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"What's the third trial?" I asked, breaking through the moment.

"If you succeed in the combat trial, and are deemed to have a powerful tether, you are then tested for the ability to join the Spectres. You are taken to the Void. Whoever emerges becomes a part of our unit." Vexa’s tone carried a finality that made my skin prickle.

"So I'm essentially joining the Umbra?" I asked, sharper than intended. Irritation seized me, burning hot beneath my skin. This was not what I had agreed to. It was one thing to help with the Void. It kept me a neutral party, at least, that's how I had justified it to myself. This would be vastly different. I didn't know if I was ready to commit myself to another realm. I'd been lied to before. Something still pulled at me, wondering if that could be happening again.

I believed what they had shown me of this realm, but I still didn't know if I could trust the Umbra. The Isle had been so convincing. Perhaps I was just naive. Even if I wasn't, I wouldn't be joining a cause that could potentially hurt the people in Sídhe that I cared about. Not only were they clueless to what was going on, but some wouldn't even be able to defend themselves.

Did the Umbra even know how deep the lies went? Did they know the entire Isle was being deceived? Most had no idea a war was even brewing on the Western border. The ones that did had no idea what we were doing. That we were the villains in this story.

I wouldn't fight against those who were unaware. People needed to know what was really happening here. What the price of our prosperity truly was. The thought of more innocent blood on my hands made my stomach turn.

At this point, I wasn't sure whether that would even matter to the Umbra.

They were past the point of desperation. I couldn't say I wouldn't feel the same way if I were in their position. I hated Sídhe once, too.

Vexa’s sigh splintered through my thoughts. “I know it wasn’t what you were expecting.” Her eyes lowered, looking past me. None of them were looking at me.

“No, no it wasn’t.” I shifted my gaze to Aether, who was still scanning his eyes over the arched window beyond. I had a distinct feeling that he wasn’t listening to a word I said.

“You never mentioned this would be part of the deal,” I shot in his direction, a sliver of ice in my tone.

His jaw clenched before he turned his head in my direction. For a few seconds, he simply observed me. Irritation pricked my skull.

“He doesn’t trust you. This will show him you’re serious. Duskbound are always intertwined with the Umbra, it’s not really all that different from what we originally had in mind.” His voice was gruff, no sign of that amusement that had drenched his tone only days ago.

“Not that different? I will be pledging myself to theenemyof my people. That actually means something to me,” I hissed. Vexa and Effie simply looked away, but Aether’s stare intensified.

“You’ve told me your position, and I did not argue with you. Remember that,” he said in a near growl.

“Oh, I will.”

“Nothing has changed. No one can force you to do anything you don’t want. As I’ve made perfectly clear.” Those golden eyes bore into me, something like annoyance twitching his upper lip.

Suddenly, I felt Vexa’s gaze on me, then they turned to Aether. She raised a brow but stayed silent.

“I’m telling you right now, if I compete in the Strykka, I will still answer tono one. I will not be commanded.”

“Not that you could,” Aether spat.

A part of me wanted to take that jab as a compliment, but the darkness in his tone proved it wasn’t meant to be.

“I want to be a part of negotiations. I might have ideas—information that could be useful. I will share whatever is necessary with all of you, but I will not be forced to fight against Sídhe. There has to be another way, one that doesn’t end in mutual destruction.”

“The masses don’t even know a war is in full swing on the Western border. And the Guard—we’ve all been lied to. They don’t know what they’re doing. They deserve a choice. They deserve to know exactly what they’re fighting for. If they still choose to support Sídhe, well…” I trailed off, not entirely sure what I meant by that.If what was happening here didn’t matter to them…I didn’t let the thoughts continue. I had to believe it would. That they would care.

Aether studied me, eyes finally leaving mine and raking down me. Somehow that made me even more uncomfortable than our locked eyes. I shifted in my seat.

“That will be between you and Urkin. We just have to get you through the Strykka first,” Vexa cut in.

“I want assurance that I will have support from you all. That you agree to back my stance when it comes to negotiations. I need to know who and what I’m committing my life to. I need to know the political climate—and your ruler. I’ve already committed myself to one realm only to find out it was a lie. I won't do it again. I want to know everything.Everything.Agree to these terms and only then will I participate in the Strykka.”

Effie snorted.

Vexa remained silent, eyes flickering to Aether.

Rethlyn bit his lip. “I don’t know if we can agree to?—”

“Deal.” Aether’s rough growl vibrated down the table, sending all eyes flaring towards him.