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“Then what are we waiting for?” Alex started up the jagged, black steps, wondering why he hadn’t just dropped them off at thetopof the stairs rather than making them tackle the arduous climb.

When Alex realised he wasn’t following, she turned back and raised her eyebrows in a ‘What’s the hold up?’ gesture.

“I’m beginning to regret bringing you here,” Caspar Lennox said on a sigh as he stepped up beside her.

“We haven’t even done anything yet,” she said, baffled by his statement.

“Exactly. That means you haven’t had a chance to cause any problems,” he returned. “Please, Alexandra, for the grace of the shadows, promise me you will be mindful of your words.”

Alex pursed her lips. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

His answer came without hesitation. “You have a habit of speaking before you think. I strongly advise against doing so here. The elders do not suffer fools gladly.”

Offended, Alex opened her mouth to argue, but he continued before she could.

“And as I have told you once before, they are also not inclined to care for humans. They are just as likely to laugh at you as they are to listen.”

After the Jarnocks and the Flips, Alex wasn’t ignorant of the possibilities.

“I’m aware of that,” she said in a curt voice. “But I still have to try.”

His dark eyes holding hers, Caspar Lennox nodded once. “Very well.” Beginning to climb the stairs again, he ordered, “Follow me.” He then halted so suddenly that Alex almost bumped into him when he turned around to add, “No matter how tempted you are, do not speak unless you are addressed. Do you understand?”

“Got it,” she said, staying close as he continued upwards until they reached an impressive double-arched entrance and walked inside.

Alex wasn’t sure what she’d expected to see after stepping into the cathedral. Pews and an altar, perhaps. Maybe candles and a priest of some kind. But none were to be found. She listened for the quintessential ringing from a hunchback in the bell tower, but that didn’t come either.

All in all, the inside of the mammoth building wasn’t anything like she would have thought. The floor was made of a glossy black marble, blending into the walls so perfectly that it was almost impossible to see where the corner angle shifted from horizontal to vertical. The stained-glass windows allowed barely any light in due to the menacing storm clouds outside, so the only illumination offered was from hanging sconces filled with a strange, purple fire.

Taking in all that with a glance, Alex’s attention was more focused on what was happening in the centre of the empty space. While there were no furnishings of any kind, the cathedral wasn’t without people. Or rather, Shadow Walkers.

It appeared as if there was some kind of combative match taking place, but it was difficult to see around the scores of mottled-grey beings shouting out both jeers and cheers. Bookies were loudly calling for people to place their bets, and willing punters were yelling back the names of their favourites. It was like a mad house of activity, completely at odds with what Alex would have presumed was a sacred site.

Perched on tiered balconies rising high up into the cathedral’s spires and overlooking the action were what seemed to be hundreds of Shadow Walkers, all avidly watching the chaos on the floor. Situated in the central balcony with the best view were three figures, two males and a female, each practically drowning in the shadows that swirled around their hooded capes. What was visible of their grey-skinned faces showed signs of the years they’d lived, their eyes like endless pools of ancient darkness.

Without needing to be told, Alex knew they were the elders she was here to see, and she looked at Caspar Lennox, waiting for him to show her how to approach them.

He, however, had other ideas, and he latched tightly onto her arm and whispered, “We need to leave. Now.”

“But—”

“Now, Alexandra.”

His order was sharp and, to Alex’s ears, anxious. It was the last that kept her from resisting or arguing, even when the shadows started rising up around them as he readied to whisk them away.

“Caspar Lennox!Trivana pos fered se tonda corr!”

The teacher’s grip clenched painfully before he released Alex and shoved her behind him, the shadows dropping back down to his feet as he turned to face the female Shadow Walker who had called for his attention.

Alex’s bond with Xiraxus was again her saving grace, since her inner translator was able to understand the words as a casual greeting similar to the Freyan exclamation of ‘Where the hell have you been?’

“Well met, Shirez Ganare,” Caspar Lennox said in his native language with a slight bow of his waist.

“What brings you by, old friend?” Shirez asked. “Surely you’re not here to compete?”

“Not at all. Indeed, had I knownvatali targowas underway, I would have postponed my visit entirely,” Caspar Lennox replied in a tight voice that hid the anxiety Alex had just heard. “I believe it best if I return again at a more favourable time.”

“Nonsense!” cried Shirez. “You must stay and watch with us. It’s only the second day, but the early rounds can be just as exciting as the finals. All our close acquaintances are here—if you join us, it’ll be like old times.”