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How could this be happening?Thousands had attended the flying colors. Why had the Council chosenmeto interrogate? I knew I shouldn't worry—I was innocent, after all. Surely I’d be out of here in time for my Weaving. But my self-assurances did little to loosen the knots tangling my stomach.

Shivers raked over me as I stood in the center of the Council Chamber, waiting for the trial to begin. The Investigations Team—all clothed in identical grey outfits that allowed them to easily blend into the shadows—lined the circular room, eying me with piercing stares that sent shivers up and down my spine. I couldn’t fathom why Stardust aspired to join such a group; their dark solemnity was a stark contrast to her colorful vibrancy.

Head Investigator Cedar approached Galaxy, who was now perched on his floating seat, and bowed. “With your permission, I’ll present the case against Dreamer Eden.”

Pity filled Galaxy’s glance towards me. “Proceed, but keep in mind this is merely a preliminary hearing to examine the evidence you’ve obtained.”

Investigator Cedar laid out the evidence piece by piece: the spell in question had been performed in an unconventional style befitting someone who had never received formal training at the Academy; one Dreamer had witnessed me in a secluded area engaged in a lengthy secretive exchange with two Nightmares; I’d been discovered at the scene of the crime, along with a magic sample they believed to be mine; and they’d found a hair clip that perfectly matched the ones in my hair, which they were convinced I’d dropped during the very act. Each condemning word only increased the icy fear pressing against my chest until I could scarcely breathe.

“Clips like that one were being sold at the festival,” Stardust interrupted, seeming quite eager to prove her reasoning skills in front of the Head Investigator himself. “It could have easily been purchased by any number of suspects; there’s no definitive proof it belongs to Eden.”

Head Investigator Cedar’s responding smile seemed amused, but Stardust’s argument only deepened Dreamer Galaxy’s frown. “That point aside, if what Investigator Cedar claims is true, these accusations are quite serious. I had such high hopes for you, Dreamer Eden, so I sincerely hope these accusations are unfounded.”

Before I could speak, Stardust once again leapt to my defense. “It’s not Eden’s fault. We were only at the scene of the crime because I needed to gather clues for my own investigation.”

“If her discovery at the scene was our only reason for suspicion, we certainly wouldn’t have a case against her,” Cedar said. “However, as we’ve already demonstrated, there’s simply too much other damning evidence to ignore.”

“All of which seems purely circumstantial,” Stardust said dryly.

Head Nightmare Ember, who’d been observing the proceedings from her elevated perch, stood. “If you want stronger evidence, little cloud, that can definitely be arranged.” She turned to me. “I assume you have no objections to being searched?”

I numbly pulled my bag off my shoulder and handed it to Cedar, who sifted through it. I wasn’t worried; he wouldn’t find anything—I’d removed all my bottled dreams, Mother’s flower I’d taken from the burnt remains of our home, and my nightmare flower in order to make room for festival souvenirs—so I was stunned when Cedar pulled out an empty vial and held it up.

I sucked in a sharp breath.No…

Cedar carefully studied the vial, turning it over and over in his hand. “This appears to contain traces of the metamorphose potion believed to have been poured into the flying colors cauldron. Of course additional tests are required in order to be sure, but the color and smell are similar.”

Ember barely masked her smirk. “As I suspected.”

I gaped at the vial. “That’s not mine. I don’t have the remotest idea how to brew potions. I didn’t even know potions existed in the Dream World until tonight.”

Despite my claims, Cedar’s suspicion only deepened. “If it isn’t yours, then how did it end up in your possession?”

“I don’t know.” Dread pooled my stomach and the room spun. Everything was spiraling out of control with no way for me to stop it.

“Alchemy and potions are classes offered only to advanced students at the Academy, where Eden’s never attended,” Stardust said. “As such, she lacks the required knowledge and skill to create a potion on such an elite level.”

Galaxy frowned at the vial. “Perhaps such magic is a bit too advanced for her.”

“I expected the Head Dreamer to be more impartial,” Ember said. “Unfortunately, we have no knowledge of Dreamer Eden’s magical education prior to arriving in the Dream World. For all we know, she’s feigning how limited her powers actually are in order to avoid suspicion. What matters is that the potion we strongly suspect responsible for the crime conducted during the flying colors was discovered on our prime suspect. I see no more room for doubt about her involvement. Do you have any further defense, Dreamer Eden?”

Before I could respond, the chamber doors flung open, and Darius strode in with hurried apologies for his tardiness. He froze when he saw me.

Ember’s smile was conniving. “Ah, perfect timing. I’ve asked my son to join us. In addition to his investigations of the recent nightmare disruptions in the Dream Realm, he’s recently been offered an apprenticeship on the Council. As Dreamer Eden’s weaving partner, he’s taken particular interest in investigating her.”

I clenched my fists at her words. It wasn’t until this moment that I realized I’d still been holding on to hope that Darius’s involvement with me hadn’t been solely to get information. I glared at him. He said nothing as he moved to stand with his mother, but his eyes never left mine, furrowed and suspicious. He’d undoubtedly use this opportunity to inform the Council about all of his suspicions and grievances against me—that I’d only won a few Weavings on my own merits, that I was Half-Mortal, and, if my suspicions were correct, that he’d recently discovered I could see dreams. I would be suspended for sure.

He listened with a pensive expression as Cedar restated the case against me. While his attention was focused on Cedar, he frequently cast glances towards me, his eyes searching, as if he could determine my guilt through perusal alone.

He sighed when Cedar concluded. “You said the metamorphose potion was found inside her bag? That fact alone proves it wasn’t her.”

Ember’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?” she hissed. “Of course it was her.”

“If she really used the potion, why would she keep the evidence that would incriminate her? The logical course would be to dispose of it immediately. The fact that she didn’t suggests she didn’t realize the vial was there, which means it and the other pieces of evidence were likely planted.”

Silence. Stardust gaped at him, looking both awed at his conclusion and annoyed he’d stolen her lines, while the members of the Investigations Team listened to his argument with thoughtful expressions. Meanwhile my stubborn heart lifted. Was Darius actuallydefendingme?