Chapter 20: Trial by Water
The Order convened officially one week after the Zagrin attack.
Not in the magical realm, but in the restricted hallway I'd stumbled into that first day. The building was older than Rankeda itself, Aaliyah explained, built specifically for Order business. The wards responded only to the seven bloodlines.
Six chairs sat in a circle inside the main chamber. All were occupied except mine.
"Zara Okonkwo," the dean said formally. He'd transformed from administrator to something else entirely. Power radiated from him in waves I could now sense. "You stand before the Order as a petitioner for the seventh seat. Do you accept the responsibilities this position entails?"
I'd rehearsed this. "I do."
"Do you swear to protect the balance between the human and magical r
