Page 62 of Faerie Trials

She transformed into her usual crow form and darted out the window. I watched her fly off until she became a speck on the horizon, and I felt lighter than I had all day. Bronwen was a good friend.

Grateful for the reprieve, I wasted no time changing into pajamas and snuggling under the covers. But when I finally fell asleep, it was with the weight of the Faerie world on my shoulders, and I didn’t dream.

24

Istood with the rest of the students from the Elite Academy waiting for the buzzer to sound and launch Trial Two. We were gathered outside of the castle on the green space where the Summer Carnival had been set up. My legs were like stone and the rest of me just as hard. Nerves, I knew. But knowing didn’t make me feel any better.

A crowd had gathered on the vast green meadow at the edge of the forest to watch the proceedings, with who knew how many waiting at the base of the mountain at our final destination, to see exactly what we would do and how creative we got with our spells. Behind me were people from the palace, as well as school officials, members of the Elder Council, and friends and family cheering us on. Overhead there were orbs floating from the news networks. Real-time coverage for the many viewers who could not be here in person.

I wasn’t sure I had a handle on my magic. Not one bit. Glancing around at the rest of the students who’d made it through to round two, I knew I should be worried. They were much better than me. None of them looked like they were ready to bend over and spill their guts.

But I remembered what Juno had said during one of our first tutoring sessions: I had more power than I thought. I simply needed to find a way to release it. Maybe she was right, maybe not. Mike and I had briefly discussed our plans for today but not in any detail after I’d alienated him in the library.

Yeah, good going on that. Idiot.

Anxious energy skittered along my arms until my hair stood on end and I shook my hands to try and get rid of those nerves. This wasn’t any way to behave. The others expected me to be a failure. No need for me to act—

Two arms came around my neck and I screamed.

“Girl! It’s me. Calm yourself.”

Immediately I drew in a breath filled with Melia’s familiar scent. Eyes closed, I turned around and grabbed onto her, my head against her collarbone because of our height difference.

“I wanted to come out and support you today, tell you good luck,” she said into my hair. “I know you’ve got this. Just like I know you are probably freaking out and telling yourself you are going to trip over your own two feet.”

“I definitelydon’thave this,” I replied quickly.

“Of course you do! Remember who taught you? Yes, I’m referring to myself and my absolutely fabulous mentoring skills, showing you the ropes when you had no one else. I know there are a few tricks up your sleeve that none of the other students have going for them. Not to mention you are quick and resourceful. You showed everyone in the mortal world what you were made of.” She scoffed. “This? This is nothing compared to what you’ve been through.”

“This could kill me.”

“So could Kendrick Grimaldi when he kidnapped you. Yet here you stand, stronger than ever. Have I told you how proud I am of you?”

She had, and it meant the world to me.

I could have held on to Melia forever. But she gently pushed back and our eyes met, my lips quivering a little. “I wish there were a spell to transfer your confidence into me,” I told her. “Because I am about to either freak out or puke. Maybe both at the same time.”

“Do you remember how nervous you were about the first culling? When you didn’t think you would make it through? And what about the lottery?” She held up her fingers for air quotes around the last word. “You thought you were going to panic then but you didn’t. What happened to you during the first Trial was nothing but sheer bad luck. It’s not going to happen again.”

“You’re right,” I said, more for her benefit than for my own.

Today the school had let us wear whatever we wanted, anything to make us more comfortable for the long trip to the base of the mountains. I’d forgone the usual school blazer and went with a trusty pair of yoga pants and a navy-blue long-sleeved t-shirt against the slight chill in the air. Typical clothing for shifting, although no one knew that.

I had my long hair done in a braid hanging along my spine, and I wore a worried expression. Which was the perfect accessory for today’s task.

“I just want this all to be over.”

Melia gave me a somewhat stern smile. She meant business. Gold sparked in her eyes and if I didn’t know her inside and out, I’d say she might have a little wolf in her blood, too. “And it will be, soon. I’m going to be waiting for you at the finish line with a drink and some chocolate. Know that whatever you choose to do will be the right thing because not a one of these spoiled, pampered buttholes has anything on you, Tavi. Got it?”

I nodded and gave her a tiny grin.

Melia finished what she considered to be the best pep talk in the history of pep talks before melting back into the crowd. I looked around for Bronwen but I didn’t see her.

Too late, it was show time.

I didn’t have time to worry. I didn’t have time to find Mike and tell him I was sorry before the buzzer sounded, the Trial began, and I had to go.

It’s time.

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