Page 8 of Ironhold, Trial Three

It is a side of the power that I am not comfortable with, even though I have used it in the past. I have forced a chimera to tear itself apart, each element fighting the others. I have taken over a frost drake and used it as a weapon in the arena. I have done all of these things, but that still doesn't mean I'm comfortable with that side of these powers.

“What do you mean by more?” I ask.

“You can bring back a fraction of a creature’s attributes,” Lady Elara says. “Depending on which one you choose you might be able to see in the dark, or have their strength. There are some among us who can make their nails like claws, or poison people with venomous bites.”

I shudder at the thought of changing myself into a weapon, risking my humanity like that.

“Don't dismiss it so quickly,” Lady Elara says. “I'm not saying you have to take on those more extreme attributes. But some ofthem may be useful, and you’ve already done it a little. Or did you think all that dodging in the arena was just down to seeing through the eyes of the birds? You borrowed their reflexes as well, their knack for wheeling and turning, avoiding the attacks of predators. Don’t tell me that isn’t useful.”

“So what are you not telling me about this?” I ask her. She looks too eager as she stands there on the dais beneath the goddess. There's obviously something she's not telling me. There always is. Lady Elara does not let me into her full plans, even though it seems I'm central to them.

She wants a beast whisperer to be seen to do well in the arena, to gain the love and support of the watching crowds, to show them that we are not just animals. She thinks that might help to undo some of the persecution sent our way. But she also thinks I might be able to play a role in bringing down the corrupt system of Aetheria, and overthrowing the emperor to put in one who might treat the people well. I'm not sure if I want to risk everything like that.

Because I am the one risking everything. I'm the only beast whisperer people know exists. Lady Elara hides behind her skills with illusions, not showing the other side of her powers. The other members of the spectral covenant either hide themselves the same way or stay below ground. I am the one they are holding up, hoping that I will be able to make a change. It means I'm also the one who bears the brunt of any anger.

“Just try,” Lady Elara says. “Find one animal here and connect to it.”

I reach out with my power. It is so much more difficult with the dampener in place, but I can feel the presence of a small lizard on the wall. I have to focus so much to be able to strengthen that contact into a true connection.

“Good,” Lady Elara looks pleased by that. “Now borrow from it. Such a creature can see in every direction. Borrow that sensefrom it. Picture what you want to take, reach out and pull it along the thread of your power.”

I'm breathing hard with the effort of it, beads of sweat breaking out on my body. I feel like someone with only a glimmer of power trying to match the workings of an archon. And yet I feel something coming back along the connection between me and the lizard. I blink, and a moment later, it's as if I can see so much more of the temple. I can see everything there.

I can see Lady Elara swinging a stick at me from behind. I reach out and catch it without thinking. That only makes her smile.

“There, I knew you could do it. Now let the power go. You wouldn't want to be stuck with lizard eyes.”

The thought of that makes me abandon my control, letting go of what I've taken. I hear a sound of pain from the side of the room, and I hurry over to see the lizard lying dead on the floor.

“What? What happened?” I demand looking around at Lady Elara.

“The creature clearly wasn't strong enough to withstand giving so much of itself to you,” she says. “That can happen sometimes.”

“You never said that was a possibility,” I say, feeling as though I've been tricked. I feel sick at the sight of the dead lizard. It has died, and for what? To let me practice a skill that I never wanted in the first place?

“If I had, would you have tried?” she asks. “The nature of our power can be cruel, Lyra. I don't know how many times I have to say that. But we are working for the good of all the people of Aetheria. You must put aside your qualms and do whatever is necessary.”

“This wasn't necessary,” I retort. “You could have simply told me what to do. Will this happen every time I do it?”

“Not every time,” she says. “If you are careful about how you return the power, and the animal is strong enough, it will live. But don't try to hold on too long for their sake. That's how you can end up with patches of fur or claws that won't go away. Hold too much of the beast in you for too long, and you can end up as one."

This new power is unnerving. Why would I do something that might permanently change me and kill something else? I know the answer to that: because in the arena I might not have a choice. Here I did, though, and now a creature lies dead because of it.

Lady Elara takes my hands, forcing me to look at her.

“You must remember what all of this is about. It is vital that you survive and thrive in the arena. The people must see you as a hero. Already there is unrest in the city. Guards are attacked, houses burned. People call for the emperor’s death, but not enough! The emperor commanded these Champions Trials precisely because he needs a distraction for the citizenry. He no longer has the absolute control of the city that he had before. If we can keep this going, there is a chance for things to change for real.”

“To install a new emperor, you mean?” I say.

“One who will be kinder to the people. One who will be kinder toourpeople.”

I have heard her and the other beast whisperers talking before. I've heard them speak about the possibility of assassinating the emperor, about overthrowing him even if they don't need to do that. They have pulled me into treason, but with what I've seen in the city I'm not entirely sure they're wrong.

Things need to change, and my part of that change comes within the arena. But I can only do it if I survive. As harsh as these powers are, I need them, because the Champions Trials are coming, and without them I will fail.

Chapter Five

It is evening by the time I return to Ironhold, carried in the luxury of Lady Elara’s palanquin. I see a few jealous eyes on me as I walk back into the fortress. Arctus looks as though he can't understand why I am the one who gets to go out and he does not. Even Rowan looks wistful, as if wishing someone would take him from Ironhold, calling him down into the city.

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