That didn’t sound good. Mina glanced around. More than a few of the girls looked a little unsure and scared.
“On the pedestal is a knife. You must prick your finger and let a drop of your blood mingle in the water. Blood is power, and the water will sort out the weak from the strong. Also it will determine your heart and your reasons for being here.”
The room fell silent. Mina swallowed. Her anxiety had just quadrupled.
The crystal bowl of water sat ominously on the pedestal waiting to decide the future of the twelve girls.
It was Annalora who asked the question that was plaguing everyone’s mind. “How?”
“Your blood will make the crystal bowl or the water react in different ways.” Lucian stepped forward, picked up the palm-sized dagger, and pressed it against the tip of his finger. When a small drop of blood pooled there, he let it drip into the bowl. Immediately, the water within the bowl swirled and began to flash and sparkle.
After a few seconds, the flashing stopped and the water settled. King Lucian placed the knife back on the pedestal and motioned with his arm for the girls to proceed.
Mina searched Teague’s face, trying to see behind the indifferent mask he wore for everyone.
Annalora approached first—probably hoping that by being brave and showing confidence, she would make an impression on the Fates. She winced as the knife pricked her finger and quickly, without hesitating, shook a small drop into the bowl. The crystal bowl turned gold and glittered like a snow globe newly shaken. Annalora couldn’t hide the pleased smile that bloomed across her face. She looked to the Fates and waited for their verdict.
“Very good, Annalora. Follow Wilsey through the doors, and he will take you to the prepping room.” Her confidence paid off.
Annalora curtsied. Then, with her head held high, exited through the doors they had entered.
Mina would have given anything to be in her shoes at this moment. It didn’t even matter if she got to complete the quest. She just didn’t want to be caught and executed for being an imposter. Could this test prove she wasn’t Fae?
“All right. Who’s next?” Lucian called out.
Ever raised her hand, and the girls stepped out of her way as she moved to the crystal bowl. She picked up her knife and pricked her finger, eagerly moving it over the bowl. The water turned a deep blue, but—although it glittered—it wasn’t with the strength of Annalora’s blood. Ever’s face flushed red, and she looked up at Teague hopefully. He seemed pleased.
Lucian nodded his head and motioned to the door. The servant Wilsey stepped in again and beckoned for Ever to follow him out. The girls that were left gathered themselves into a line, and Mina was stuck in the middle of the pack. Would it be considered rude if she made everyone else go in front of her? Two more girls passed the test and left the room, leaving eight girls to face the blood trial. The seconds were dragging by and Mina was finding it very difficult to not stare continually at the exit door.
The next girl, the fuchsia-colored fairy, cut her finger a little too deep and dropped more than a few drops into the bowl. The water stilled. The bright red blood pooled along the top but failed to make either the bowl or the water react. The girl plunged her hand into water and swirled it around, leaving a ribbon like trail of blood. Despite her desperate efforts, there was no reaction. She waited and watched the bowl, tucking her bottom lip between her teeth. Her eyes flickered between the Fates and the bowl. It had returned to its crystalline state.
“I’m sorry, Fuchsia, but you will not be chosen.”
Her face scrunched up with unshed tears as she tried to keep from breaking down. One of the girls in line behind her gave her a quick parting hug, which set off the waterworks before she was escorted out of the room. Teague seemed annoyed with the tear-filled goodbyes happening in front of him.
That was it? Suddenly, a failing test didn’t seem so bad to Mina. There was actually hope. Twice more the crystal bowl performed, showing off the girls’ power. Shaya’s blood made the water rise out of the bowl and dance. Estellya’s made the water freeze.
Ferah, a beautiful young elf with red hair and pointed ears, approached for her test. She seemed calm and collected, but during her test, the water turned black.
Unlike they had in reaction to Fuchsia’s failure, the Fates rose up in alarm. “An assassin,” Lucian announced.
Ferah pulled a small knife from the folds of her dress and lunged toward Teague.
“Watch out!” Mina cried, rushing forward and grabbing for Ferah’s wrist. She tried to wrestle the knife from her hand, but couldn’t get her to drop it. Instead, acting on instinct, she pulled the girl toward her and spun, using her hips to flip the girl onto the tile floor in a pile of tulle and silk.
The knife skittered across the floor.
Seeing that she was defeated, Ferah got up, gathered her skirts, and ran for the door.