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The Sentinels emerged from the shadows one by one, surrounding me in a tight circle. Their weapons caught what little light filtered down, steel gleaming with deadly promise. I could feel the weight of hundreds of eyes bearing down on me from above—nobles, military leaders, the other contestants. All of them expecting me to fail. Again.

My heart thundered so loud I was sure they could hear it. Yesterday's bruises seemed to throb in time with each beat. I had been planning this since last night, but now, standing here, doubt crept in. I'd never attempted anything like thisbefore, never dared to use this much power at once. Not on purpose.

I closed my eyes, trying to steady my breathing. The web stirred along my spine, familiar but dangerous. Usually, I kept it carefully contained, only letting out what I absolutely needed. But today, I was using every last drop.

The first Sentinel moved. I could hear the whisper of steel through air, feel them beginning to close in. It was now or never.

I reached for the web, yanking on it with more force than I ever had before. For a terrifying moment, nothing happened. The power stayed locked inside, refusing to budge. Panic clawed at my throat. I pulled harder, desperately, feeling the strain all the way down to my bones.

Then something broke loose.

The web exploded up my spine with such force it nearly knocked me over. White light burst behind my closed eyes, snapping open as power flooded through me, raw and overwhelming. Too much—it was too much. I could feel myself losing grip on it, feel it trying to spiral out of control.

Through the chaos, I could see the Sentinels' minds glowing silver, so close now. But my tendrils wouldn't respond. They writhed and twisted, refusing to take shape. Sweat beaded on my forehead as I fought for control, fought to shape this wild surge of power into something I could use.

Just when I thought I would drown in it, something clicked into place. The web steadied, and I felt my feet leave the ground.

My vision snapped back to find myself suspended in the air, my hair whipping around me like a tempest. The arena had gone completely silent. The Sentinels had frozen, weapons half-raised as they stared up at me. My web flowed out in pearlescent tendrils, caressing all six minds simultaneously, wrapping around them like silk.

A smile tugged at my lips as my gaze drifted down to Urkin, still sitting while the other judges had risen in shock.

And I sent the command down the bond.

One by one, each Sentinel turned on their fellow soldiers and raised their weapons. A beat of silence rang past as they kept their arms up.

Attack.

Chaos ensued as the Sentinels surged toward each other, blades flying with untamed ferocity, steel against steel. The clamor echoed through the entire arena as audience members rose to their feet, gasping. Finally, Urkin stood and took a few agonizing steps towards me, gripping the railing until his knuckles turned white. His eyes pierced me like blades.

Perhaps I should have been scared—terrified about what consequences might follow this. But he had asked to see my tether, so I was going to show him in the truest way possible. Remind every single one of them what I was capable of. What I could do If I really desired it.

I had never felt the web at its full strength, but I had to admit, Ilikedit.

Through the destruction, my eyes found Aether, mind shimmering with that golden hue. He was the only one in the crowd still seated, leaning back in his chair, hands pressed together, his chin dangerously low. The strangest expression graced his face. One I had never seen him wear before.

Pride. But it was darker than that. A kind of dark satisfaction that made my hair stand on end, that made heat rush through my veins.

Just as one of the Sentinels cried out in pain, I halted them.

Armor clanged against the ground as each Sentinel fell to their knees in exhaustion, confusion blooming on their faces as they realized where they were—what had just happened.

The silence that followed was deafening. Not a single personmoved, as if the entire arena was frozen in that moment. I could feel my heart thundering in my chest, but my hands were steady as I lowered them to my sides.

Through the quiet, a slow clap echoed off the stone walls. My eyes shot to its source, and I felt my blood run cold.

Valkan.

He stood at the edge of the arena, eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made my skin crawl. His lips curved as he continued his solitary applause.

"Magnificent," he breathed, just loud enough for his voice to carry. "Simply magnificent."

Just as I lowered myself, my feet touching the ground once more, the spell broke. Suddenly, the arena erupted in a symphony of voices—some cheering, others arguing in heated whispers.

Urkin's face had gone completely rigid, but there was something else in his expression now. Something that looked almost like fear.Good.

General Taliora was whispering urgently in his ear, while Talon scribbled furiously in his notebook, occasionally shooting glances in my direction. Karis simply studied me.

My attention snapped back to Valkan as he drifted closer, his movements unnervingly smooth. "I believe," he murmured, his voice slicing through the noise, "you might be the most extraordinary thing I've ever laid eyes on." His pale, lifeless gaze pinned me in place. Not with awe, but with something far darker. A hungry, twisted fascination.