“We do not deal with matters of politics during the trials,” said Saber.
“This isn’t really about politics,” Alex said. “It’s about—”
“You will not speak out of turn, human,” Azalia said with slitted eyes.
Frustrated, Alex wondered how she was supposed to know whether she could talk or not if some of their statements were questions while others weren’t.
“Saber Karn speaks true,” Radek said. “We do not discuss politics while the trials are in session.”
Another long pause, which Alex hoped meant she could again attempt speech.
She took a chance and asked, “How long do the trials last?”
“Until a victor is named,” Azalia answered. “Usually no more than a week.”
A week. That wasn’t great, but it also wasn’t terrible. Hopefully Aven wouldn’t do anything drastic in that time, and Alex would still be able to warn the elders before he acted.
“However,” Azalia continued, “we will not discuss politics with anyone until the celebrations have concluded.”
“Do you mean like a party?” Alex asked. “When does it finish?”
“Sunrise,” Saber answered. Before adding, “After the next full moon.”
Alex’s mouth dropped open.
A month? They partied for a whole month?
“You’re not serious?” she gasped out.
The shadows around the elders rose up suddenly, like snakes hissing with fury.
“Watch your tone, human,” said Azalia sharply. “Remember who you stand before.”
This was ridiculous. It was utterly ridiculous. Here she was, trying to warn them about an impending threat, and they wanted to throw a month-long party before they would hear a single word from her.
“My warning can’t wait,” Alex said, not caring that she was using both a firm tone and speaking out of turn. “You need to listen to me. Aven Dal—”
“Enough!” Azalia cried, her voice like thunder, but Alex refused to be interrupted.
“—marta is coming. He has an entire arm—”
Suddenly, Alex’s words were cut off as shadows surrounded her, stealing her voice and choking the air from her lungs. Gagging, she heard Caspar Lennox and, surprisingly, Shirez, interceding on her behalf, but she was too focused on not suffocating to hear what they were saying. Then, in an instant, her asphyxiation eased and she was able to breathe again.
Unable to help herself, she glared at the three elders while sucking in gasps of oxygen. But she also held her tongue while she did so.
“Caspar Lennox advocates strongly for you, Alexandra Jennings,” Radek said. “My granddaughter, too.” He sounded just as baffled by the last as Alex was. “Despite that, we will not allow you to force our attention.”
Alex wanted to throw something at him. At all of them.
“However,” Radek said, and she hastily retracted her previous thought, “you may have the opportunity to earn that attention.”
Alex stilled, feeling both curious and wary about how she might manage such a feat.
“If you wish to speak freely before the conclusion of the vatali targo and its accompanying celebrations,” Saber took up the conversation, “then you shall have to claim the right to do so.”
Clearing her throat in the silence that followed, Alex risked asking, “And how would I do that?”
“Compete in the trials,” answered Azalia, her smug tone showing how amused she was by the idea. “Prove that you’re worthy of our consideration, and we will listen to anything you have to say.”
Twenty-One
At the elders’ offer, Alex’s eyes flickered down to the combatants below and her breath became trapped in her chest again—but this time the shadows weren’t responsible for her choked sensation.
“All you have to do is win a single round,” Radek said, following her gaze. He raised his hands in what would normally account for a conciliatory gesture and finished, “Or you can decline, and we will meet with you again in a month.”
Alex didn’t know what to say.
“We are aware that you are only human and our offer is unprecedented for one of your kind, so there is no shame in refusing,” Saber told her, his melodic voice almost kind. But all Alex heard was the ‘you are only human’ dig, and it was enough to keep her frustration boiling steadily under the surface.
Looking at the blurring Shadow Walkers twirling amidst the purple fire down on the floor, Alex carefully considered the offer. She’d come a long way thanks to her training with Niyx, but this was something else entirely. Without actually being down there in the flaming arena, she had no way of knowing how she’d fare against the shadowy race.
In her favour was that they were also mortal, and it appeared they had neither the enhanced speed nor the fighting grace of the Meyarins that she had at her disposal. But their ability to travel through the shadows was no small advantage, when her feet would be firmly stuck on the ground.
Unsure, she reached out to the one person who knew her skills better than anyone, sending Niyx an image of what she was looking at and telling him of the offer she’d been given.
I say stuff them, Aeylia, came his unwavering response. If they’re not willing to listen without making you bust your ass to earn it, then they’re not worth warning. Just leave them to their fate.
Are you saying that because we don’t need them, or because you’re not sure I can win?
Kitten, even I would have trouble winning against six Shadow Walkers in a closed environment like that, and that’s with the Valispath putting me on more equal footing, Niyx replied.
It’s two against one, not six, Alex pointed out, as if those odds would make much difference.
Only for the earlier rounds, Niyx said. The more trials pass, the more opponents the champions have to face. He paused and added, You might have a chance—a slim chance—if they let you enter this round and you only have to go up against two of them. But I won’t lie, Aeylia, it will be a challenge I’m not sure you’re ready for.
Alex hesitated. Is it a fight to the death?
No, thank the light, Niyx answered. But that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. So if you do this, proceed with caution. And by the stars, whatever you do, don’t touch that fire.
That much I figured out on my own, thanks, Alex returned dryly, before listening to him wish her good luck and leaving her to her decision.
She turned back to the elders and confirmed, “If I win a single round—one round—you’ll listen?”
All three heads dipped in agreement. Caspar Lennox, however, was shaking his wildly, while Shirez gave nothing away.
“Fine,” Alex said, ignoring her teacher as well as her uneasy stomach. “When do we do this?”
The three elders glanced at each other, their expressions ranging from surprise to speculation and amusement. As they did so, a deafening cheer rose up from the ground as the current match came to an end.
“If you’re certain,” Radek said slowly, as if giving her a chance to rescind her acceptance, “then I suppose there is no time like the present.”