Page 176 of Powerless

Murmurs skitter across the crowd but Father’s booming voice cuts through them easily. “The person there is deserving of this punishment. They have committed crimes against the kingdom and will pay for them with their life.”

I’m not surprised. This way, the king will guarantee at least one kill to entertain the people during this Trial. I mentally shuffle through each prisoner I know to be rotting in our dungeons, wondering which sorry soul will meet its end today.

“May you all bring honor to your kingdom, your family, and yourself.”

The crowd echoes the king’s words as an Imperial leads each of us to a separate opening of the maze. My eyes dart across The Pit, scanning the Imperials and the contestants they are escorting.

And then I see her.

Silver hair pinned up, swaying with each stride. Twenty-eight freckles dotting her nose, though I can’t count them from here. Lips I have yet to truly taste pressing together, and ocean eyes crashing into mine.

I give her something then—a smile. One that is meant only for her.

There’s nothing I can say to her, no time to taunt her with teasing words if only to ensure she will stay alive long enough to punch me in the face when this is all over.

So I don’t say a thing.

I raise my hand and flick nothing but the air in front of me as I hold her gaze.

Plagues, the glowing grin she gives me is gorgeous.

She lifts her hand, flicks the air, and—

And then she’s gone.

ChapterFifty-Five

Paedyn

Today is the day.In fact, today might be my last day.

The Imperial guides me to an opening near the other side of the maze, leaving me there to stare up at the looming walls of foliage that dare me to enter. Dare me to get lost within its twist and turns.

Just survive today. That’s all you have to do.

The sound of snapping twigs and twisting hedges from within the maze tells me that the paths are changing again. The maze is moving.

Movement to my left has my head swiveling towards a young girl, eyes glossy and unblinking as she stares at me with a hand raised above us, projecting what I hope is an emotionless expression onto one of the giant screens for all to see. There must be dozens of them patiently awaiting us in the maze, ready to broadcast the bloodshed.

I keep my face blank as I turn back to the opening of the maze in front of me, though I’m restless to race inside and get this over with.

Everything will change after today.

“Let the final Trial begin.”

I barely hear the king’s words echo through the arena before the cries of the crazed crowd drowns them out. I blink away my thoughts, blinking up at the opening before me and the walls awaiting.

And then I’m running.

As soon as I step into the maze, I’m smothered by the blanket of shadows. It’s dark and damp but I don’t slow my pace. I run through the path of plants and hedged walls, skidding to a stop when I’m faced with my first decision.

Left or right.

I don’t have the time to ponder my options, so I hang a left and am immediately faced with the same decision.

Right.

I run and run and—

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