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“It’s your fault she caught you,” he grumbled, talking to the one in my arms. “You didn’t hide properly.”

“Regardless, she passed the first test,” the third, thin voice replied. “There is something strange about her, but at least she’s aware of her surroundings.”

The elder stepped forward. They wore robes and a pointed hat. I released the one in the purple dress, and she scampered away. She joined the one in green suspenders, and they took positions at the sides of the wizened one.

“Gnomes?” I asked Zayne. He had watched all this patiently.

“Gnomes,” he agreed.

The elder laughed. “Of course! What did you expect? Trolls? Gargoyles? They never would have been assigned such an important task.”

“So you’re the trial? I have to gain your approval?”

“We must decide if you can be trusted with Ninti’s safety. And just because you’re fast and clever enough to catch us doesn’t mean we’ll let you pass.”

The one in suspenders stomped his foot. “We can’t approve of someone like her. Look at her—no magic! It’s like she isn’t even fae!”

It stung, having my deficiency called out so blatantly. Defiant, I tapped my pointed ear and antler nubs. “I am definitely fae.”

“Of course you are,” the elder said, glaring at the grumpy one. “We know you’re fae. However, my acolyte is unfortunately correct—your lack of magic is a reason for concern.”

The elder was reassuring. I didn’t feel defensive, and as I allowed their words to settle, my stomach sank.

“I really don’t have magic, do I?” I asked.

“Not a lick of power,” the one in suspenders jabbed. “Completely unnatural. We clearly can’t give our approval. Ninti’s companionmusthave magic. And don’t even get me started on the Brand infecting her.”

The one in the dress disagreed. “There is nothing in Leo’s rules that says—”

“For Ninti’s sake, sheshouldhave magic. After all—”

“Stop it,” the elder hushed the younger two. They peered at me. “There’s… something more to her than meets the eye.”

The acolytes copied their leader, squinting at me too. Their green heads quirked in unison.

The elder crooked their finger. “Come closer. Sit.”

I obeyed, taking a seat before the three of them.

The elder pursed their lips. “Very interesting.”

“What is it?” the one with the dress asked.

“It’s subtle, but here, let me show you. This will be a good lesson,” the elder continued, giving me instructions next. “Hold still. This will be easier for you if you stay rooted.”

They began their work, falling into a trance. They seemed to leave their bodies behind, favoring otherworldly senses. Zayne had looked similar when the handkerchief sent me to “rescue” him, like he had vanished from his body when he visited the Underworld. It made the gnomes vulnerable.

In whatever language the elder gave their lesson, they spoke it on a frequency I couldn’t hear.

The three gnomes continued like that, and as time went on, I wasn’t sure what to do. I made eye contact with Zayne, and he shrugged, suggesting he had no better ideas.

So I obeyed, holding still, waiting.

It was terribly uncomfortable.

I had nothing to focus on. I twitched, wishing I could stretch or practice my exercise routine.

What if they refuse me?The idea of moving on without Ninti left me empty. I’d already spent a lifetime wondering, hungry to know her.