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Purple flames as high as Alex herself were joined together in straight, sharp angles, creating what looked like large triangular shapes, but it was hard to tell from her view on the ground. The fire appeared and disappeared like a blowtorch turning on and off, over and over again, but at an irregular frequency. Some of the lines blazed for barely seconds before being smothered, while others remained alight for much longer periods.

Amid the flames and being careful to avoid the purple lines were three sparring Shadow Walkers: two against one, all of them fighting ferociously.

The fire, the sparring, none of that was what held Alex captivated. What stopped her from being able to move was watching the fight itself—or rather, how the Shadow Walkers moved during the fight. Appearing in bursts of darkness, attacking swiftly, then disappearing again, they battled like wraiths; like shadow ghosts. It was like watching a choreographed masterpiece of impossible dance steps as they moved around the empty spaces and between the lines of purple fire.

No wonder Shirez was haughty, Alex thought, if the Shadow Walkers were capable of fighting like this.

“Human!” the female hissed, arriving at Alex’s side and causing her to jump out of her staring stupor.

“Sorry,” Alex said quickly, and only the further narrowing of Shirez’s eyes reminded her that she should have kept her mouth shut.

“Do not step out of turn again,” Shirez ordered, before pushing her way back through the crowd.

The mob thinned as they made it to the other side of the cathedral where Caspar Lennox was already waiting for them. Alex sent him an apologetic shrug to which his lips thinned in displeasure, then the two of them followed Shirez towards a private spiral staircase that led directly up to the elders’ balcony.

“The most I can do is get you an audience,” she said as they started up the stairs. “I cannot make them listen.”

Alex opened her mouth to offer her thanks before remembering—again—not to speak, and instead allowed Caspar Lennox to offer gratitude on her behalf.

When they stepped off the staircase, Alex took a moment to look down at the scene below. From her higher vantage point she had an unconcealed view inside the flames—flames that she could now see were shaped along the lines of a six-sided star. Six triangles were connected to a larger hexagonal centre space, all of which the combatants were shadowing their way through as the flames rose and fell, allowing them easier access to the different areas.

“Grandfather, Elders,” Shirez said respectfully in her own tongue, and Alex turned her attention to the three ancient figures seated on dark, throne-like chairs. “There is a human here who wishes to speak with you.”

“A human?” said the male closest to where they stood, peering intently at Alex. A jagged scar sawed through his left eyebrow, making him seem as if he had a permanently quizzical expression.

“Yes, Grandfather,” Shirez said. “Alexandra Jennings.”

“So not just any human,” the female in the middle said, her implied familiarity again puzzling Alex. “And it appears she was brought here by one of our own.”

“Noble Elders,” Caspar Lennox said, also reverting to the language of his race. He stepped forward, offering a deep, respectful bow. “I would not have brought the girl unless I believed what she has to say to be of the utmost importance to your ears.”

“Stand aside, Caspar Lennox, and let her come forth,” said the final male elder, his eyes a staggering pale blue colour against his mottled-grey skin. While Alex had little experience with the shadowy race, he was the first she’d seen with coloured irises. The effect was astounding.

“Alexandra, you have been given leave to approach,” Caspar Lennox told her in the common tongue, as if she didn’t already know.

She played her part and nodded before stepping towards the elders, careful to keep her mouth firmly shut until they gave permission for her to speak.

“Well met, Alexandra Jennings of the human race,” said Shirez’s grandfather, now in the common tongue. “I am Radek Ganare.”

“Azalia Shaw,” offered the female in the middle.

“And I am Saber Karn,” said the blue-eyed male on the far end. “On behalf of our people, we welcome you to Graevale.”

So far, Alex thought things were going rather well. Certainly much better than she’d imagined, especially after Shirez’s less than warm treatment.

“My granddaughter claims you have come to speak with us,” Radek said.

When he said no more, Alex took his statement to be a question and made the assumption that he was granting her permission to speak. “Yes, that’s right. I’ve come to warn—”

“You have arrived duringvatali targo,” interrupted Azalia.

Whenshesaid no more, Alex again presumed she was allowed to respond. “I’m sorry about that. I didn’t mean to interrupt the, uh… ” She waved a hand to the action below and finished, “… festivities. But—”

“We do not deal with matters of politics during the trials,” said Saber.

“This isn’t really about politics,” Alex said. “It’s about—”

“You will not speak out of turn, human,” Azalia said with slitted eyes.