dark as a winter night, only the flash of wings and a strange red light offering any illumination. Lena was caught between two Apsyn soldiers, punching and kicking furiously while she tried to get away.

How did they get here?

Was Aorsa under attack?

Why here?

The questions came at him fast but right now they didn’t matter. He unleashed his spark, sending it in a burst towards the soldiers. They seemed to flicker in and out of existence for a moment. It was enough to give Lena a chance to get away. She rolled backwards and swept her leg out, taking the closer soldier down with her.

“Use your spark!” Solan called. He could only offer so much support from a distance, but diving straight into the fray could just get them both captured.

“Fuck.” Lena’s wings flickered in and out for a moment before disappearing again, her control shot. But he’d seen