Harriseen’s gaze settles on my Valtrue. I’m the last he looks at and the one whose eyes he holds the longest.
I clear the suspicions on my face. As much as I want him to know I don’t trust him or this, I still need him for one thing. My head dips a fraction of an inch in acknowledgment.
He smiles in victory and my teeth grind together.
“Let us begin.”
I stand statue still, observing every individual who makes their way to the Volreen. First, if they’ve given their Valtrue group a name, it’s called. If they haven’t, all five members are identified, plus any Attendants tied to anyone.
One by one, in order of the males, followed by the Binder, then the Attendants, are tested.
I store every ounce of information the High Chancellor announces in my mind. Who he shows more or less interest in, is noticed.
Thayla’s small, unhappy noise, and Yemi’s gasp ring in my ear as he announces one of the gods has now been found worthy of an Attendant. He recites the Attendant’s abilities, then halts this entire production to send one of his own Attendants to find the poor being.
Ten minutes pass in uncomfortable, murmured chatter.
Rossin Ogena, the Attendant, is escorted into the room and turns paler than the clouds when all eyes turn to him. His steps falter and his shoulders tense.
“I accept my Attendant,” Agustis, the new Attending God, states loud and proud.
Many laughs ring through the air as Rossin shakes his head frantically.
“Come on. Don’t do anything stupid, please,” Thayla whispers as though he may hear her.
I agree wholeheartedly with her plea.
Why? Because I know my Binder.
If someone does something with malicious intent to that Attendant whose life just changed for the worse, she’s going to react.
And we will back her.
Luckily, Rossin gathers himself and follows behind his new Attending God with his head hanging low. I make note in my mind to keep a close eye on him.
The test continues on at a sluggish pace and the nerves of Thayla and my brothers are palpable against my skin.
Regret and disappointment in myself rage no matter how much I try to convince my mind that it isn’t fair. I researched and did all that I knew to get us out of this situation.
If even a Beginning God—the one who can find a loophole for absolutely anything—reassured us there was no escaping this.
Then there was no escape.
The number of Valtrues waiting to be tested dwindles by the minute. The energy of the room leans heavier on the more relaxed side than anxious now that there are fewer of us to be tested.
Thayla presses her palm to my spine and I inhale sharply.
Exhale slowly.
It’s been up in the air about whose group would go first. Ours or Gladian’s.
That decision has been made.
“Rising Chancellor. Your Valtrue.”
We’re going to finally decide on a name for our Valtrue after this.
The Godrun Valtrue.
