The room stayed quiet after Jaeger disappeared behind the door. Leiya watched the empty doorway for a moment before turning toward Kota.
He had already returned to the window. His reflection barely showed against the glass.
"Get some rest," Kota told her. "We have a long day tomorrow."
Leiya shifted under the blanket and looked at him. "Aren't you going to sleep too?" she asked.
"I will," he answered.
"When?" she pressed.
"Later," he said.
Leiya stared at his back. She wanted to say something. The words never came. She lowered herself onto the pillow and closed her eyes.
Kota stayed at the window. By morning he still hadn't slept.
A knock sounded at the door. Kota turned and opened it. Rhen stood in the corridor.
"Morning. Xerxus sent me," Rhen said.
Kota stepped aside. "It's time?" he asked.
"The nobles are waiting," Rhen answered. He glanced past him toward Leiya. "I'll have someone grab your friends."
"That won't be necessary," Kota replied. "They won't come. They're still sleeping."
Leiya sat up and straightened her clothes. Rhen gave a small nod. "Then let's go," he said.
The three walked through the palace corridors toward the council chamber. Leiya noticed the servants and guards watching Kota as they passed.
She kept her eyes forward, though every few steps she caught another person staring.
At one intersection a guard looked at Kota for several seconds. Leiya's gaze shifted toward him. The guard immediately looked away. She continued without saying anything.
Near the council chamber a young man in pale Sanctum robes approached them. His eyes settled on Kota.
"Greetings. My name is Remi Solstia. Nice to meet you," he said, extending his hand.
Kota accepted it. "Kota Speedhardt. Nice to meet you," he replied.
The instant their hands touched Remi froze. His sensory ability spread through Kota's body.
"White Magic…" Remi muttered under his breath. Nothing. "Dark Magic…" Nothing.
His ability pushed deeper. Something answered. For the briefest moment Remi felt as though something had looked back at him. His pupils contracted. A bead of sweat formed along his temple.
What is that?
Remi released Kota's hand and wiped his palm against his Sanctum robes.
Kota studied him. "You alright?" he asked.
"Yes," Remi said. A beat passed. "No."
Kota's eyes narrowed slightly. "I've never sensed anything like you," Remi admitted.
Kota said nothing. He simply walked past him. Leiya glanced back and caught Remi staring at his own hand.
Rhen stepped beside Kota. "That was Remi," he said.
Kota glanced toward him. "Who is he?" he asked.
"Currently the sixth strongest Solstian," Rhen answered.
Kota looked back at Remi. "Didn't look that strong," he said.
Rhen's expression barely changed. "He doesn't need to," he replied.
The council chamber doors opened. Kota and Leiya entered. Rhen followed behind them. Remi waited a moment before entering.
The moment he stepped inside he spotted his sisters.
"Soho, wake up. The meeting is about to start," Remi called.
"Ugh. Five more minutes," Soho groaned.
"No, Soho. This is an important meeting. Sit up," Roco insisted.
"Why did Father invite us anyway? I'd rather sleep," Soho complained.
Remi slid into the empty chair beside them. "Of course you'd rather sleep. It's not like you have any obligations, Soho," he remarked.
Roco glanced toward him. "Remi, Soho was up all night again," she pointed out.
Soho straightened slightly. "Can you guys stop? Father insisted I train. I'm just doing what I'm told…" she defended.
She slumped back into her chair. "I hate these stupid meetings. Roco, can't we just toss this dude in a cellar until he rots?" she grumbled.
Roco turned sharply toward her. "Soho, that may be somebody very important. Don't say things like that," she warned.
Soho shrugged before looking toward Remi. "Remi, who is this guy anyway?" she asked.
Remi's eyes moved toward Kota. "Kota Speedhardt," he answered.
Soho followed his gaze. "And?" she pressed.
"I shook his hand before I came in," Remi explained.
Roco's expression shifted. "And?" she asked.
Remi rubbed his palm against his knee. "My sensory ability couldn't identify what was inside him," he admitted.
Soho's sleepy expression faded slightly. "White Magic?" she questioned.
Remi shook his head. "Neither White nor Dark."
Roco unfolded her arms. "Then what did you sense?" she pressed.
Remi hesitated. "Something underneath it," he replied.
Soho frowned. "Underneath his magic?" she asked.
"I don't know," Remi said. His gaze remained fixed on Kota. "For a moment it felt like something was looking back at me."
Roco and Soho exchanged a glance. Remi leaned back. "I've never experienced anything like it," he added.
Roco looked toward Kota again. "He doesn't look particularly dangerous," she observed.
Remi's eyes remained on him. "That's what makes it worse," he said.
Soho shrugged. "Maybe he's just weird," she muttered.
Remi didn't answer. Soho's attention drifted around the chamber. Her eyes landed on a familiar face.
"Look, Aunt Noire's here," she pointed out.
Roco glanced across the chamber. "Of course she is."
Soho's gaze moved farther down the table. "Eldora too."
Roco nodded. "The others are here too."
Soho looked around again, her eyes moving from one familiar noble to another. "Oh wow, even Nash and Indi too. Roco, you may be right. This guy is important," she remarked.
Roco's gaze settled on Kota. "That's what I'm thinking," she replied.
Soho sat up a little straighter. "Then why does he look like he doesn't care?" she wondered.
Remi glanced toward Kota. "That part I don't know," he admitted.
At the head of the chamber Xerxus took his seat. The remaining nobles settled around the table.
Harlan sat near the king, his attention already fixed on Kota. Caldera sat across from him, quietly observing the room.
Noire folded her hands together. Nash leaned back slightly while Indi sat upright beside the others.
Eldora slowly turned a ring around one finger.
Macey rested one arm against his chair, while Jude watched the room with a composed expression.
Jude cleared her throat. "Ahem. Silence in the room, please," she requested.
The remaining conversations died immediately.
Macey glanced toward Harlan. "I presume this is the boy you were talking about, Harlan," he remarked.
Harlan's eyes remained fixed on Kota. "Introduce yourself, boy," he ordered.
Kota looked across the table. "Kota Speedhardt," he said.
Harlan leaned back slightly. "And why are you here?" he asked.
"Answers," Kota replied.
"About?" Harlan pressed.
"My mother," Kota said.
The silver inkwell beside Harlan rolled slightly beneath his fingers. "Leona," Harlan muttered.
Kota watched him. "You know her," he said.
Harlan's hand stopped. "Everyone in this kingdom knows her name," he countered.
"That isn't what I asked," Kota replied.
Silence settled over the chamber. Leiya's gaze moved between them.
Harlan's jaw shifted. "She isn't the subject of this meeting," he stated.
"She is to me," Kota said.
"That doesn't make her relevant to us," Harlan answered.
Kota's eyes remained on him. "Then why did you tense up when I mentioned her?" he asked.
Harlan's palm struck the table. "You know nothing about her," he snapped.
"I know enough to ask," Kota replied.
Leiya's fingers tightened together, but she remained silent.
Caldera finally intervened. "Lord Harlan."
Harlan turned toward her.
"Let him speak," Caldera said.
"You would entertain this?" Harlan asked.
"I would rather hear him than decide his intentions for him," Caldera replied. Her attention returned to Kota. "You want answers about your mother."
"Yes," Kota answered.
"And you believe the people in this room have them?" she asked.
"Some of them," he said.
Caldera studied him. "Then what do you intend to do when you find those answers?" she questioned.
Kota paused. "I'll decide then."
Caldera's gaze remained on him. "Fair enough."
Harlan shook his head. "You're all ignoring the obvious," he argued.
Caldera looked toward him. "No. We're refusing to assume the worst simply because it's easier."
Harlan leaned forward. "He shouldn't remain in the palace," he insisted.
Several nobles shifted in their seats. Kota remained still.
Caldera rested both hands against the table. "Removing him solves nothing," she countered.
"Then what do you propose?" Harlan demanded.
"Keep him close." Her eyes settled on Kota. "Observe him."
The word caught Kota's attention.
Observe.
The voice returned.
You know you truly have the power to slaughter everyone in this room without a single thought.
Kota's eyes lowered.
Let me help you, boy. No one will ever look at you like you're a monster again.
Kota's fingers tightened against the armrest.
Do not interfere, woman.
A pause followed.
They are already deciding what you are.
Kota's eyes moved across the nobles.
Let them.
You don't have to.
Kota's gaze stopped on Harlan.
They will fear you eventually.
That is their choice.
The voice fell silent.
Kota rose. The chair scraped against the stone. Leiya's eyes lifted. She took half a step forward before stopping herself.
Kota looked directly at Caldera. "Observe me?" he questioned.
"Yes," Caldera answered.
Kota's eyes moved across the chamber. "Then observe me. We'll see what you find," he replied.
Xerxus raised a hand, silencing the room.
"I think I've heard enough from all present parties," he said. He looked around the table. "Now, all in favor of Kota remaining in the palace, say yes or no."
A clear majority of nobles answered at once.
"Yes."
Jude spoke next. "No."
Nash followed. "No."
Harlan's voice came last, cold and firm. "No."
Xerxus gave a single nod.
"Then it is decided. Kota Speedhardt will remain under observation within the palace."
Remi looked toward Kota. "I still have to finish Father's request," he stated.
Roco turned toward him. "And that is?" she asked.
"He wants me to test him," Remi replied.
Soho's grin widened. "Wait, really? I definitely want to see this," she said.
Remi's gaze remained on Kota. "I want to challenge you to a duel," he declared.
Kota watched him silently.
"Tomorrow. Let's fight," Remi proposed.
Kota's eyes narrowed slightly. "Why tomorrow?" he questioned.
Remi's expression shifted slightly.
"Let's do it now," Kota said.
Soho's eyes widened before a grin spread across her face. "Oh? I don't care where he came from. My vote is for him to stay," she murmured.
Roco closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Soho, you're making my head hurt. Stop being so stupid," she scolded.
Soho leaned back in her chair, still grinning. "I'm not being stupid. I'm being honest," she replied.
Xerxus looked at Remi.
"Remi, why would you want a duel if we've already settled this meeting?" Xerxus asked.
Remi paused for a moment. "I just want to see what he's capable of," he answered.
Kota glanced around the chamber. "Let's relocate. I don't want to destroy this room," he stated.
The chamber fell silent. Harlan leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing slightly as he watched Kota.
My son. One of the strongest Solstians. An Acolyte. He'll make quick work of this scum.
His expression remained composed.
The nobles exchanged glances. None of them moved to leave. They wanted to see what Kota was capable of for themselves.
Caldera's eyes remained fixed on him. Roco looked toward Remi. "You're actually doing this?" she asked.
Remi nodded. "Yes," he answered.
Soho's grin returned. "This is going to be fun," she said.
Remi turned toward the doors. "Follow me, everyone," he announced.
He stepped into the corridor. Roco and Soho followed immediately. The nobles rose from their seats behind them.
They were coming to watch.
Kota followed after them, with Leiya at his side.