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I caught the edge of the new platform as it burst from the wall, swinging myself up and taking a breath.

We had a system. And up here, I could see exactly where I was headed now.

The slots led me across the back wall then along the left one to the opposite side of the chamber.

Awaiting me there was a stone ledge and the bronze bell hanging above it.

Moving from one riddle to the next, I made a swift path toward that ledge, and Ransom never faltered, making sure he jumped at the same time I did. I was soon climbing up onto the ledge, smiling at my achievement and walking to another stone tablet set into a recess in the wall.

The second task awaits.

Their life will rest in your hands.

Press your palm to the star to begin.

I looked for the star, finding the shimmering mark on the wall.

“Are you ready?” I called to Ransom.

“For what?”

“No idea. But your number’s been called.” I slapped my hand to the star and a rumbling noise sounded throughout the cavern.

I peered across the chamber, spotting another stone ledge on the opposite side from me where a bell was waiting for Ransom. Down beside the cage of snarling beasts, a series of stone steps were emerging in the wall, leading up to narrow, metal beams that criss-crossed their way to the stone ledge.

It appeared to be a simple balancing task until Ransom stepped onto the first beam and fire sprang to life along its length. He lurched back with a curse and I glanced around, looking for my part in this task. There had to be something here to help Ransom.

Beneath the bell, in the shadowed corner, I noticed a series of bronze pipes on the wall.

Hurrying over to them, I took in the interconnecting pipes and noticed they were replicating the pattern of the beams. On each of them was a small wheel so I turned the first one and glanced over at Ransom, watching the fire before him disappear.

He stepped cautiously forward, walking to the first corner where more flames roared.

I turned the next wheel, causing the next series of flames to stop, but the ones at Ransom’s back ignited again, burning his ass.

“Argh!” he cried and I couldn’t help but snigger as he cupped his ass cheeks in both hands and darted onto the next section. “Watch it, runt.”

“You’d better move faster then, Ransom,” I taunted.

He cursed me out as he reached the next bend in the beams and he moved quicker this time when I turned the required wheel, avoiding the flashfire behind him.

It was easy enough to get Ransom to the stone ledge, and when he was standing on it with a singed ass, he looked over to me and nodded stiffly. “Ring the bell.”

I reached up, grabbing the rope and we rang both bells at the same time, making the chamber shudder with some unknown magic.

The ledge beneath my feet began to fall and my stomach lurched as I staggered to the edge of it. It tumbled toward the abyss below and I had only a second to act as I threw myself off of it, arms reaching wildly for the edge of the stone cross.

I slammed into it, winding myself and pulling myself up with a curse.

Ahead, the cage of dog-like beasts flew open and they came charging toward me, snarling and snapping, ready to tear me apart.

Ransom let out a cry and I spotted him landing uneasily on the floor, closer to the cage than I was. He was swarmed by the beasts and as several more closed in on me, I realised I had my magic back.

“Ransom – you can cast!” I cried, forging two ice blades in my grip and slashing the throat of the first beast, its reptilian jaws snapping at me as it died.

I kicked the next one into the chasm beside me, then stabbed my way toward my brother, cutting through the black-furred monsters with brutal efficiency.

All of my training aided me now, my movements rehearsed, prepared for this very moment. It was easier than I could have imagined, all my hours of instruction finally paying off in a true battle.

Adrenaline sang in my veins as I swung through the beasts with flare, kicking, punching and striking them down with blasts of ice shards and swings of my blades.

I was death. I was glory. I was legend.

I made it to my brother, splashed with blood and wearing a wild smile. He had cleaved apart plenty of his own beasts and he cut down the last one with a savagery that echoed our father.

He hadn’t even broken a sweat and I was surprised to see him mirroring my smile back at me.

The iron door swung open to reveal daylight beyond and pure joy crashed through my chest. We’d done it. We’d completed the trial.

Ransom took a step away from me, flattening his smile as if he was trying to ignore the moment we’d just shared. His eyes widened in alarm as he started to slip into the chasm behind him and I swiftly caught hold of his tunic, yanking him back onto firm ground.

A deep frown creased his brow as he met my eye. “I would have caught myself,” he murmured as I snatched my hand away from him, unsure why the fuck I’d just done that.

“Sure you would.” I patted his cheek. “Come on, asshole. Father will have a feast waiting for you back in Castelorain. Your ass will be raw from all the kissing it’s going to get.”

“I’m not the only warrior they’ll be celebrating,” Ransom said, eyeing me curiously. “You’re going to war, runt. I suppose you have me to thank for making you this strong.”

I scowled, any warmth between us turning to ice just like that. “I was always strong enough to seize this fate, Ransom. You’ll see just what I’m capable of in battle soon enough.”

I turned my back on him, heading for the door, the sunlight, and my warrior future. The stars had deemed me worthy at last, and the world was about to learn my name.