"There is nothing new you could ask me that you didn't over half a year ago when this first happened," Liri's voice rang across the sunny town square.

     "The truth would be a good place to start, young one," Judge Hargrove said. The three Elders surrounding him bobbed their heads in agreement.

     "My answers haven't altered, except if I knew who might have murdered my parents."

     "And do you?" The roundest of the Elders asked.

     "I believe that Jacob Sterling is behind it, Judge Florentine."

     "That's a heavy allegation, especially against such a man who was once an esteemed member of the council."

     Lifting her chin, she stated, "He was a murderer that got away with unethical practices because it benefited more people than it harmed. And to make sure he didn't have to face a more severe punishment than the loss of his seat on the high council, he ran and hid on his moon like the coward he is."

     A woman in the gathered crowd yelled, "He eradicated several deadly diseases with his methods."

     "You wouldn't be so cold about it if it had been your family that was ripped apart by his moral code," a man hollered, pointing his finger at her.

     The crowd's shocked cries filled the air in a mass of noise.

     "Do you have proof?"

     "You have studied what I have brought forward. What more is there to discuss?"

     "The dates indicate he was there a month ago. He's been dead longer than that, so you have more threads to pull at than answers."

     "The letter's my father wrote to Bazentine Werks prove that he tried to stop this and fix it. The video of Sterling proves that someone didn't want him to shut it down. There are Trillions in funding that my father cut, and someone didn't want it to end. I had no motive to kill my parents, other's did."

     "We have video. Do you want us to play it for the crowd to witness your evil deed?"

     "It's not me."

     "Then, it must not be Sterling in the video you brought us either."

     Taking several deep breaths, she admitted, "Fair enough."

     "Do you have some other evidence that proves your innocence?"

     Liri's gaze drifted across the crowd and landed on Ardon's hazel eyes. She calmly stated, "I demand the Rite of Lustral."

     A collective gasp from the onlookers was followed by buzzing and humming from their burst of chatter.

     "The last time this was done, the Lustral candidate drowned."

     A woman said, "That's because he wasn't pure of the accusations against him."

     "I don't need to see another death. I'm out of here." A tall man turned on his heel and walked away.

     "No, Liri, don't do this," Ardon yelled. He took two steps forward before the twins seized his arms, stopping him. 

     "The Rite hasn't been done in ages, Lady Delaney," Judge Hargrove finally said.

     Standing tall, she spoke, "I know the risks I face, but I am innocent."

     "You are positive you wish to proceed?" The thinnest of the Elders asked.

     She nodded. "I am."

     The four elders glanced between one another. Judge Hargrove spoke, "So be it."

     The men gathered her—two on each side—and led her down the path along the beach. The crowd followed behind Ardon and the others, keeping the required distance away from the Elders for this ritual.

     With each step to the tide pools, a fear that it would end her for not taking over DPL earlier, chipped away at her confidence. 

     "For a woman who may never see this with those eyes again, I find it odd that she would stare at the ground," Hargrove said.

     She lifted her gaze.

     In the distance, the soon-to-be homeworld for the Shifters hung in the horizon's reds and mauve hues. It's presence reminding her that she has things to do, and this will only take a few minutes.

     The gathering arrived at the shimmering, cloudy pools. Streaks of bright white ribbons played across its surface. 

     "You are allowed to make your plea after you step onto the center stone," Judge Hargrove said. 

     She moved across the stones that hung above the pools and made it to the middle. Looking across the gathered crowd, she spoke confidently, "My name is Lady Liriandra Delaney. I did not kill my parents and am here to remove the stain from my name. I am guilty of one thing, not taking over the family responsibilities when my aging parents begged me to. I ask to be tested and prove to those gathered here, and for all time that I am guiltless of their deaths."

     The shimmering fluid rose, slowly enveloping her in its chilly embrace. Once passed her head, flashes of light zipped around the edges of the liquid mass, encapsulating her.

     Looking around, she wondered what more she was supposed to do. She pressed a hand against the clear shell containing her, and panic started clawing into her mind. She willed the test to start or finish or do whatever it was supposed to before she passed out from asphyxia.

     "Let go," a whispery voice sounded in her head.

     She jerked back, startled by the instructions. Sure she was going to pass out; she banged her hands against the enclosure.

     On the far side of her prison, she could see Jensen holding Pasley upright as her watery eyes grew larger by the second. Natasha swayed gently back and forth with Nalla in her hands and Bonica at her side, both on the verge of tears. And of course Ardon with the twins keeping him in check once again.

     The same whispery voice stated, "Just breathe."

     Darkness began blotting Liri's vision, and she shook her head. Pounding harder, she mentally begged the substance to release her. Everything faded away, and she felt herself breathe in.

     Liri's eyes snapped open. She felt energy coursing through her veins and more alive than she had since the night with Ardon on the Calypso. Breathing fine, she went to place her hand on the edge of the enclosure. Her fingers passed through, then her arm, and then she was standing on the other side of the liquid.

     "Liri!" Ardon bellowed. The twins released him, and he flew to her. Wrapping her dripping form in his arms, then wings, he glared at the doubters in the crowd.

     She trembled and leaned against him for support.

     Hargrove spoke, "You have been purified, young one. May you live the rest of your days in love and peace."

     "Thank you," Liri breathed out slowly. "But I am not finished yet."

     Hargrove froze in place and asked, "What more could you have to say?" 

     Liri pulled away from Ardon. "I have to finish this."

     He nodded.

     She walked to Natasha and gently took the bundle from her arms. Walking around the edge of the crowd, she showed Nalla's bright-blue face to everyone. "As the head of House Delaney, I claim Nalla, as my daughter."

     Judge Hargrove asked, "She has your blood in her?"

     "And I hers."

     "Very well, all see Nalla of House Delaney."

     "Hello, Nalla." The crowd greeted in unison.

     "Is that all?"

     "No. I've started preparations on the biggest moon I own for the Shifters to inhabit. Will that be acceptable to the council?"

     The four men glanced around before nodding. 

     The fat judge stepped forward, and a smile grew across his face. "Very well, Lady Delaney. To clean a mess that belongs to another shows a heart of great purity. Your parents would be proud of the woman you have become."

     "Thank you. That being said, there are several ships on the outskirts of our system filled with more Shifters that will need to pass through the Net."

     "We will collect them for you ourselves."

     "Thank you."

     With that, the crowd walked away and chatter over the events they just witnessed floated through the air.

     As Liri turned, Ardon grabbed her face and kissed her. "You can't do that to me ever again."

     "Careful, Mr. Rowe, I might start to think you love me, like me."

     He smiled and kissed her again before the rest of the Mate's rushed over and laid their hands on both of them in approval.