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“What are we supposed to do now?” Declan asked, stretching his long legs out and rearranging the pillows around his bulky form. “Not that this place isn’t cushy, but sitting around isn’t going to—”

He didn’t get a chance to finish before a blinding light surrounded them and once again they were flash-transported away.

Four

Jumping to her feet beside the others,Alex took stock of their new surroundings, noting that they were back in the throne room, without their glass prisons this time.

Saefii was sitting on the middle throne, the largest of all three, with Calivere seated on her left and Tayros on her right. Alex and her friends stood at the base of the shining steps leading up to the dais, with the rest of the silver-eyed assembly from earlier standing behind them, hemming them in amongst the golden pillars.

“Alexandra Jennings, we have conferred in the wake of your tale and have brought you here to bear witness to our judgement,” Calivere said, his voice just as angelic as his features. But despite the soothing quality to his tone, his words caused a shiver of foreboding to travel down Alex’s spine.

“Many eons have passed since we banished the Meyarins from our world,” Tayros said, his voice deep and silky smooth, like heated syrup. “We have no desire to reignite a war long since won.”

Alex had to bite her cheek to keep from jumping in, determined to wait until they were finished before she would argue her point again.

“However,” Calivere said, as if he and Tayros were tag-teaming their discussion. “The threat of the one named Aven does trouble us, if only due to the question of where he will nextturn his gaze once he has conquered your world and slaughtered your mortal races.”

“This guy sure has a way with words,” Jordan muttered from beside Alex.

Calivere’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t engage other than to raise his head and watch Jordan emotionlessly from his throne.

When no one else said anything, Alex took that as permission to speak. Her heart pounding with hope, she asked, “Does that—Does that mean you’ll help us?”

It was Empress Saefii who answered.

“We will.”

Alex’s face broke into a wide smile as her spirits soared. She couldn’t believe it—after everything she’d been through to get to this point, it seemed surreal to receive such a positive response. She turned to share beaming looks with her friends, but all their expressions froze when it became clear that Saefii hadn’t finished speaking.

“We will,” the empress repeated, “but only if you prove yourselves worthy.”

Just like that, Alex’s hopes crumbled.

“How would we do that?” Kaiden asked carefully.

It was to Alex that Saefii directed her answer.

“If you wish for us to come to your world and help you defeat Aven Dalmarta, then you must pass throughTu’eh Saeron ess Telari.” Saefii didn’t know Alex had an inner Tia Auran translator, so the empress spoke the common tongue equivalent aloud for all to hear. “You must undergo the Gates of Testing.”

“I don’t have a good feeling about this,” D.C. said quietly.

Alex shared her friend’s concern.

“Six of you there are, so six Gates you will face,” Saefii said. “Six tests over six days. If you prevail, we will consider youworthy and travel to Medora to fight in your war. But if you fail, we will leave you to your fate.”

Alex felt the room spin around her. She raised a hand to her head, hoping to steady her whirling thoughts. Six days was a long time to remain in Tia Auras. Anything could happen back in Medora in their absence. But if it meant they would return with the very people who had conquered the Meyarin race to begin with, then the wait would be worth it. It would have to be.

But the risk of failure…

“What are the tests?” Alex asked, her throat tight.

Saefii spread her hands in supplication. “Should you agree to prove your worth, you will see for yourself.”

“So, you’re saying we have to go in blind?” Bear clarified. “Without knowing what we’re agreeing to?”

“They are not called the Gates of Testing without reason, young mortal,” Saefii told him. “Part of the test is deciding whether or not you will undergo it.”

“And there are six of these tests—one for each of us?” Declan asked.