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Sixteen
Rosalie
All of us stood near a ring outside with target dummies in the center. Lord Demious walked into the middle, wearing that grand smile of his. His long red and black coat flapped in the wind.
“Good morning, ladies,” he said. “Today, we will test your magical abilities. Each one of you will step into this ring where I will remove your collar and you will be allowed to showcase your talent. As I have said before, my bride will need to exhibit powerful magic. Remember, you will be a ruler of Farrow’s Gate and your lineage will keep this land safe.”
Whispers and excitement buzzed around us. I admitted. I was curious to see what the other girls were able to do, especially that trio to my left. The sisters huddled together, conversing. Claudia glared at me. Today, she wore a ruby dress that tied in the front, pushing her breasts up, making them seem bigger than they really were. She may have been prettier than me, but no bodice would ever get her chest to be as big as mine.
It was a silly thing to be proud of, but I was. I liked my curves, and I didn’t need to be constricted to death to show them off.
“Where have you been? I’ve been so worried.” Janetta moved next to me and hugged me. “They wouldn’t tell us anything except that you were hurt and needed to rest. I’ve been in a panic ever since you disappeared.”
“I’m okay,” I whispered, squeezing her back. “I’ll explain everything later, I promise.”
Ms. Begalia clapped, forcing the conversation to end.
“Alicia,” Lord Demious said. “Step forward.”
Alicia walked into the ring. Her white dress blended with her pale hair and skin tone making her ghost like. Lord Demious waved a hand in front of her collar, and it fell into his hands. At the same time, an iridescent bubble rose around the ring, encasing the two inside.
“Proceed,” he said, and moved to the edge of the ring.
This is what all of us had been waiting for. The real reason each of us were even considered.
I held my breath, waiting to see Alicia’s power.
She took one step and vanished.
All of us gasped, except Lord Demious who stood with a focused gaze on the spot Alicia left. Moments later, she reappeared right next to the dummy.
“A shadow walker.” Demious’ expression tightened, and I didn’t miss the quick glance he gave Baine. “There are very few people who can shadow walk. Alec failed to mention your unique ability.”
Quickly, Lord Demious placed the collar back on her neck, not waiting for a response. “You may return to the others.”
With a flick of his wrist, the shield around the ring lowered, letting Alicia out. She glanced back at the ring and her expression fell. Was she hoping to impress the magistrate? He didn’t seem pleased with her ability.
“Claudia.” Lord Demious called the oldest sister of the trio forward.
She sauntered into the ring, a cocky smile on her lips. Her black hair swayed with her steps, and there was no doubting the desire in Demious’ gaze when he watched her.
He removed her collar, and the session started.
Suddenly, there were three Claudias in the ring.
“Illusionary. Good.” Lord Demious walked around the clones. “But nothing extraordinary.”
Claudia scowled at the comment and lifted her hands.
The ring went black.
Guards ran forward, and Janetta and I looked at each other.
A moment later, the darkness receded, and Lord Demious laughed.
“You’ve made your point, Claudia. Well done.” He put the collar back on and whispered in her ear. Whatever he said made her smile as her face lit and she hurried back to her sisters.
On and on the exercises went. Most of the girls had similar arcane abilities, only one had the power to summon a creature—Lord Demious thoroughly enjoyed that, but my favorite was watching Janetta.
