A Trial of Sorcerers: Book One by Kova, Elise (universal ebook reader .txt) 📕

on her door stopped her—four fast knocks, a pause, and then two slow.

She scowled and closed the book, sliding it under her bed and replacing it with one of her other notebooks. “Come in, Marcus.”

Her brother slipped inside, closed the door behind him, and leaned against it. He ran a hand through his golden hair uncertainly, as if questioning why he came. Eira was about to do the same.

“What do you want?” She flipped a page of her notebook nonchalantly.

“I wanted to talk, one-on-one.”

“All right, we’re talking.” She could see him frown from the corners of her eyes.

“Grahm, Fritz, Mom and Dad, we’re all just trying to protect you. We don’t mean to upset you.”

“I can protect myself.”

“Eira.” He sighed. “I know you can…but these trials—the tournament—is more than surviving the day to day of the Tower. It’s more than helping people at the clinic or conducting research with Mister Levit. If you try to be a competitor everyone will be watching you.”

“So?”

“I thought you didn’t like attention drawn to you?”

“It’s not my favorite,” she admitted, then flicked her eyes to his. “But Meru is my favorite.”

“We don’t even know if the actual Tournament of Five Kingdoms will take place on Meru.”

“Aunt Gwen told me it would be.” Eira glanced at him. Marcus cursed softly and shook his head. The dark waters in her churned violently at the sight. “You knew, too.”

“Uncle asked me not to say so that—”

“So that I wouldn’t be more motivated to compete?” Eira arched her eyebrows.

“So that people wouldn’t accuse him of favoritism and giving me special information.”

It sounded like a lie, but Eira looked back at her journal and pretended to ignore it. Move aside for Marcus; let Marcus have a chance. The words were in her depths, rising to the surface as ugly, primordial beasts.

“Listen, Eira… I know what you care about most is going to Meru.” Marcus pushed away from the door to stand at her bedside. “If I’m selected as a competitor, I’ll bring you along.”

“You can do that?” She searched his expression for another lie.

“I’m sure there will be assistants to the competitors in some fashion. Between me, Uncle, Auntie, and their connections, we’ll find a way to get you there.”

“And all I have to do is step aside and let you win?”

Marcus glanced at her notebook, flipped it closed, and slid it away from her so he could sit on the edge of the bed. Eira pushed herself upright as well.

“Think about it. You don’t really care about competition. You want to learn more about Meru. Right?”

“You’re a fool,” she whispered with a shake of her head. “I’m doing this for you, too.” Eira grabbed his hand, pleading, “Uncle, Mom, and Dad, they’re all going to expect you to keep looking after me. You’re never going to feel free to go off and live your own life. Even if I’m not chosen as the final Waterrunner, getting far in the trials will show them that I can stand on my own without you.”

Marcus clasped his hand tightly with hers. “That’s it, then? That’s what you want?” He chuckled and shook his head. “Fine, take the test and pass the first trial with flying colors as we all know you will. You can always throw in the towel later, after you’ve proved your point.”

“I…” Was that all she wanted? If Marcus could bring her with him, then wouldn’t it be easier to allow him to be the final Waterrunner? She’d have more time to focus on experiencing, studying, and learning if she wasn’t a competitor in the Tournament.

But if she didn’t compete…she had no guarantees she would go to Meru. He thought he could get her there. But that might mean very little.

“Love you, sister.” Marcus leaned forward and planted a kiss on her forehead. He stood and left before she could say anything else.

Eira was restless that night.

She tossed and turned in bed, dreams haunted by beaches on faraway lands churned up by frigid gray seas. She woke, sweat-slicked and in a panic, more than once. The Tower was noisy tonight. Her usually silent room was filled with whispers that she forced away.

Come morning, she was ready to face the test if for no other reason than to have something to focus her mind on. Eira could be her own worst enemy when left alone.

She was the first to arrive, nearly an hour early. Mister Levit was already there and he permitted her to have the seat of her choice. Eira picked one off to the side and toward the back. She wanted to see everyone else who came in.

Other Waterrunners slowly filled the tables. There appeared to be thirty of them in total that signed up—the largest contingent compared to Groundbreakers and Firebearers. Fifteen would be cut today. Eira could pin about five or six who had no chance, just based off her brief interactions with them in classes.

Marcus entered, sun shining off his hair in a way that made it look almost as light as hers. The way he strode in with purpose, shoulders back and chin high…he walked like a prince. He’d no doubt been studying Cullen. Eira could almost hear the whispers and swooning of ladies in the stands, and she fought rolling her eyes.

His gaze swept to hers and Marcus gave her a small nod, one Eira returned. To him, it was likely a gesture of a plan they both knew. For Eira, it said, Let the games begin.

“You will have one hour to complete the exam. If you finish early, you may bring your exam up to me. Once you stand from your seat, you may not sit again. Any cheating or…” Mister Levit began to go through his explanation as the assistants passed out the written portions. He changed the examination each day with the help of the Master of Tome from the library. That way it was impossible for anyone to relay answers.

Eira ran her nail along the corner of the