The Stars Said Hello [1]

C H A P T E R - 2 4

The hearing was in Eternalia, in Tribunal Hall. A blue banner flew from the dome, just like it had the first time Fitz took Sophie there. But this time it was for her.

Sophie sat next to Alden on a raised platform facing the twelve empty thrones of the Councillors. Behind her sat Grady and Edaline, Dex, Sir Astin, Dame Alina, and Elwin—everyone remotely involved with the Quintessence incident. The rest of the enormous room was empty. The proceedings had been closed to the public, a rare procedure for a tribunal. But Alden explained that anything involving Quintessence had to be kept top secret.

Meredith was standing and seemed to be waiting anxiously for the Councillors. She had once or twice gave a worried look towards Sophie who was not liking the anxious way that Meredith kept on tapping her foot.

Each throne had a name carved across the top. Oralie's had velvet cushions and a heart-shaped back covered in pink tourmaline. Kenric's was sturdy and simple, made of polished wood encrusted with large pieces of amber. Bronte's was plain silver dotted with onyx. The rest were names she'd never heard: Clarette, Velia, Terik, Liora, Emery, Ramira, Darek, Noland, Zarina. Their names alone were intimidating. She tugged out an eyelash and flicked it away.

A mere two hours had passed since the moment Sophie showed Sir Astin the glowing bottle, but it felt like everything had changed. Foxfire was evacuated—a first in its three-thousand-year history. A special task force moved the Quintessence to an undisclosed location. Now she sat in the capital city—on trial for violating a major law. Bronte was probably salivating over the chance to convict her.

Sophie sat up straighter as a dozen goblins marched into the room and stationed themselves in front of the thrones. She remembered them from Lumenaria, but she'd forgotten how huge they were.

"Bodyguards for the Councillors," Alden explained.

Her eyes focused on the strange swordlike weapons slung through their belts, and she couldn't help wondering what the Councillors needed protection from. Alden was always saying how safe their world was.

A loud fanfare blasted through the room, and everyone rose as the Councillors appeared in front of their thrones. Dripping in jewels, draped in gleaming silver capes, and crowned with circlets, they made human royalty look like amateurs. Sophie's lunch churned in her stomach.

"Please be seated," announced a Councillor with shoulder-length black hair and eyes that matched the sapphires in his crown. His throne said Emery across the top. "Thank you for coming on such short notice. We shall begin with you, Miss Foster."

She stood and gave the world's most ungraceful curtsy. Oralie moved to Sophie's side, placing one hand on her shoulder and holding her hand with the other.

"Answer my questions honestly and there will be no problems," Emery warned.

Sophie nodded, the fear so consuming she wondered if she would be sick. She kept her eyes away from Bronte, knowing if she caught his cold gaze, she might lose it.

"Where did you learn of the existence and location of Elementine?"

"I don't know." Her voice trembled.

Emery glanced at Oralie. She nodded.

"What made you look for it?"

"My Universe homework."

Sir Astin coughed behind her, like he was unhappy with her answer.

"What was it about your homework that made you think of it?" Emery asked.

"Honestly? It just sounded right."

Oralie nodded again and Sophie finally understood. Oralie was reading her emotions—a living, breathing lie detector.