Chapter 4

The final round of the Trial ended.

Vesper was the first to rush out of the Trial grounds.

"Mom, Dad, I did great, and the prophecy didn't come true. Let's hurry home and tell Lenore the good news!"

My father nodded. His eyes were red as he took to the air.

"Good. It's all over now. We'll head home right away. Lenore's been alone for two days. She's had more than enough time to think things through.

"We'll let her out, and then the whole family will go to the Dragon God's temple to pray!"

My mother flew beside him, tears sliding down her face.

"I was too hard on Lenore, I admit it. As long as she's willing to change, I'll treat her the same as Vesper from now on."

I drifted in the air, not knowing how to feel.

Father. Mother.

I waited eighteen years to hear you say that.

What a shame I didn't live to see it.

They returned to the nest.

Vesper rushed in ahead of everyone.

A second later, she stopped dead.

She saw that I hadn't touched a single ember crystal.

Her voice began to shake.

"Lenore... she hasn't come out in two whole days!"

My mother froze for a moment, then her face hardened.

She stormed over to the freezing chamber and slammed her palm against the barrier.

"Lenore! How much longer are you going to keep this up?

"Do you have any idea how worried your sister has been about you? She could barely eat or sleep during the Trial! Who are you trying to fool with this playing-dead act?"

My father lost his temper too and stepped forward.

"Lenore, I have never been so disappointed in you.

"Your sister spent the last two days worrying about you, and you can't show even a shred of remorse?"

Vesper hurried forward to stop them, her voice trembling.

"Father, Mother... Lenore wouldn't do this for no reason. Something must have happened to her!"

Our parents both froze.

Just then, Kellan walked into the nest.

He came up to the barrier and held up his message crystal.

"Master Theron just sent word. Lenore missed the coming-of-age Trial, but because of her outstanding record, he wants to make an exception and recommend her for admission to the Hidden Realm."

His voice was heavy with disappointment.

"Lenore, did you ask him to make an exception for you? Why would you do that?"

My mother erupted.

"We raised you for eighteen years, and this is how you repay us? You miss the Trial, then ask your teacher to pull strings to get you in anyway?"

My father's face darkened too.

"Your sister has always defended you, and all you think about is yourself, even if it costs her life. And here we were rushing home to take you to the temple to pray!

"Lenore, how did I ever raise such a heartless daughter?"

They all stood outside the chamber, passing judgment on a daughter who was already dead.

Only Vesper rushed forward, clawing desperately at the barrier.

"Mother! Can't you feel how cold it is inside? It's freezing in there!"

My mother roared.

"Enough!"

Her eyes bloodshot, she charged over and dragged Vesper away from the barrier.