Page 25 of Bonded to the Fallen Shadow King

Four other girls had the same clear medallions, empty of light, although each of theirs had an animal etched on it. A hint of shock marred their features as they looked around, frightened, though they tried to hide it.

Vyraetos’s voice echoed through the hall, drowning out every thought and breath I had. “The light glowing from your medallion represents the strength of your magic. Purple identifies the candidates with the strongest power, while teal represents moderate. Pink is for the weakest candidates, and the unlit ones are the individuals who have unknown power. The unknowns have had their strength and magic masked, so no one here can see it. Aligning with someone of unknown power may be wise or foolish. You decide.”

My magic was...masked? I turned to Aelir, but the man continued.

“Most of you will not survive long during this trial. Creatures will be constantly attacking you, and they will only get worse.

“The hall contains five circular platforms that you can use for shelter, and before the worst of the trial begins, shields will emerge and cover each platform. The strength of each shield will depend on your base magical power, which will be the average power of all those within your circle. You will also be able to gather crystals located throughout the hall, to further charge the shield and protect your platform. Even the weakest can survive if you find enough crystals and bring them to the center of your circle to strengthen the shield. Each time you add a crystal, the light of the shield will indicate how much stronger the shield is. Everyone must gather at least one crystal for the shield to protect you. Otherwise, the shield will expel you from the platform.

“You will have an undisclosed amount of time to prepare and gather crystals. Use your time wisely, and be careful of your wings. When the first gong rings, you’ll have one minute to return to your platform before the shields go up and the worst of the attacks begin. A second, softer gong will ring at the thirty-second mark.”

Great. I had unknown power, which probably meant I had none, and no one would want to be on a platform with me.

The walls seemed to close in on me as I realized how much of a disadvantage I was at.

Vyraetos waved a hand. “Even those occupying fully charged platforms will have to fight for their lives. If you leave the shield after it’s up, its protection will not extend past the platform, so you’ll be unprotected until you return. If the shield weakens too much, then it will collapse, and you will die if you cannot reach and be accepted by a different platform before the beasts destroy you.

“There is also no certainty as to how long each shield will hold. The stronger your circle, the longer you will endure. If you need to change platforms, be aware that you will need to bring a crystal with you. It’s best not to be caught outside once the shields go up. This trial will go on for an undisclosed time, and your goal is to survive.”

The room seemed to spin, and I felt like I had drunk too much wolfsbane. My wolf growled in anger beneath the panic, and I clung to that with everything I had.

I would not be the first to break.

Aelir’s trembling hand reached for mine. She was as pale as a ghost, her eyes wide with fear. “This is the end.”

I shook my head, trying to keep my voice steady. “No. We can do this. I promise to look after you.” I swallowed hard. “You can stay on the platform, and I’ll get the crystals.”

“You’ll be killed.” Her voice was barely a thready rasp above silence. She stared at the unlit medallion in my hand.

“You have your medallion. I’ll be okay.” I prayed to Fate that I could be as brave as I pretended.

Vyraetos raised his hand yet again, his voice booming. “You will enter the hall in groups of four. They have been selected at random by lottery.” He picked up a slip of parchment and looked at the other figures behind him. “Have the groups been properly randomized?”

“Yes,” came a softer voice, and the scent of sulfur infused the air. My stomach turned at the smell of a lie, but I didn’t know who it came from.

“Kaylen. Malron. Sasha. Calla Lily.” Vyraetos called. “You four will be the first to enter.”

Kaylen moved with purpose, the gleam of satisfaction in her eye. Her hair and wings shone silver against the dark leather she wore, her sleeves golden. She was first in everything. Did that mean she was the strongest?

She and the other girls stepped to the center of the shadowy wolf on the floor. The animal’s eyes blazed crimson, and then darkness swirled around them, devouring their bodies in the blink of an eye. I gasped, gripping my medallion so hard that the edge bit into my skin. No heat. No chill. No warning. Only the bitter scent of metal and stone left behind as they vanished.

My pulse raced, but there was no turning back now. I had no way home, and I suspected if I did find a way, Dipshit and Asshole would be close behind, blinding me stark white and bringing me back here. Besides, they all thought I was weak—I couldn’t let them think I was a coward.

“Briar. Deallan. Ceana. Siray.”

My knees went weak, and my throat closed off. I forced myself to breathe, though a part of me wanted to turn and run away. Still, I held my head high. These bastards wouldn’t get to enjoy me dying without a fight.

Siray looked like a sleek panther, her eyes bright with fire. She hadn’t said a word at dinner, but I remembered her laughter. Her dress last night had been designed in deep reds and golds, coordinating with her confident glare. She hadn’t spoken much, which meant she was likely more deadly than Kaylen. I took in the dragon-like animal on her medallion along with the purple glowing behind it.

Ceana and Deallan had been more direct with their cruelty.

Deallan grinned wickedly. Her bright pink eyes fixed on me with burning hatred. A brown bear decorated her medallion, highlighted by purple. “Told you you’d regret this,” she hissed.

“Looks like we get the honor of killing her. I want to be the first one to attack.” Ceana’s voice chimed in, sing-song and cruel. A golden eagle adorned her chest with the same damn purple light.

The mean girls were some of the most powerful here. Figured. I set my jaw and placed my medallion in my top’s hollow, flat spot above my breasts, trying to appear unbothered despite the chilling of my blood. They wanted to see me crumble, and I wanted to see them burn. “We’ll see who regrets what.”

“Do you want to be in my circle?” Siray asked the other two, her words precise and measured. “I don’t want any dead weight. But maybe we should let her get a few crystals first. At least then we can be amused.”

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