MIRA'S POV
The words hit me like a physical blow when Elric said them.
"You have to fight Rael."
I stared at him standing in the doorway of my room, his face carved from stone. Behind him I could see Joseph and Elara hovering in the hallway like they were afraid to come closer.
"What do you mean I have to fight Rael?" My voice came out steadier than I felt.
"The third test." Elric stepped inside and closed the door. "The Council's announced it. You fight three Ashback warriors without killing them. Beta Marcus, some warrior named Sera and—"
"And Rael." I finished for him. My hands started shaking so I shoved them under my legs. "Of course. Because why would they make this fair?"
"It's a setup." Elric crossed the room in three strides and dropped to his knees in front
