The first thing I see when I wake, is an enormous set of intense hazel eyes, staring into my own blue ones. It takes me a moment to distinguish what they are...the eyes, but once I do, I freeze. I try to scream-I open my mouth and everything, but nothing comes out. A fresh wave of terror floods through me like a tidal wave, making me feel almost nauseous.
As quick as the hazel eyes were there, they disappear, and I hear people shouting above me. I am flat on my back, lying on a cold marble floor. And I am alone. Truly alone.
I sit up, drawing my knees to my chest and wrapping my arms around my legs tightly. For the millionth time, I replay the events of the past few days in my mind. I shot fire. Out of my hands. I blew up a jail cart. I was arrested and confined. And now I'm here. I am in the centre of a lavishly decorated room. The room itself is a shimmery gold colour, and the ceiling is painted with angels. Getting to my feet, I stumble to the nearest wall, and brush my fingers across it. I have never seen something so blatantly rich in my life. A  red, velvet, majestic looking chair sits at the head of the room, and I can't help but think I'm in a throne room.

The throne room of God himself maybe.

All of a sudden, the two oak doors behind me swing open, and I turn on my heel, tensing up. If I have to fight my way out of this joint I will. Or I'll die trying.

But when I see who it is, my fists fall harmlessly to my sides, and my jaw drops wide open (not a pretty sight let me say). Because the person who strides confidently through those rich oak doors is not some angry Guard. It is not some cold woman coming to drag me away.

It is the Empress herself.

Empress Alura is the epitome of grace. Tall and majestic with rich brown hair and olive green eyes, she is clearly Ruler material. She is a good Ruler, I suppose. Besides the occasional public appearance we are mandated to attend, I have never seen her anywhere besides the small hologram television we have in our homes. But now she is here. Standing directly in front of me, quietly surveying me.

Taking small, stumbling steps back, I stutter,

"You....you're her! You're the Empress!"

Empress Alura laughs, not a harsh laugh, but a softer, gentle chuckle. At least she didn't take my surprise as a sign of disrespect.

"That would be me yes. And you are....Elixir correct? Do you have a surname?" She asks me, staring directly at me.

I can't meet her gaze, so I stare at the floor intently, trying to stem the blush slowly creeping up my cheeks.

"I never knew my father ma'm. He left my mother before my birth. I have no last name to carry." I whisper, my face burning with shame. Not only is it bad enough to be an Unmentionable, but to be an illegitimate child  is practically a crime in itself. I have always been the girl that parents warn their children to stay away from, the girl people don't look at while walking down the street. Although it makes no sense to me....I have done nothing wrong, yet I am being punished for my parents mistakes.

"Ah yes. Simply Elixir then." The Empress responds, trying to retain some dignity in this conversation.

I am grateful to her for putting this choice bit of information aside.

"Now, I imagine you do not know why you are here?" Empress Alura speaks softly, calmly. I shake my head no, still looking at my bare feet.

"Were you aware of your Gift?" She asks me.

For the first time in our conversation, I go to meet her eyes. She seems sincere enough-she seems like she actually cares.

Drawing in a deep breath, I respond.

"No I didn't Your Majesty. I was as shocked as everyone else when the fire came out of my hands. I don't even know if I can do it again." I say, looking her dead in the eyes. She nods, looking thoughtful.

"Well, there is no doubt that you do have a Gift Elixir....a powerful one. You said you were a Unmentionable?" She muses, partially to herself.

I nod my head yes.

Empress Alura furrows her brow for a moment, before brushing past me, and sitting down on a plush chair in the corner of the room. She gestures for me to come over and sit with her. I walk over slowly, desperately trying not to trip, and sink into a second chair directly across from her.

The Empress leans forward on her elbows, a mischievous sparkle in her eyes.

"You are a special one Elixir. Easily the most powerful Unmentionable I have ever met! Now, I brought you here partially because I was curious about you, but for another reason too. I imagine you know what the Trials are?"

The Trials? What do the Trials have to do with anything?

You see, every 25 years, the Elites hold a contest to see who will take over the throne from the previous Emperor. 10 teenagers, between the ages of 15 and 20, are selected from the three classes to compete in this contest, named the Trials. Only the strongest ones from each class-the ones with the most powerful Gifts are selected. They battle it out, and the last one standing becomes the next Emperor. And so on and so on. The Trials have been going on for over 500 years....since the Old Society fell, and Adepto a Vita came to be.

But why is Empress Alura bringing this up?

"Well you see," She says, reading the question in my eyes, "the law states that the Trials must have 10 contestants-4 Elites, 4 Midlings, and 2 Unmentionables. Only the ones with the strongest Gifts are selected. And you my dear, are one of the most powerful people that I have ever met, never less the most powerful Unmentionable in this society. By law, you have to compete in the Trials."

What?

WHAT?

"I'm sorry....I can't!" I stammer, standing up and stepping back, tripping over a sofa cushion. As I scramble to my feet, still stammering excuses, Empress Alura rises, placing both hands on my shoulders.

"You must."

I stop struggling, and I can feel a lump in my throat starting to form.

"I don't know how to use my powers, much less compete!" I choke out, hopelessness swelling in my chest-making it constrict.

"You will learn," She says gently, giving me a reassuring smile.

I want to cry. I want to scream. I want to beg her not to make me do this to me. I don't want to compete in these stupid Trials. I just want to be normal again.

But I don't do any of these things. Instead, I let Empress Alura lead me out of the throne room and into a hallway. I let servants usher me away and take me to a different room. I let them tuck me into bed, and turn out the lights. And throughout this, all I feel is numbness. I am completely numb.