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I reach for it, feeling for the thread of magic that is uniquely hers. Magic hums all around me, it’s strong in this room. The proctors are all very powerful.
Though, one magic stands out the most.
And it’s like nothing I’ve ever felt before.
It’s dark and seductive.
And I want it.
I pull on the unfamiliar magic and it wraps around me like a warm embrace. It wants to connect with me as much as I want it.
Suddenly, I catch myself and I release the dark magic. I don’t recognize it and it’s strong. Far too strong. Last time I used magic that powerful, I killed someone. I can’t take that risk again and I certainly can’t risk showing the prince what I really am.
Instead, I find something familiar. Something that feels like a shifter. I’m not sure which proctor it belongs to but it feels strong.
I grab hold of it and use it to give myself a physical boost. It’s enough and I’m able to quickly propel myself up the wall and ring the bell.
It’s costing me time to take the safe route, but I have no choice. I can’t afford to show off too much, but I have to be perfect. I don’t know how far Liam let himself drop.
The next station has a potion sitting on a table. I sniff it and recognize it as it as a darkness potion. What do they want me to do with that?
I glance over at the proctors and see them taking notes on their clipboards. Frowning, I look back at the potion and glance around the room. I’ll come back to this one if I have time.
There are four more stations. One of them has a single ladder propped against a wall. Next to the ladder is a circle full of smoking hot coals. In the center of the coals is an object sitting on a stand.
It’s an odd set up but I think I get what they want me to do.
I knock the ladder down so it creates a bridge over the coals and quickly channel someone’s demon magic to keep the ladder from burning. It works and I’m over the ladder and back with the object in under a minute.
Once I hop off the ladder I peek at the object I just collected. It’s a key and I know it has to be useful for something.
After a glance around the room, I find a wardrobe sitting off to the side. Running over to it, I slide the key in and turn.
A woman steps out. She’s got a blindfold over her eyes and her hair is like snakes.
Nope, strike that. Her hairissnakes.
Oh shit.
I close my eyes quickly then realize that’s not going to help. Then I remember the darkness potion. I take off at a sprint and grab the potion. Without waiting, I throw the potion to the ground and shout the spell.
The whole room goes dark.
I won’t be able to look in the Gorgon’s eyes if I can’t see her. But the potion won’t last long.
Reaching for the fae magic I can feel flowing into the room from Professor Lee, I grasp the thread and use her heightened senses to help me find the monster in the dark.
I can hear the proctors breathing.
I can feel the cooler air coming in from the air vents nearby.
I can sense the vibrations of movements as someone walks over the wood floor.
Turning toward the movement, I lunge for the Gorgon. She surprisingly puts up little resistance and I’m able to wrangle her back into the wardrobe.
Using my fingers, I find the keyhole and lock the door just as the lights flicker to life.
“Time’s up,” Dr. Wilcox calls.
I’m panting and I brush my hair away from my face. The ten minutes was over in a flash and I didn’t get to every station. I have to hope it was enough.
“New ranks will be updated at six,” Dr. Wilcox says.
“Well done, Ms. Love,” Prince Alastor says.
His words send a shiver down my spine and I try not to let him get to me. I nod. “Thank you.”
The woman who led me in stands and walks toward the door. I walk past her and as soon as I’m back in the hall I feel like a weight was lifted from my shoulders. It’s over.
I did my best. Now, all I can do is wait.
