The black dress was simple, but cut elegantly, fitting her like a glove, hugging her tightly down to the waist before flaring slightly and falling lightly to just below the knee. Her feet were bare, but her nails had been painted black to match the dress.
She turned to the women in amazement. “Thank you.” She said.
They remained silent, but rewarded her with a small smile in return before walking soundlessly out the door.
She wasn’t alone for long. A Cleaner soon arrived to escort her out. He led her through the gardens, which had been lit by a thousand fairy lights creating an atmosphere of festive magic. She followed him closely in the gathering darkness, struggling to see the path ahead. They finally stopped in front of a dark door, smaller in scale than the grand entrance to the Great Hall and significantly less imposing. The Cleaner gave her a shallow bow, then turned and walked away, quickly swallowed by the darkness.
Left alone, Allyra faced the door. She didn’t allow herself time to consider what might be waiting on the other side, quickly opening it and stepping through before her confidence and bravery failed her.
The room was lit by a pale orange light with walls made of the same smooth black rock she’d seen previously in the Great Hall. It was grand in scale, its large volume undiminished despite being filled with people dressed in similar cloaks as the one she wore. The cloaks were in different colors, each signifying the Element of the wearer. She reminded herself of Alex’s lessons: yellow for Air, red for Fire, blue for Water and green for Earth.
Based on her first quick scan around the room, there were no silver Elementals anywhere to be seen. Despite the fine gossamer material, the cloaks managed to hide the identity of the wearer, keeping their faces in shadow. Dispersed amongst them were others, more regularly dressed people – the families of the Trials participants.
Suddenly, Allyra felt very alone, her courage threatened to fail her and she couldn’t help but take a step backwards, almost completely overwhelmed by the need to run. She was contemplating whether she could slip outside unseen when she felt a warm hand on her arm. Spinning around, she found herself staring up into Rob’s familiar face. She didn’t have time to question his presence or voice her surprise before he pulled her into a fierce hug, gripping her tightly.
The spicy scent of him transported her instantaneously to a different time. A time when he’d been her protector, her surrogate brother. A time when things had been simple and easy; when she, along with Jamie and Emma had spent endless hours under Rob’s watchful eye – free and wild in the vast openness of home.
Her emotions threatened to overwhelm her, like a flood of water rushing over a collapsing dam. Childish, petulant tears pricked the edge of her eyes. She wanted to tell Rob everything, and wanted him to tell her in return that it was all going to be ok.
She’d thought she could do this, alone, and be as strong as Alex had taught her to be. She’d thought she could accept all that life had thrown at her. But with Rob’s arms wrapped around her, she was no more than a child again, wanting her older brother to save her.
Rob whispered in her ear as they remained locked in a hug. “I know you have questions, but not now. Don’t trust anyone. You’re not safe here. Nod if you understand.”
Allyra’s heart threatened to burst through her chest. She nodded, not sure that she did understand. A cloud of confusion and fear quickly replaced her initial joy at Rob’s presence. The Revenant had shown her that fear was a powerful thing, not fear for herself, but for Jamie and Rob. It was the people you love the most that have the most power to hurt you. Having already lost her father, she was now terrified that something might happen to either Rob or Jamie.
A set of doors was thrown open behind them. Another Cleaner – dressed completely in black and wearing the requisite silver mask, announced that family and friends were to take their seats within the Great Hall, as the First Test was about to begin.
Rob squeezed her hand before he walked away, leaving her more disturbed and unbalanced than she’d been before she stepped into the room. The Cleaner called for the Terras to follow him into the Hall to take their instructions. Everyone in green cloaks separated themselves from the crowd and followed the Cleaner through the doors.
Allyra sank into a chair and settled in to wait her turn. She picked mindlessly at the black nail polish on her fingernails, trying to untangle the jumble of questions in her mind.
Despite all the lessons and preparation she’d done with Alex in the Between, now that she was back, none of it was as she expected. She’d been prepared to lie and fight her way onto the winner’s podium, but now she had more than herself to think about. More important than her own safety and freedom was that of Jamie and Rob.
“You’re less impressive than I expected.”
Allyra jumped at the slow, drawling voice. The source of the vague insult had occupied the seat next to her. He was wearing the red cloak of an Inferno, but the hood was thrown back, leaving his mocking smile clearly visible. Despite the sardonic look twisting over his features, there was no hiding the fact that he was quite simply stunning. Though based on the smug arrogance of his demeanor, he was all too aware of that fact.
“Piss off Jason.”
Allyra looked up, “Eva?”
And it was Eva; her red hair hidden under a blue hood, a fierce scowl on her face.
“Seriously Jason, go away. You’re not wanted here.” Eva spat out, surprising Allyra with the venom in her voice.
Jason raised an elegant eyebrow. “What’s the problem Eva? I just wanted to know how an insignificant
