C.R. Daems - Kazak 2 - The Unthinkable Read Online Free PDF Page B

week, I let eight women go. They had worked hard but didn't stand a chance of passing the second Challenge, but I thought they would benefit from the experience and the year would not have been wasted.
    "Students, tomorrow you leave for the Hill. I believe you are as prepared as anyone could be for the challenges to come. Remember, the minute you set foot on the Hill you will be just another candidate. You will be told to leave the minute you disobey or ignore the rules or can't compete with the others. Good luck." I allowed them to invite friends and relatives to the gym for their final night-no sex or alcohol. Fredric prepared a delicious assortment of meals and desserts for the celebration. Two of the women decided to leave the program after talking with their family. Afterward, the nine women I considered eligible to compete were driven to the airport where they would begin their journey to the Hill, and I went to say goodbye to Jianyu.
    ***
    "I thank you for allowing me to participate in your program, Master Lynn. It has been a rewarding experience to watch those candidates being shaped into would-be Kazaks. Thanks to you, they are better prepared than you were. Your interview with Clare reinforced what I thought about you and the reason I have refused to let Gabe fight with you. Your awareness of a situation, your opponent's weaknesses and your response are close to simultaneous. But the ramifications of those actions take time to register in your mind. For the same reason, you were smart not to participate in Gabe's or my training sessions. I hope you will find time to visit me again." Jianyu bowed. I knew I would every chance I could. Jianyu had become a dear friend over the years.

CHAPTER TWO
    "Welcome to the Hill, Master Lynn," the head instructor on the Hill, Master Johar, said as I exited the helicopter. "I'm interested in seeing your candidates compete. Until you graced us with your presence, no one would have believed a woman could or would want to make Kazak. I suspect most consider you an anomaly and would wager the women you claim have passed an equivalent first Challenge will be eliminated by the third Challenge. However, knowing you trained them, I wouldn't take that bet." A small smile crossed his lips. "Come, I think we should welcome this year's candidates before they get too comfortable. The other Kazak instructors had assembled everyone-eighteen men and nine women. Johar walked to the front of the candidates and looked each in the eye.
    "You aren't here to have fun. If you came for fun, you came to the wrong place. We did not ask you to come here; therefore, you'll stay only as long as it takes us to find a reason to get rid of you," Johar said. I doubted any other school welcomed their freshmen class with such a message. He then turned to me. "Master Lynn, would you like to add anything?"
    "Thank you, Master Johar. I see by the smiles on a few faces that some of our candidates were not listening to you. While we allow you to stay, you will be celibate. If sex is more important than being a Kazak, I suggest you save us the trouble and leave now." Not only did the smiles disappear but frowns replaced them. I don't image the idea of no sex had crossed anyone's mind until now.
    That evening, all of the Kazaks on the Hill met in the building we referred to as the Temple, although it was only a marble building with no furniture or altar. It was used primarily for meditation and an occasional meeting of the Kazaks, since it was isolated and quiet. There were twelve of us. Except for me, they were retired either because of injuries or age or in rare cases, burnout.
    "Rumor has it you were out of control again and killed six innocent boys who wandered into your compound by mistake," Kazak Herbert the Tiger said trying his best to look serious, although the twitching of his lips spoiled it. The Hill received regular updates to the Lynn Board, which was meant to evaluate my Lynn's Rules for guarding clients. It