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Darius’s eyes widened. “Really? Hmm.”

His forehead furrowed as he struggled to form another argument. I held my breath as I anxiously waited. Despite the incriminating information he’d provided, he’d at least failed to mention the bottled dream he’d stolen or my ability to enter dreams, which meant for now, at least, those secrets were safe.

I tensed when Darius’s eyes brightened with another idea. “I obtained a sample of her powers. All we need do is compare them to the records on file to prove she’s indeed the Weaver we’ve been searching for.”

He withdrew a vial from his pocket, which he handed to Galaxy, who compared it with a file another member of the Council handed to him. “The magic samples are different,” he concluded.

Darius’s brows furrowed. “They are?”

Despite his obvious perplexity, I frowned at him. What was he doing? He almost seemed to be purposely asking questions whose answers would prove my innocence. Nightmare Ember scowled at him in disapproval and he lowered his eyes in apparent remorse.

Nightmare Ember stepped forward. “Regardless of whether or not she’s the Weaver we’ve been searching for, you can’t deny that the suspicions my son has raised are valid. Anyone born outside the Dream World and possessing such unknown powers gives us every reason to exercise caution.”

Galaxy studied me for several moments, as if searching for traces of dishonesty. “Perhaps, perhaps not. Only time will tell, and until we have proof, it would be unjust to condemn her if she’s innocent.” He faced me. “If we allow you to stay, you must become a Weaver and earn your magic through Weavings. We will test your magical skill—if your magic is sufficient, you may live here under probation until you earn our trust; if your skills are inadequate, you will return to Earth.”

“But I can’t return there.” Horror clenched my gut at the thought, causing me to sway; I clutched the podium for support. “Please. The villagers witnessed my magic. If I return—”

“It’s impossible for Mortals to see magic other than dreams, so I will heed none of your pleas to remain here if you fail,” Galaxy said. “Either you will prove your abilities are strong enough or you won’t; it’s that simple. Now let us begin.”

He stood and strolled soundlessly towards me; my nerves multiplied with each step he took. He was testing menow?What sort of test would this be? My powers were underdeveloped. If I was tested on something beyond my abilities, my chances of remaining were nonexistent.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I’m only self trained, and I haven’t yet learned how to create dreams.”

If Galaxy was surprised by my knowledge of dream weaving, he didn’t show it. “Not to worry; you won’t be tested at that level. The test is a simple one for those who possess magic.”

He paused in the center of the chamber and motioned for me to join him. My footsteps echoed in the suffocating silence, the heated gazes from the surrounding Council following my every step. I paused in front of Galaxy.

“Before we start, hand me your dream dust locket—you’re not allowed to rely on an external source of power; this test is on your innate abilities alone.” He held out his hand and I reluctantly dropped my necklace in a coil on his palm. As his fingers enclosed it, I feared I’d never see it again. “Here is your test: summon your magic.”

I stared. That was it? I wasn’t expected to quote spells, demonstrate fancy techniques, or elaborate on chapters from famous magic books? It seemed far too simple. Perhaps this was nothing more than a trick, and my real test was whether or not I could discern it.

But Galaxy’s eyes were kind, bearing no hint of malicious intent. I took a deep breath and summoned my magic.

Nothing happened. After years of practice, it was as if the route to my powers had suddenly become blocked, leaving me no way to access them. I tried again. Still nothing. Panic swelled in my breast. Did my magic only manifest itself on Earth? After a minute had slipped away, Galaxy eyed me expectantly. “Well? Are you going to demonstrate your powers or not?”

“This is a waste of time,” Darius said. “I take back my earlier claim—it’s obvious she possesses little or no power whatsoever. I doubt she can do anything.” The Head Nightmare Ember nodded her assent, her eyes narrowed darkly at me.

His goading immediately cleared my mental block and I summoned a small amount of magic in my palm. I struggled to push it into the air, but instead it flickered like a dying flame before completely extinguishing.

“Pathetic,” Darius said. “I knew she didn’t belong here.”

But even as he spoke, he subtly arranged his hand in the position I held mine before adjusting it slightly. He prodded me with his eyes then lowered his gaze to his hand. I nearly snorted. If he thought I’d fall for his trick under the guise he was supposedly helping me, then he didn’t know me at all, for I was no fool.

My hands tightened into fists. I’d prove to that Nightmare creep I belonged here…withouthis supposed help. I focused on Darius and spread my hand out like a fan. A swirl of purple magic rose like sparkly smoke from my palm and spread towards the domed ceiling in awhoosh. Several people gasped and Darius’s eyes widened with delicious surprise. His response fueled my power, allowing me to press it further; it danced in glittery twirls around each of the columns before vanishing.

The silence that followed was different than the one that had preceded my showcase—this one tingled with surprise and interest. I expected a smile to crack Galaxy’s stony expression, but his mouth remained set in its firm line.

“Impressive. Although quite rough, your ability is obviously practiced. You claim to be self taught?”

“Magic is frowned upon on Earth,” I said. “No reliable magic books exist, nor are there any other possessors of magic to tutor me. My powers were learned through trial and error.”

A thin smile finally cracked Galaxy’s hardened expression. “Only a true Dreamer could do so.”

Head Nightmare Ember stepped forward. “This is ridiculous. Such a demonstration was far too easy. She needs a more difficult test.”

Darius nodded, but he seemed to be focusing intently on the Head Dreamer, his brow furrowed in concentration, only tearing his gaze away at his mother’s suspicious look. Galaxy hesitated before he shook his head.

“It would be unfair to presume she’s capable of performing anything more. We don’t expect young Dreamers to perform magic beyond what they’ve been trained in, so how can we require the same from Miss Eden? For the time being we’ll keep an eye on her.”