“What time do you think we should leave tonight for the Aurkai wing?” she asked, holding her books to her chest.
The letter about our selection hit me like a cold shower. I’d been worried over her odd behavior that I’d forgotten all about it.
“Oh yeah,” I said. “We should leave at six so we aren’t late.”
Isabella nodded.
A pregnant silence fell between us.
“Anna,” she said, “about last night. I’m sorry for being weird. Sometimes I have vivid nightmares if I don’t get enough sleep.”
I glanced at her, seeing the smear of her mascara and the creases in her foundation. She did seem to be worn down lately.
“Was what you said true?” I asked. “About your dad?”
She nodded. “Yeah. I’ve known for some time that he wasn’t my real father. He’s the closest thing I have to one, though.”
“And what you said about the Realm,” I started.
She nodded. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure I was born there, but I don’t think he realizes I remember it.”
“Welcome.”
Ezreal Kalmont stood at the head of the table by the fire, the glow making him look wreathed in flame.
I sat next to Isabella at the table inside the Aurkai wing.
I made brief eye contact with Blake but he looked away.
My heart sank. I was tired of this. It wasn’t fair. I let my everi flare, forcing him to glance at me again and I frowned.
He exhaled in an irritated huff.
Oh, he was mad? Good.
Caelan and Saryna caught the exchange and Caelan cleared his throat.
“You are both here tonight to be recognized and informed by the Aurkai of what the selection process involves. Currently, youare the only two this year to be selected. Once informed, you will be given a choice to accept or decline,” Caelan said. “Do you understand?”
Isabella and I nodded.
“Good. As you are aware, the Aurkai are representatives from each of the three Kingdoms of The Falls, Celestia and La’Thenya. Should you choose to enter the Realm through the rift, you will be meeting with the Council that will decide your path forward and which kingdom will host you,” he said. “You may put in your requests to the Council, but ultimately, they will determine where you go from there.”
Unease shifted into my joints. “I thought it was our choice?”
I stared at Blake but he wouldn’t look at me.
“The Council will consider your feelings on the matter,” Roslyn said. “But given that Adepts have only Nightfall and the Aurkai as a foundation for each kingdom, Adepts usually express their desires based on affinities and tutelage rather than political affiliations.”
“This is correct,” Ezreal said. “You will be sent where you will be most needed based on your skills. Once a decision has been made, there will be no more consideration. Being selected is a rare event for an Adept, and some years, none are chosen. There is a reason for this: entering the Realm is not for the weak. Passing through the rift unassisted and into our world is not an easy task.”
He was watching me. I didn’t look up. How did he know Blake took me?
“Any selected Adept must accept that passing through the rift may cost them their life,” Roslyn said. “It is why we only choose those who are the most capable.”
I glanced at Isabella. There was no way she’d say no. She wanted to go to the Realm as much as I did to learn more about her family—like me.
“Okay.”
