I haven't seen Kye in a week, and it was a blessing in disguise.

I couldn't stand the way he glared at me while we trained, or the way he watched me while we walked down the hallways.

His presence was the constant reminder of his betrayal, and the way he tore my heart into two.

But as these months go on, --the endless amount of training and time with James-- I found myself give into the brainwashing, my emotions blank as I grabbed my tray of food each day, or slept in the private room I was given.

What I couldn't stop from flooding my brain was the nagging at my mind, the feeling of uneasiness settling in my chest.

I knew at some point, a deal was or to be made with James, a deal I knew involved me.

I was training for an upcoming war between our families, where I would have to fight against my own.

But something told me that wasn't all that was involved, I just hoped I could find a way out of it in time.

"I can't believe you beat his ass," Tori said, watching me as I sat down at the table, the dull tray of food in my hands.

I shrugged off her comment, grabbing the glass of water that sat in the middle of the table.

"She's being her, "I don't talk to anyone," mode again," Max said, using his two fingers as air quotes.

He let out a groan when Tori shoved him in the shoulder, using his other hand to rub the spot where she had hit and his eyes to glare at her.

"I'm not," I gritted out. "I just have nothing to say that's all."

"Mhm," he said suspiciously, "you have nothing to say how you knocked out someone twice your weight?" he continued on. "Liar."

I rolled my eyes, taking another swig of my water, clearing the dryness of my throat.

"It was nothing," I said again, "easy."

Tori snorted, "oh yeah, for sure nothing."

"Okay fine, let's switch the subject, yeah?" I said, grabbing my fork and picking at my food.

They both let out a chuckle, starting to eat at their trays too.

I almost wanted to throw up when I looked down at the lump of mashed potatoes and the unsaturated beans.

"You'd think they would give us something different each day," Max said, "this is fucking disgusting."

I pushed my tray away, unable to eat what sat in front of me.

"You need to eat something," Tori said, "we have training tonight remember?"

I mentally groaned.

"Kye wants us to fight again."

Fuck

"I'm so sick and tired of his bullshit," I mumbled out, "he just needs to calm the fuck down."

They both agreed, still picking at their food as we continued to talk about tonight's training, and who we will be fighting.

"Well look who it is," Tori said, pointing her fork towards the entrance of the dining hall. "Speak of the devil."

I felt anger build up inside me as I watched who walked through those doors.

His stern face looking down at the young trainee girl, her eye lashes batting up at him as he continued to walk forward.

"The tensions building up again," Max chuckled, and I kicked him from under the table.

"When are you going to tell us what happened between the two of you?" Tori asked, and I turned back around, facing them again.

"Never." I said quietly, taking a deep breath and letting go of the dangerous feeling inside my chest, a bottled up emotion that I needed to release.

"I'm going to go practice," I said, quickly standing up and turning around.

"Fuck-" I heard someone groan out, and I backed away, balancing myself.

I straightened my back, my eyes narrowing as I looked at who stood in front of me, the blonde girl still beside him.

Both of us didn't move, or speak a word as we glanced at each other, and I brushed off the uneasiness.

"Santiago." I mumbled out.

"Aliyah," he said, his eyes sweeping over me quickly, "I was just talking about you," he said tightly.

I didn't say anything, waiting for him to continue on.

"Carly needs help training," he said, his voice holding no emotion, the only movement from him was his eyes directly on mine.

"No."

"You don't have a choice."

My eyes dragged towards hers, slightly tilting my head down to look at her.

I filled my eyes with disgust, matching the look of distaste on hers. Clearly she was looking for a more "manly" trainer.

"No." I stated again, "I don't want to help anyone."

I turned to move away, not saying goodbye as I made movement to take a step forward, but a hand caught my arm, keeping me in place as I felt his chest against my back, and his hot breath in my ear.

"You will listen to me Aliyah," he said dangerously. "Or I promise you, I'll kill you on the battle field myself."

I narrowed my eyes again, my body fuming with anger as I shrugged out of his grip.

I turned around, walking backwards, balling my rage inside me as I glared down at her and back up to him.

"Whatever you say, Kye." I spat, walking away from the both of them and back into the training room.