Violet Eden Chapters 04 - Endless

doors open to the massive room and I entered my official Grigori testing.
    Lincoln stood just inside the doors and I paused only to hand him my dagger. I wasn’t permitted to have it in the testing but I trusted no one else with it. His eyes met mine briefly, reflecting nothing but confidence.
    Rainer took her seat with theother Assembly members, and I assumed my position in the centre of the room. Grigori lined the walls and more people watched on from the large balcony above. I spotted Griffin standing with Zoe and Spence, their attempts at hiding their concern not exactly successful.
    ‘Violet Eden,’ Drenson addressed me.
    ‘Yes,’ I answered, trying to appear at ease.
    ‘Do you come here today willingly to submit to Grigori testing?’
    ‘Yes.’
    Drenson was so formal, but I could see the challenge in his eyes.
    ‘Are you willing to recognise the Assembly as your superior council and abide by the decisions that are made here today?’
    It was a loaded question and we all knew it. But I couldn’t back down now. The only thing I could do was pass the tests if I wanted to maintain not only my position in the Grigori community, but Lincoln’s position as well. As my partner, whatever happened to me, affected him directly.
    ‘Yes,’ I replied, noting Josephine’s smirk.
    She sat to Drenson’s left, wearing a steel-grey pantsuit, her hair tied up in a French roll that looked too soft for her features.
    ‘Let’s begin, then,’ Drenson said.
    A senior instructor stepped forward and began calling out movements for me to perform. After all of Rainer’s training the actions came as easily as though I was doing them in my sleep, but I ensured I completed each one carefully.
    Satisfied, Drenson stood up again and gestured to a woman stationed by a door to his left. When it opened, three senior Grigori entered the room and stood on the edge of the sparring floor. Each one dressed in black loose-fitting fighting clothes. The first carried two traditional Dragonfly katanas, the second, two Grigori daggers, while the third simply held his palms up, empty handed.
    ‘Selectyour weapon,’ Drenson instructed me.
    Frankly, I was surprised.
    Am I really being given a choice of weapon and opponent?
    Out of the corner of my eye I saw Rainer leaning across her chair talking to Valerie and Hakon, her hands chopping through the air. Whatever she knew, it wasn’t good.
    Okay. Be smart.
    I looked at the weapons. There was no doubt the dagger was my best option, but then again, it was also weapon of choice for most Grigori. Bare hands were okay, but like Rainer had said, I was strongest with tools.
    I stared at the katanas. I was good with them. I could be better, but then again, I always felt that I could do more. Something about holding a katana felt natural.
    It was a risk, but I took it, moving into position opposite the Grigori holding the two Dragonfly swords.
    ‘You have selected your weapon?’ Drenson asked.
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘Then take it in hand and assume your place on the floor.’
    I did as instructed, taking one of the katanas, twisting the handle as I resumed my post. I couldn’t help but notice that Rainer was looking decidedly unhappy.
    I waited for the senior Grigori holding the other katana to move in opposite me, but he stayed where he was. My eyes started skirting the area, looking for movement, for any indication of who would be my challenger.
    The tension in the room waspalpable, everyone wondering the same thing. I darted a look at Josephine, her grin was widening.
    Finally, I saw why.
    Decima had stood up, letting her overcoat slip to the floor to reveal her all-white fighting wear.
    I’m dead.
    The room roared with a deafening silence. Decima stalked like a tiger, moving first to take the other Dragonfly katana and then into position opposite me. Suddenly, my clever weapon selection seemed stupid.
    Shit.
    She didn’t look at me. Her head remained bowed to the ground.
    ‘First to draw blood three times wins,’ Drenson said, satisfaction sounding in his voice. It was enough to make me stand a little taller. ‘Are you both ready?’
    I nodded. Now or later, I didn’t think it would make much difference. Josephine and Drenson had sabotaged my testing.
    I felt Lincoln’s power caress me, his way of telling me he was there with me. I let it flow over me for a moment, basking in the strength of our partnership before I pulled back into myself, locking down everything else and focusing on the