ELEVEN
Before Maerishka could respond to Kern’s absurd proclamation, the sound of giggling drew her attention. Standing on the small balcony overlooking the room was a small girl. She leaned her elbows against the railing, resting her head on one hand. Her ankles were crossed casually, and her curled dark ponytails bobbed with her laughter. “Gods, huh?” she said in a high-pitched voice. “This is going to be fun.” She swept a calculating eye over each of them and stood, clapping her hands together. “I’ll take the serious looking one. You can have the rest.” Placing her hands flat on the railing, she easily went into a handstand and flipped off. Rebounding off the ground with a roll and jump, she spring boarded off Eirae’s shoulder to land at the back of the room. Leaning forward, one hand
