Page 67 of The Last Syphon

Prince Walder remained quiet for a moment before nodding once. “This is true.”

No. Fuck. No. Inara was not going to allow them to accuse her of cheating.

“That’s what this is for.” She held up her arm, making sure the brand on her skin was visible to all. “It’s a brand temporarily blocking access to my soul-link.”

Larissa sneered. “Are we just supposed to take your word for it that the brand is legitimate?”

“I can confirm it is.” Princess Phaedra stepped forward.

“As can I.” A woman stood in the stands. Tall. Curvy. Auburn hair.

Melaine.

She raised her voice so it could be heard throughout the entire arena. “I placed the brand on her myself and can verify its authenticity. Her connection to the Guardian Fraener is temporarily blocked.”

Flustered, Larissa whipped her gaze from Inara to the woman in question. “It does not matter. A Chosen is ineligible to compete in the trials, therefore, her position in first place is forfeited.”

“Is it a written law?” Inara questioned.

“It…” Larissa hesitated.

“I’ll take that as a no.”

“It is implied! No Chosen has ever competed in the Shielder Trials before.”

“There has never been a Chosen with the ability to Shield before,” Princess Phaedra countered instantly. “This is unknown territory.”

The Princess and Larissa began to argue, their anger and voices rising with each passing second. A divide cut through the crowd as they started to squabble amongst themselves. Inara’s eyes zipped and sliced around the entire arena, watching the chaos unfold as people fought desperately to get their point across.

Inara had not expected such controversy.

Some of the other Shielders moved to stand at Larissa’s back, taking her side, showing where their support lay. The identical twins Inara had met the day before, a man with long blonde hair and another woman, eyes dark and cold.

Felix stomped his way over and stood at Inara’s back, glaring at Larissa.

Na-Ri did not move. Her gaze moved from Larissa to Inara. Back and forth, back and forth. Indecision flashed across her face. Inara gave her a friendly smile. She was not expecting the woman to back her. She didn’t know her, after all. In fact, Inara expected none of their support, nor did she need it.

Although she wanted first place, Inara didn’t want it for the same reason all the others did. She’d merely done all of this to prove a point. To teach the royals sitting high up in those stands not to judge someone based on where they came from, but on their merits. What they were capable of. Not for something entirely out of their control.

“Silence!” Prince Walder boomed. The man stood as the room quietened in an instant. “This is an unprecedented matter, and therefore, requires a vote from the High Council. All those in favour of allowing Chosen Inara to compete in the Shielder Trials, raise your hand.”

They all raised their hands except for Lord Villani.

“All against?”

Lord Villani raised his hand.

Prince Walder nodded. “It is decided.” His cold, violet eyes sliced to her. “Congratulations,” he said, voice monotone. Inara could not determine if he was happy or angry about the verdict.

He was the only one who did not vote.

“No!” Larissa screeched. “No! This isn’t fair! How can you do this?! You can’t do this! You can’t!” Power pulsed around her in an angry wave. A lot of power.

Prince Walder stared the Shielder down. “The High Council’s word is final.”

Tears glistened in Larissa’s eyes. She did not allow them to fall. Instead, she cut Inara a scathing look—one that spoke of nothing but hatred and violence. “This isn’t over,” she hissed at her before spinning on her heel and storming off.

“I think she’s gonna try to kill you,” Felix whispered in Inara’s ear.