“So, this is him.” Layt raised an eyebrow at Weylin, scrutinizing his every move.

  Weylin seemed unconcerned by his blatant staring. A soft smile pulled at his lips, his hand busy with the warm cup of jasmine tea.

  The two men were in contrast to each other. Weylin was all light and smiles, whereas Layt was nothing but brooding mood and mocking smirks.

  “Drink your tea and be on your way.”

  Layt ignored her, staring owlishly as Weylin took another sip of his tea.

  He leaned toward her, mock-whispering, “As much as it pains me to admit it, you’re right. There’s nothing special about him. I thought there was something to him.” He shook his head ruefully.

  Talia shot him a glare. He was sitting just in front of him. Where did Layt’s manner disappear to? That was if he had any.

  Weylin’s smile didn’t falter. “What might you have expected?” he asked pleasantly.

  “I don’t know. A fire-breathing Wyvern? A mind-twisting demon? Anything but a weak human.”

  “He’s not weak,” Talia hissed under her breath.

  He wasn’t weak, far from it. She still couldn’t pinpoint where that hunch came from. But she knew he wasn’t your normal human being. She dealt with far too many humans not to distinguish the difference.

  Layt snorted. “Just when I had my hopes up for another trial. Too bad. The whole Idirian circle will be quite dispirited by the news. Just when we thought things would be shaken up.” He sighed. “Too bad,” he repeated, a mournful look on his face.

  “The trials?” Weylin asked, looking at her.

  Talia hesitated. But deciding it would hurt to share this particular information with him—it wasn’t like he would be interested in the trials—she said, “a set of trials to test the strength and resolve of souls before the scales’ judgment. Though, I rarely turn to them lately.”

  “A shame, really,” Layt cut in despite the seething scowl directed at him. “All Idirians were looking forward to some entertainment. Things had been quite repetitive lately.”

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  You mean ever.

  Weylin’s bow twitched. “Does it have that much popularity?”

  Layt nodded. “Everyone and their neighbor come to the grand square. Front seats would be already taken days before its start.”

  Weylin paused, a dangerous glint in his eyes. “Everyone?” he whispered. He turned to Talia. “If I apply for a second chance, will I have to pass the trials?”

  She shook her head. “No. It’s not something required.” It was. She had herself made it a rule for the soul’s passing. But as she was its creator, she could find a way around it. She often did. But from the expression on Weylin’s face, it wasn’t the answer he had expected.

  “You…” She paused. “You want to pass the trials?”

  He nodded. “I do.”

  Talia regarded him, Adyl’s words echoing inside her mind.

  Something he was searching for.

  But what would he want from the trials? Moments ago, he didn’t know a thing about their existence—She doubted he knew what he was signing up for, the fool—Why was he so interested in them now?

  She stilled. The other Idirians… was that what he was looking for? Was another Idirian the reason for his stay in her domain? Was he looking for a specific person?

  Then she remembered his words. A deity—a fake deity—had laid claim over their world, right under Talia’s nose.

  No. Preposterous. Why would he be looking for the pretend god? It wasn’t like he could do anything against him. Not in his soul form. The foolish man’s soul would be obliterated before he could lay a finger on an Ididrina.

  Not that she would let an Idirian injure his soul. As per her duty. It wasn’t like she was interested in him or anything. The others were wrong. Horribly wrong. He was just a way for her to escape her mundane life. A life she wouldn’t have willingly chosen if not as a favor to Adyl.

  But try as she might, she couldn’t come up with another reason as to why he would want to pass her trials.

  “Are you certain?” she asked, hoping he would change his mind and give her a different answer. It wasn’t that she was doubting his abilities… or maybe she was. After all, she knew next to nothing about him.

  Say no. Say no,

  “I am.” He fixed her with his sky-blue orbs. “I will only apply for your second chance if you allow me to pass the trials. If not…” He shrugged.

  Layt burst into laughter. Talia glared at him. This was all his fault. If only she had chased him away earlier and didn’t let him poison Weylin’s mind.

  “I guess we have the trials this year.” He grinned. “Oh, I can’t wait for the bidding to start.”

  “Bids are illegal,” Talia said in a monotone voice.

  Everyone knew it was illegal. But also, everyone knew that wouldn’t stop the bidding frenzy once the event started.

  She sighed. “Alright,” she told Weylin. “I hope you won’t regret your decision.”

  “I won’t.” His voice was so determined and resolute that she couldn’t help but believe him.