Page 24 of Ironhold, Trial One

“No,” she says. “Those such as yourself are brought in because Aetheria wants to control those with power and feed its own power. It says it is the center of the world, the heart of all magic. It says that magic flows out from it. So when there are those with power beyond its walls, they must be made a part of it, or destroyed.”

I think I understand that. “You're saying that they throw us into these bouts, and if we die it doesn't matter because it gets rid of a magic user who would otherwise be outside the city. And if we succeed…”

“Then you get a position within Aetheria,” Ravenna says. “You are co-opted by it. It is really quite a neat arrangement. Especially when it comes to someone such as yourself with such obvious powers.”

I shake my head. “All I can do is talk to animals.”

“You didn't justtalkto that shadow cat. You summoned it to your side. You gave it commands without speaking. That makes you something different, something… forbidden.”

That brings another shake of my head. “I didn't do anything.”

She looks me deep in the eyes. “I wonder, Lyra, do you really believe that?”

The question seems to seep into me. It's as if Ravenna can see deep into my soul, as if she can explore every depth I have. She's still staring at me when a figure bursts into the room. The noise is enough to snap me out of staring at her.

“Alaric,” Ravenna says. “Such a pleasant surprise. You hardly ever visit me these days.”

“Leave her alone, Ravenna,” Alaric snaps. “Using your powers on people like that is rude.”

“Of course. After all, I've discovered what I need. Lyra really doesn’t know how powerful she is. Which means she did all that without thinking. It makes her… even more interesting.”

“Not to you,” Alaric says in a firm tone. He holds out a hand to me. “Lyra, we're leaving.”

I take his hand. It feels as though my head is clearer. I realize that I haven't been thinking straight almost from the moment I met Ravenna. I look over to her.

“What did you do?”

Alaric answers that one. “Ravenna’s talent is for controlling minds. I've seen her make an opponent turn their own blade against themselves.”

“You do me too much credit, Alaric,” she says. “I merely found the part of Piero thatwantedto die. And I do not mean Lyra here that kind of harm.”

“No, you just want to wrap her up in whatever your schemes are this time,” Alaric says. He pulls my arm and we both start to hurry from the room.

Ravenna gives him a sad smile. “I am not her enemy, or yours, Alaric. Lyra, thank you for coming here. If you ever wish to return, you're free to do so. And I will be keeping a careful eye on your progress.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

“Don’t just duck,” Rowan says. “Strike back!”

I roll out of the way of a blow, but cannot avoid the next. Rowan’s wooden blade comes to rest against my throat.

I am able to practice with wooden weapons against people now, but I still don't like striking out at my opponents with them. I'm fine when we just run through sequences of moves, but actually lashing out at them in even mock combat is still a problem for me.

“You can't just be defensive,” Rowan insists. “You had an opportunity there to strike with your trident. You need to take those chances.”

“I'm not sure if I can,” I say.

“You must,” Rowan says. He seems to train with me more than he needs to. He is powerful and strong, a good match for almost anyone there, but instead he takes the time to work out with me. I know our practices must be frustrating for him. An opponent who does not attack him is hardly a real challenge.

“Maybe you should work with someone else,” I say.

He shakes his head. “I don't want to work with someone else. I want you to fight back. Think of it this way. If you don't, then I'm not getting proper practice. I need to learn to defend, too. Are you going to put me in danger, Lyra, by not letting me practice correctly?”

I know he has a point, even though I also know he's trying to force me into practicing the way he wants. Can I have it on my conscience if Rowan is hurt because he has spent so much time helping me?

I know I cannot, and so I start to fight back, jabbing with my trident, sweeping my net around to try to catch his legs. He deflects the attacks with his small shield and cuts at me with hiswooden sword, so that I am forced to keep moving. My attacks buy me space to avoid his blows, and when he leaves an opening, I move forward.

It's a trick. Rowan also moves in, so that now we're in grappling range, and he takes me to the floor, landing on top of me. For a moment, we are just inches apart, his strength holding me there. I can't help thinking about how easy it would be to reach out and kiss him. Maybe that shows on my face because he's looking deep into my eyes, as if he's unable to look away. As if I somehow had the kind of powers Ravenna has.

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