She shook her head. Questions were flooding in – important, glaring questions that she couldn’t quite believe were only occurring to her now. “Wait, wait, wait. One – if the Gates aren’t lawfully opened – how are you so sure I will get back and how are you here? Two – why will I be going to the Elemental College? Surely it would make more sense to go back to the Baobab tree?”
“Which question do you want me to answer first? I think I counted five back there.” Alex said lightly.
Allyra raised her eyebrows at him.
His mood sobered quickly and he rubbed his hand across his eyes wearily. “I know something of the Council and the way they take decisions. You crossed the Veil, illegally. They’re going to want answers from you. To get them, they’ll have to enable your return. So they’re going to have to open a Gate for you.”
A grin suddenly broke across his face, making him young, playful and so, so handsome. “I said the Gates haven’t opened lawfully, not that they haven’t opened at all. With enough skill – it’s possible to hide the opening of a Gate. And in case you haven’t noticed yet – I am skillful.”
Allyra rolled her eyes at him and decided that she wouldn’t dignify his statement with an actual response.
Alex’s grin grew wider. “And finally – your last question: why the Elemental College. Close your eyes.”
She looked at him questioningly and he gestured for her to comply. She hesitated, not quite trusting him not to suddenly attack her while she had her eyes closed, before finally obliging with his request.
“I know it’s hard for you, but don’t think too hard about this. If I asked you to take me to your body – where would you take me?”
And somehow, she did know. It was built in instinct, like a bee returning to the hive – she could almost see a pale silver string lighting her way.
“Sanctuary Hill.” She answered with conviction.
Allyra opened her eyes, suddenly unsure, “Isn’t that just because it’s the place I know best?”
“No.” Alex replied simply, “Sanctuary Hill is the location of the Fever Tree Gate, within the heart of the Elemental College. The Council would’ve taken you there – to the protections it offers. Only under those protections will they risk the opening of a Gate. You’ll always be linked to your body, trust the link to take you home.”
Alex picked up a sharp rock and turned it around in his hand, studying it, lingering over it, and using it as an excuse to avoid a difficult subject. Finally, he flung it hard down the slope and they both watched with undue fascination as it bounced erratically down the hill, collecting others on its journey down.
“There’s more.” He said quietly.
“Of course there is.” Allyra replied, not bothering to hide the sarcasm in her voice.
“You crossing the Veil was unauthorized and nothing you say to the Council will change that. They’re going to enforce some action against you.”
“Don’t be coy – call it what it really is – punishment.” She said bluntly.
Allyra tried to ignore the icy dread forming in her stomach as he nodded reluctantly. She tried to convince herself that she preferred the truth – ugly and unedited. Life had taught her that it was always better to be prepared.
“I don’t know the exact punishment. They will debate whether it was deliberate and whether you have sufficient control over your Gift to be allowed back into the world.”
“Fine. But cut to the chase – what punishment? Spare no ugly details.”
She watched as he swallowed, a tendon tightening to emphasize the long, elegant line of his throat. It was unusual for him to ever show this much emotion. He was nervous – for her.
“Death is an option.” He said quietly, but then rushed to explain once he saw her stricken expression. “But I don’t think they’ll take it – they simply don’t know enough to justify that. So it comes down to two things – solitary confinement or the Elemental Trials.”
Allyra waited silently for him to continue.
Alex turned his eyes to her and she met them calmly. He smiled whimsically, with an apology hidden deep in his dark eyes. She felt as if they’d reached an unspoken agreement. He would continue to explain – with all the gory details. And she would do her best not to freak out…
“The Elemental Trials is a competition – it was mandatory for all Elementals to participate, though any of the other Gifted were also welcome to compete. The Trials were used to test the Elementals and their understanding of the power contained in their Gift. They had to show that it would never be used deliberately to harm others.”
“It was also a proving ground – to find the best and strongest of the Gifted – those who would go on to take the responsibility of renewing the Source and protection of the Veil. Crossing into the Between is dangerous and the Trials were used to find those able to shoulder the burden.”
“To serve this purpose, the Trials were difficult and dangerous, but the winners were revered as the greatest amongst the Gifted and many were willing to risk everything for the honor. You’re going to have to prove yourself and show the Council you have sufficient control over your Gift. You’ll have to win the Trials.”
“And if I don’t?”
“You will.”
“But I might not.” She persisted.
He glared at her, annoyed by either her pessimism or her persistence. “They’ll try to imprison you and you’ll have to fight your way out.”
“So, allow me to sum up.” Allyra said bitterly. “I’ll have to win the Elemental Trials, which will pit me against the strongest and the most powerful of the Gifted. If I fail at that, I’ll just fight my way through the Council that represents the highest authority of the Gifted. Oh – and let’s not forget that this is all assuming they don’t just kill me
