Under the scrutinizing gaze of a near hundred pairs of eyes, I felt like a criminal. Not a misplaced tie or wrinkled blouse in sight, I shifted uneasily in my make-shift formal outfit. I also didn't spot a single pleased expression. Only Fera greeted me with a curt nod. With whom I assumed were the few other members of the Shahid clan, she sat on the accused, my side. I noted dismally that very few members had chosen to sit among the Shahid clan. The rows on the left side were full, not a seat left empty. I suspected that many had been forced to sit on my side.

      "That's encouraging," I muttered sarcastically.

      "It's a formality," Aadya said, the sound of her clattering heels echoing in the silent room. "It's not representative of the inclination of their vote."

      Giving me a small push forward, Aadya joined Nathaniel at the accused table, and I was left alone at the stand.

      Awkwardly taking my seat, I straightened my shirt and smiled uneasily. Nathaniel had suggested that I take deep breaths, but I had completely stopped breathing.

       I didn't dare make eye contact with anyone in the crowd. Their thoughts were dizzying, I didn't need to put a face to them.

       A few moments after I took my seat, who I presumed to be the judge, walked in, and sat in the center stand beside me. Though I hadn't seen Ubel last evening, the familiarity of the man's mind beside me left no doubt. Of course, he would be the judge.

       "Calling the case of Avalynn Morales; an unidentified child of the Legion. Is the accused ready?"

       I really wished someone would have gone over court etiquette with me. I didn't know if there was a more formal response expected, but I kept it short. I leaned into the microphone. "Yes."

      "Jury members please rise and raise your hands."

      Somewhere around 20 individuals rose; I assumed one for each clan. Aadya had explained that each clan leader could vote on behalf of their clan.

      "Do you all swear upon the Force of Zid to judge this trial fairly and make your verdict in an unbiased manner?"

      There was a chorus of "yes" and "I do", that I wanted to counter with "bullshit." Most of them had already made their decisions, overpowered with fear.

       "The accused has gone sixteen years without coming forward as a child of the Legion," Ubel started again. My jaw tightened. Without coming forward? As if I knew of my heritage and hid – I mean I probably would have hidden if I knew. "We must question why this child has not been claimed and how she has remained hidden for all these years. Will anyone come forward and claim this minor as their offspring?"

      To no surprise, no one claimed me as their child. Clans looked amongst each other, silent as they waited for someone to come forward. When moments passed and no one did, hushed whispers echoed across the room. This had suddenly become more interesting than the case of Finlay's daughter. I was an even bigger anomaly. If people hadn't already made the connection to Lahila, I was sure the puzzle pieces were beginning to click.

      Ubel's expression was stealthy neutral, but he was pleased.

      "The defendant may approach the stand before we vote on the accused's punishment."

       They sure didn't beat around the bush. Why would I be punished for my parent not coming forward? Lahila forgotten, if my birth mother was in the crowd, ought they not pursue genetic testing to place the blame on them?

       Aadya approached me. "Raise you right hand," she instructed. "Do you swear upon the Force of Zid, to speak only the truth and nothing but the truth on this stand?"

      "I do."

      "Please tell the Legion your name."

       "Avalynn Morales."

       Aadya nodded in encouragement. "Avalynn, please tell the Legion about your family."

       I hesitated and searched grey eyes for specific answers. Nothing. I expected her to be more direct with her questions, preventing me from saying too much or too little.

      "I was raised by my father Mateo and mother Sophia. My dad met my mother when I was two years old, and she adopted me a year later. They have two other children together; my younger brothers."

       "Her brothers have been evaluated and are not children of the Legion. Neither Mateo nor Sophia have biological relations to the Legion," she addressed the crowd before turning back my way. "What do you know about your birth mother?"

       I willed myself not to react. She had preached about the dangers of lying, I had just made a vow to tell the truth, but I supposed my situation left for no other choice. I could leave some things out.

       "Practically nothing," I answered honestly. "My father told me her name was Tiffany and that she abandoned me at a week old. I have never even seen a photograph of her."

       The faint smile on Aadya's lip marked my satisfactory answer. "Did you know anything about the Legion prior to meeting Nathaniel?"

      "No," I huffed. "I actually sought medical attention, thinking that I had hallucinated my encounter with Nathaniel."

      A few chuckles surprised me. Aadya oozed satisfaction and my confidence grew a little. She spun on her feet and glanced at her colleagues. "This child has done nothing to offend the Legion. She is the victim of her birth mother's action. This is not a matter of evading responsibility, but a matter of lacking the knowledge and opportunity to come forward."

      "The law—" Before Ubel could finish voicing his protests, Aadya went on.

      "I know our laws. I know that a child of the Legion must be claimed, but Avalynn has proved that she is innocent, and thus she deserves a chance to prove her worthiness... If her mother doesn't come forward, it is her right to get the opportunity of being accepted by another clan."

      Though grudgingly, Ubel could not refute. Their laws clearly declared my right to be claimed by another clan.

      "Though not biologically claimed, does any clan wish to take responsibility for this child?"

      Crickets. Not a single peep. This was humiliating. I could tell that some people felt bad. I felt the pity across the room, but fear surpassed every single emotion they felt.

      Aadya looked at Fera, still clinging to hope that her friend would pull through. As I knew she would, Fera shook her head sadly. She couldn't warrant taking the risk.

      Humor radiated from Ubel and my insides burned. He regarded Aadya and I with a patronizing smile. "It seems no clan is willing to take the risk. Shall we start the vote for the cell—"

      "I will take responsibility for the child," Aadya interrupted him.

      My mouth fell open. Why did they make it seem like that wasn't an option? All this stress and she had the power to fix it?

       The Legion members were even more surprised than I was. There was a chorus of loud gasps and shocked mumbling. Nathaniel threw his papers on the table, and though I couldn't hear him over the uproar, he appeared to be cursing under his breath. To say he was mad, would be a great understatement, and to say I was confused was an even greater understatement.

       Even Ubel was surprised, but mostly unhappy. It seemed that the Burkhards taking me in, was the last thing anyone expected.

       "Do you understand the risks that come with accepting her as a member of your clan?" Ubel clarified.

      "What risks?" I demanded, leaning over the stand to try to get Aadya's attention.

      She waved me off, tilting her chin up as she looked at Ubel. "I understand the risks. I swear on my life and the Force of Zid. I vouch for her loyalty and the safety of the Legion. I will take responsibility for her actions."

       I understood then and the realization made me shrink in my seat. While I appreciated the gesture, it seemed that now, when things went wrong, Aadya would be dragged along with me. She swore on her life and the Legion would take that literally. Why would she take a risk like that? Suddenly Nathaniel's anger made sense.

      "It has been decided," Ubel quieted the court room. "You stated that she deserved a chance to prove her worthiness. We shall grant her that opportunity and she will be treated as a true Burkhard. We will meet again in a week to discuss the lengths of this test."

      The muscles in Aadya's jaw twitched, but she nodded.

      "Court is adjourned."

      Still in shock, I watched mindlessly as Aadya followed Benson and Ubel into the side room where she said that she had paperwork to complete. I didn't move until Nathaniel waved at me and nudged his head in gesture for me to follow him. I waited with each step towards the parking lot, for him to lash out, but it seemed he was going to wait until we were out of hearing.