Kalev’s POV

The impact knocked the breath right out of me.

I hit the ground on my shoulder and rolled once through damp forest ground. Then I came up on one knee without hesitation. I managed to control the landing as best I could, but the world still tilted slightly as my body adjusted to the impact.

They had tossed us out of the helicopter. Unlike other participants, we didn’t get the luxury of landing in water. Instead, we were hurled through the air to land on hard ground.

I took a moment to catch my breath. The two other nobles I was with stood up. Their eyes were terrified....