Hey riders! I'm sorry for not updating last week, I've been lacking motivation to write a full chapter recently but really wanted to put something out for you guys so I decided to write a couple of the bonus scenes you guys have requested. Please continue to send any requests in and hopefully I'll get some motivation back soon so I can get the next chapter out for you guys.
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This first bonus scene is Raya crossing the parapet through Xaden's eyes.
I turn towards the parapet when the guy ahead of Raya screams. He's gripping onto the stone, rain pouring down, Raya and her friend scream encouragement but the boy slips to his death. I turn back to Sorrengail, narrowing my eyes, "Why would I waste my energy killing you when the parapet will do it for me?" I watch as her eyes widen slightly at my remark, then quickly turn my attention back to my younger sister, "Don't you dare die out there. I just got you back."
"Please, I can skip across and still be fine. Maybe do a little spin?" Raya smirks, a mischievous twinkle in her onyx eyes.
I glare, "Don't test anything. Especially not in this weather."
"Yeah, yeah." Raya waves my concern off, "See you later. Can't wait to meet Sgaeyl." She turns towards Sorrengail and the other girl, "Good luck. Hope to see you both on the other side."
She steps onto the soaked parapet, strands of her hair whip into her face, but she does nothing to push them away. I watch closely, I don't care that we're not supposed to help any of the cadets cross, if I see her slip, I'm sending my shadows to help. "I won't tell." Sgaeyl's voice enters my head. She knows how protective I am of Raya, how I would do anything to make sure she makes it. Though I doubt she'll actually need my help.
Raya slowly kneels down, right foot in front of her. I narrow my eyes, watching as she unties the lace of her boot, pulling off the sock and shoe. I bite the inside of my cheek, "She can't be serious?"
"She seems very serious to me." Sgaeyl replies, she's watching Raya through my eyes. Raya stands back up, moving her left foot in front of her and repeating the process of taking off her shoe and sock. She holds both of her shoes in either hand to keep her balanced.
She raises to her full height but doesn't move forward. My eyes flicker past her, noticing the brunette guy still on the parapet. He should had been off by now with the delays of the other cadet falling and Raya stopping to take her shoes off. But instead, he stares my sister down, watching her closely.
I use my shadows to listen to their conversation, "Dude, are you going to continue?" Raya says. The guy smirks at her, slowly taking a dagger out of a sheath at his ribs. "You've gotta be fucking kidding me." Raya mumbles to myself.
My glare hardens and I tense, this asshole is going to try and kill her, she hasn't even made it across the fucking parapet and someone is already trying to kill her. "You can't protect her from everything." Sgaeyl comments.
"Yeah, I know." I snap at Sgaeyl, she huffs in response. I usually try not to take an angry tone with Sgaeyl since she can hold a grudge but I need to focus. I need to allow Raya the chance to prove herself, to defeat this guy on her own, but I can't help but want to curve a shadow around the cadet and toss him off the parapet myself. If I need to help, it can't be obvious.
Raya ties the ends of her shoelaces together, placing them over her neck like a scarf to free her hands. She reaches for a dagger at her thigh, then talks to the guys once more, "Last chance to continue before I kill you." He's bigger than her but I need to believe that Raya can win this. Despite the odds being against her, I know how she fights, I know she's faced bigger opponents and won.
The guy scoffs, "I'd like to see you try." He beckons her forward. Raya squares her shoulders, then charges. She's fast, faster than the guy thought she would be. His eyes slightly widen at her speed, and I hear the section leader for tail section send Raya's friend across. Sorrengail is the only one left from their little group.
Raya drops to a slide, gliding across the wet stone. She kicks her leg out, sending the other cadet crashing down. He gasps for breath as Raya stands back up. I allow my body to relax a bit, she has this handled. The guys tries holding up his dagger but Raya stomps on his arm, a crack is heard across the open space. His dagger falls out of his limp hand, dropping to the ravine below. She bends down, dagger to his throat, "Should had walked away when you had the chance." Before he can beg for his life, she slits his throat.
Raya sheaths her dagger, then searches his body for more weapons to collect, before pushing him off the parapet to clear the way. I smirk, "Ruthless as ever. She'll be fine here."
"And yet you still worry, despite telling me she'd do fine since we bonded." Sgaeyl says. Raya's walking across the rest of the parapet now, allowing her friend to continue as well.
"She's my sister, I'm always going to worry about her, even knowing her capabilities." I watch as she takes the last step off the parapet, officially becoming a cadet.
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The second bonus scene is the Raya and Liam sparring match from Dain's POV
I've been on the sidelines watching as each squad member went through their sparring matches. Rhiannon just won her match, she steps off the mat walking back towards the first years. I catch Violet's eye causing her to send me a small smile. I'm always nervous for her during matches but she's been doing surprisingly well. "Raya and Liam." Professor Emetterio calls out.
Every eye in the room finds one of the two first years. Both are undefeated and though I don't trust Raya, I hope she wins. "Cheering on someone you claim is an enemy?" Cath teases.
"She's in my squad," I roll my eyes, "Of course I want her to win." My eyes flick back to the group as Liam makes his way towards the mat. I quickly find Raya, my eyes widening as I see her peel the shirt off her body. I quickly mask my surprise, I feel my heart thud in my chest.
She flings her shirt at Ridoc, who's gaping like a fish, before walking confidently up to the mat. "What are you doing?" Liam hisses, just loud enough for me to hear from my position on the side of the mat. I'd like to know that too.
Raya smirks, "Using all of my assets to ensure a win." She doesn't try and lower her voice when she answers.
I cross my arms, standing straighter as I wait for the match to begin. "Fighting me without a shirt isn't going to be a distraction." Liam replies.
"You say that now, but I know you better than that. Using daggers okay?" Raya asks, my eyes flicker back to her. She holds herself with confidence, clearly not caring about the other cadets staring at her.
Liam nods, but doesn't move to pull a dagger out. My gaze flickers to Xaden, he's glaring at his sister. Raya either doesn't notice or doesn't care. "Begin." Emetterio calls out.
I turn my head back to the match. Raya tilts her head, beckoning Liam to make the first move. It's something I've noticed she does almost every time she fights. She'd rather start on defense, watch how her opponent fights than throw the first punch. Liam lunges but Raya quickly dodges. Her smirk grows as she uses her left foot to trip Liam.
He catches himself before he falls to the mat. She arches an eyebrow. There's a sparkle in her onyx eyes. Raya's in her element on the mat, she moves almost gracefully, like she's dancing. Liam lunges again causing Raya to side step, but Liam grabs a hold of her arm. He twists Raya, throwing her to the mat.
I clench my jaw, I know she's not hurt but I also know that Liam is one of the most skilled first years and I really don't want Raya losing against him. Or against anyone for that matter. Catch hums, "Not just cheering her on but being protective."
"Squadmate." I say again, reminding Cath that that's the only reason why I care about her well being. Liam forces the dagger from her hand. Raya whispers something to him before kneeing him in the groin. I flinch, "Cheap shot." Liam groans.
He's not wrong. Raya moves, pinning Liam to the mat, "All is fair when you're at war." Also not wrong.
Do you yield, Mairi?" Raya asks, she's so quiet, I almost don't hear her. I flicker my gaze down her body, seeing if there's a way for him to get out. She's straddling his thigh, one leg pinning his right arm down, the other knee pressed to his groin. She holds the dagger to his throat, and the other hand is holding his free arm to the mat.
I swallow hard seeing the position shes in. I hear Cath chortle but he doesn't say anything. Liam tries to move so Raya presses the dagger closer to his neck. "I yield." Liam says loud enough for the room to hear him.
Raya smirks again, she leans down to kiss Liam's cheek as she sheaths her dagger. She pulls a dagger out of one of Liam's sheaths, whispers something to him, then finally, backs away. Once she's standing, she holds a hand out to Liam, helping him up. Raya turns on her heel, turns around, heading back to the squad. She twirls the dagger she won off Liam around, spinning it through her fingers, and I swear to the gods I've never seen something more attractive.
My eyes snap away from her. I shake my head, willing the thought to leave my mind. Yes, Raya is attractive but she's still a Riorson and I'm her squad leader. My eyes flicker back to the group but this time I find Violet. Violet is just as beautiful, and there's a history between us. "You're not very good at deciphering your feelings." Cath says.
I roll my eyes, "I'm fine at knowing my feelings. But I also know to follow logic."