The Culling Trials (Shadowspell Academy #2)(15)

“The trials are supposed to sort people into houses, and the big prizes are intended for the best of each house,” Wally said, “No one is good at all five houses. Except for the Shadowkiller, but he doesn’t count. He was an anomaly. Basically, by trying to win a prize in the houses you’re weak in, Ethan, you’re stealing while also confusing the selection process. You don’t want to be put in the same category as the Shadowkiller.”

“Bull,” Ethan said, winding ever closer to the glowing spot on the map. “I’ll be in the House of Wonder. Everyone in my family history has been in that house. We only marry within the house to keep the magical lines pure. I use a wand, for Christ’s sake. Finding the gold is just a boon, and why should it only go to someone from a specific house? How is that fair? It should be fair game for everyone.”

“It is,” Wally replied. “We work in groups so we can pool the strength of all the houses. We would not have done this well in this challenge without Gregory’s help.”

Ethan huffed, and I had the feeling he was rolling his eyes. “How many intact groups made it to the top of that tower?”

“One,” Orin said. “And it is rather miraculous that we should have done so. The strategy of working in diversified groups has largely failed across magical society. Of course, that is why the trials are set up this way, to encourage groupings like ours.”

“See?” Wally put her finger in the air in triumph. “Our success is what makes this setup fair.”

“Except we’re currently being led by a cheater because we don’t know which way to go,” I reminded them. “We’re all cheating at this point. Which should probably make me feel bad.”

Uncomfortably, it didn’t. I didn’t want to lose any more than Ethan did.

“I know the way,” Gregory said quietly.

“What’s that?” I asked, half turning back to look.

“We’re getting closer. It’s another gemstone. Sapphire, I think. I can feel it. I’d be able to find it. The proverbial needle in the haystack. That’s the game here.”

“There you go. See?” Ethan walked three-fourths of the way around a haystack before cutting between two others. “Not cheating. We could be using the goblin’s cursed talents to win.”

“Talking about morals with someone that has none is a journey of dead ends,” Wally said and then sighed.

“Here.” Ethan stopped in front of a haystack like any other. The 3D person projected above the paper stood next to the glowing treasure spot.

“No.” I pointed to the haystack to his right. “There. Your figure on the map is next to it, not in front of it.”

Gregory didn’t wait for Ethan to figure it out. He circled the haystack, his focus totally engaged on the task at hand, and then stopped to face the pile. He ran his hand down the angled sides, barely touching the hay. A few seconds later, about halfway down the pile, he slowly pushed his fingers through the hay. His eyes were half closed, his head angled—he was feeling for the sapphire with his magic.

Ethan folded up the paper and tucked it back into his pocket.

“No, no.” I pointed at it. “We need that to get back out of here.”

He rolled his eyes but didn’t comment. Clearly, I was incorrect.

Gregory leaned farther in, up to his elbow. Further still, nearly to his shoulder now. He closed his eyes fully and drew in deep breaths.

“No wonder the goblins have all the money,” Wally said softly. “They can just wander around and collect it like in a video game.”

“Precious gemstones don’t just lie around in the world in perfect, ready-to-sell pieces,” Orin said. “They are usually stripes in lesser rocks. They must be dug out, broken apart, harvested. Gold, as well, is not just found—there is more work to it.”

Wally shrugged. “Same difference.”

A muscle in Gregory’s arm jumped, and he pulled back, faster now. Hand out of the haystack, he opened it. A perfect square sapphire, the same size and shape as both the ruby and Ethan’s gold square.

“It’s very pretty,” I gushed as it caught the light. Ethan gave me a funny look.

Crap. Guys clearly didn’t gush about gems. Or if they did, not in that way.

I had opened my mouth to fix the situation when the scene around us shivered, melting away. Haystacks wobbled, then spun through the air, sending straw whipping around us, like we were at the heart of a tornado.

I reached out and gripped Wally to steady myself, my stomach flipping with dizziness. Before I could adjust, smoke rose from below our feet and the spinning scene faded. The illusion dimmed. Darkness rushed in, muting our surroundings until a new scene presented itself.

Two or three torches were attached to each of the dark gray walls around us, which shimmered and danced as though wet. The room was triangular. In front of us, behind a heavy metal gate, sat a robust chest decked out in precious gems, overflowing with gold coins that sparkled in the glow of the room. This haul was definitely bigger than the last one—enough riches to buy my entire family a whole new life. Several lives maybe.

Staring at all that wealth, I let a breath slowly tumble out of my mouth. They were just giving it away. All these trials—this whole organization—clearly had more money than they knew what to do with.