Page 142 of The Fifth Heir

Mother held Father’s hand. Camilla leaned forward, her eyes fixed on me. When our gazes met, she gave me a small nod.

I held on to it.

Camilla had warned me not to trust the four men now positioned around me. None of them had known this demonstration was coming. My sister had arrived yesterday asking exactly how my power worked.

Malcolm addressed the Hall.

“The fifth heir has demonstrated no recognized elemental affinity. However, her torc and isolated scale have responded to light and elemental power. Today’s controlled exposure will determine whether she carries an independent manifestation or draws power from the four chosen heirs.”

Whispers moved through the gallery.

Draws power.

Not redirects. Not responds to.

Draws.

The word made me a thief before the first channel opened. Around me, four torcs brightened in answer—not with power, but with the anger of the men wearing them.

“What does that mean?” someone asked.

“Can she take their elements?”

“Would it weaken the other heirs?”

The acoustical runes carried every question.

Rafe lifted his hand.

Malcolm did not call on him.

“I’d like the official record to reflect that Talia has never taken my power,” Rafe said anyway.

Several candidates laughed nervously.

“She did redirect Fire during the assessment,” an academy representative called.

“That didn’t belong to me,” Rafe replied.

“It belonged to Torren,” Malcolm said. “Whether it remained his after contacting her magic is one of the questions we intend to answer.”

Torren’s Fire rune flared beneath his boots.

The headmaster rose from his chair.

“This is a demonstration, not a hearing. No conclusion will be drawn until the results are independently examined.”

The gallery quieted.

Malcolm gestured toward a runemaster carrying a recording slate.

“The procedure will begin with individual exposure at minimal strength. Talia’s physical condition will be monitored throughout. The test will stop if she shows signs of uncontrolled transformation or magical overload.”

The runemaster handed the slate to the healer.

I caught sight of the notes before she lowered it.

Subject routinely minimizes pain.