Page 148 of This Monster of Mine

“Tetrarch Aelius, one look in my head will tell you if I’m lying.” Sarai risked a glance at Anek, who was watching her intently. “I was here four years ago. I saweverything.”

The louder the crowd roared, the more annoyed Aelius looked. He glanced at her, and she saw his disbelief. He thought she was stalling.

“Probe her and Materialize it,” he finally ordered.

As Cisuré approached, Sarai addressed the Aequitas. “Four years ago, I came to Edessa. I was only fourteen. Utterly unsophisticated. Naïve. Innocent. Perhaps because of this, I was badly hurt one night.” Aelius’s brows drew together in suspicion. She swallowed, and went on, “I’ve had to wear an illusion ever since. But today, for honesty’s sake, I’ll show you my scars. To prove the truth of what I’ve just told you.”

And then, Sarai dropped the illusion.

Cassandane’s gasps echoed through the Aequitas as scars unraveled across Sarai’s features, laced her arms, crawled down her neck. She looked at Kadra and saw something shatter in his black gaze. He’d nearly pieced it together. But it was Aelius’s reaction she needed. She needed him to balk, to put his foot in his mouth while his credibility was still weak from the scutum trial.

Turning to the dais where Aelius stared blankly at her, she raised her chin. “I’m ready, if Petitor Cisuré wishes to begin.”

The other girl eagerly approached and raised a hand to Sarai’s forehead.

“Stop!” Aelius’s command was a roar. He hurriedly masked his features in calm, but there was a wildness in his eyes.

Sarai smiled. He hadn’t bothered to confirm that she was dead that night.Everything has a price.

“Tetrarch Aelius?” Cisuré looked bewildered.

“Step away.” For the first time, he looked shaken. There was a pale sheen to his skin. “There’s no need for a Probe. She’s lying.”

Cisuré dropped her hand. “I don’t understand.”

Neither did the crowd, by their muttering.Good.

“Let us see it!” one brave soul shouted.

Aelius’s nostrils flared. “People of Edessa. This is a cheap trick. She and Kadra areinvolved.” His voice dripped with scorn. “She’s buying time—”

“For what? We’re both clearly incapable of escape,” Sarai pointed out. A few people hooted.

“Enough!” Aelius roared, turning to Cisuré. “We start with his Summoning.” His voice brooked no disobedience. “Then hers.”

Cisuré’s face collapsed in horror. She raced up the dais. Her pleas were met with Aelius’s stony stare.

Fighting to stay calm, Sarai turned to Anek and widened her eyes.Please.I won’t ask more of you than this.

Grim-faced, Anek nudged Cassandane, who swallowed thickly. “I’ll allow it.”

“You’ll do nothing of the sort!” Aelius yelled.

Cassandane’s chin rose. “As one of two remaining Tetrarchs, I have every right to see the testimony of a witness.”

“Tetrarch Cassandane, do not try my patience.”

“Tetrarch Aelius, you agreed that your Petitor would Probe her. Why have you suddenly changed your mind?”

The crowd looked on, shocked at the sight of their leaders in utter disarray. One dead, one bound, two at war with each other. Aelius had lost his initial hold on those present, and he knew it.

Now show them who you really are, Aelius.

He swiveled back toward Sarai, eerily calm. Then, he struck. A thousand thin strands of lightning shot from his hands toward her. A latticed shield enclosed her just as swiftly, sparks arcing across the surface as it absorbed the attack.

Breathless, she turned to the only person who could have done it: Kadra, coughing blood, his hand flung in her direction, holding the dome steady. He struggled to turn his head toward her.

Was it you?his eyes asked.

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