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The merwoman returns and says something that sounds like it’s time.
Mom squeezes my hand and gives me a reassuring glance. “You’ve got this. We’re all rooting for you.”
“Thanks. Where’s Dad?”
“He’s preparing for the final trial.” Mom closes her eyes for a moment. “I hope he’s right about his plan. I’ve been worried sick.”
My stomach lurches. “I don’t want this any more than you do.” I want to tell her about my secret plan, but I don’t dare with someone else in the room. Especially not someone I can’t understand.
We part ways, and I follow Shelly down a hall with the trident. We go through another door into a locker room. Cheers from a crowd sound on the other side of another wall.
She turns to me, and I actually understand her. “They’re announcing you.”
I force a smile. “Great.”
“This way.” She leads me down another hallway, and the noise from the crowd grows louder.
If I don’t pass the trials, everyone in Valora will know. They’re expecting me to be successful. And they also have no idea how the final trial is going to go down. Nobody will, and that’s my plan.
Shelly opens the door. “It’s time.”
I squeeze my weapon so tightly my hands hurt. More than anything, I want to run in the opposite direction. Instead, I inch closer.
