The Testing by Jonathan Moeller

demons. An Adept must be able to overcome a demon. And you have done this.”
    “And you have done it amazingly well,” said Nazim. “Most Initiate only banish the demon, or destroy the ghoul it inhabits. You…destroyed it. You actually destroyed it.” He smiled. “An auspicious start to your career as an Adept.” 
    “It…that was a cruel test,” said Rachaelis. She was shaking now, whether from exhaustion or pain, she could not say. “It took the guise of my father. I thought…I thought for a moment that I might speak with him again.” 
    “That is how a demon operates,” said Arthain, voice grave. “It offers you what you desire most, so you will let it into your body. And then your body and your magical strength belong to the demon, to do with as it pleases.” 
    “But you have shown yourself able to resist these temptations,” said Talvin. “Tomorrow, you shall take your rightful place as an Adept of the Conclave.” 
    Rachaelis bowed her head, still shivering. The Magisters had wanted her to kill that gladiator. The Magisters had summoned demons to kill her, even if it was part of the Testing.
    What would they want her to do, she wondered, once she was an Adept?
    THE END
    Thank you for reading The Testing.  Turn the page to read an exclusive preview chapter from the next volume in THE THIRD SOUL series,  The Assassins  (also available in  The Third Soul Omnibus One ).
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    The morning after the Testing, Rachaelis put on the gray robe of an Initiate for the last time. The ordeal had left her exhausted, with a headache that would not go away. But her hands still did not shake, and she felt…lightheaded. Surreal. As if this were a dream, perhaps. For so long she had been certain that she would die during the Testing.
    And, yet, here she was. 
    What would become of her now?
    She left her room and went to the grounds within the inner Ring. Marvane and a deputation of black-armored Swords waited for her, along with Thalia and Magister Nazim. 
    “Well,” said Marvane, a faint smile on the old soldier’s face. “Guess you didn’t run after all.”  
    “I suppose not,” said Rachaelis. 
    “Good morning,” said Thalia, a smile on her face. “How are you feeling?” 
    “Like I spent all night hitting my head against the wall,” said Rachaelis.
    Thalia laughed. “It could be worse. I couldn’t walk for two days after my Testing.”
    Rachaelis shook her head. “I don’t understand how you can be so cheerful. I almost died, several times. I assume the same thing happened during your Testing.” 
    “We all almost died during the Testing,” said Nazim, leaning on his cane. Strands of his white hair floated in the morning breeze. “There are many things about the Conclave that are cruel, but the Testing…is a necessary cruelty, I think. An Adept who voluntarily joins with demons can wreak terrible harm. Remember Paulus.” 
    Rachaelis did. And she remembered her father, lying for twelve years in that tower, rendered neither dead nor alive by whatever spell Paulus had used. 
    “And think of how much pain would have been averted Paulus had failed his Testing,” said Nazim. “We Adepts must use our strength responsibly. At least the Testing can show whether or not an Initiate is strong enough to resist the lures of demons.” 
    “And why shouldn’t I be cheerful?” said Thalia. “You’re my friend, and you didn’t die. If that isn’t a cause to be cheerful, then nothing is. Now come! Your ceremony awaits.” 
    So Rachaelis let them lead her to the towers of the inner Ring, followed by the Swords in formal escort. In the center of the Ring stood the Great Hall, where the Council of Magisters met, and the formal ceremonies of the Conclave took place. Marvane thrust open the doors and led them inside. The arched roof rose two