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Frustrated, Alex wondered how she was supposed to know whether she could talk or not if some of their statements were questions while others weren’t.

“Saber Karn speaks true,” Radek said. “We do not discuss politics while the trials are in session.”

Another long pause, which Alex hoped meant she could again attempt speech.

She took a chance and asked, “How long do the trials last?”

“Until a victor is named,” Azalia answered. “Usually no more than a week.”

A week. That wasn’t great, but it also wasn’t terrible. Hopefully Aven wouldn’t do anything drastic in that time, and Alex would still be able to warn the elders before he acted.

“However,” Azalia continued, “we will not discuss politics with anyone until the celebrations have concluded.”

“Do you mean like a party?” Alex asked. “When does it finish?”

“Sunrise,” Saber answered. Before adding, “After the next full moon.”

Alex’s mouth dropped open.

Amonth? They partied for a wholemonth?

“You’re not serious?” she gasped out.

The shadows around the elders rose up suddenly, like snakes hissing with fury.

“Watch your tone, human,” said Azalia sharply. “Remember who you stand before.”

This was ridiculous. It was utterly ridiculous. Here she was, trying to warn them about an impending threat, and they wanted to throw a month-long party before they would hear a single word from her.

“My warning can’t wait,” Alex said, not caring that she was using both a firm tone and speaking out of turn. “You need to listen to me. Aven Dal—”

“Enough!” Azalia cried, her voice like thunder, but Alex refused to be interrupted.

“—marta is coming. He has an entire arm—”

Suddenly, Alex’s words were cut off as shadows surrounded her, stealing her voice and choking the air from her lungs. Gagging, she heard Caspar Lennox and, surprisingly, Shirez, interceding on her behalf, but she was too focused on not suffocating to hear what they were saying. Then, in an instant, her asphyxiation eased and she was able to breathe again.

Unable to help herself, she glared at the three elders while sucking in gasps of oxygen. But she also held her tongue while she did so.

“Caspar Lennox advocates strongly for you, Alexandra Jennings,” Radek said. “My granddaughter, too.” He sounded just as baffled by the last as Alex was. “Despite that, we will not allow you to force our attention.”

Alex wanted to throw something at him. At all of them.

“However,” Radek said, and she hastily retracted her previous thought, “you may have the opportunity toearnthat attention.”

Alex stilled, feeling both curious and wary about how she might manage such a feat.

“If you wish to speak freely before the conclusion of thevatali targoand its accompanying celebrations,” Saber took up the conversation, “then you shall have to claim the right to do so.”

Clearing her throat in the silence that followed, Alex risked asking, “And how would I do that?”

“Compete in the trials,” answered Azalia, her smug tone showing how amused she was by the idea. “Prove that you’re worthy of our consideration, and we will listen to anything you have to say.”

Twenty-One

At the elders’ offer, Alex’s eyes flickereddown to the combatants below and her breath became trapped in her chest again—but this time the shadows weren’t responsible for her choked sensation.

“All you have to do is win a single round,” Radek said, following her gaze. He raised his hands in what would normally account for a conciliatory gesture and finished, “Or you can decline, and we will meet with you again in a month.”