Powerless (The Powerless Trilogy, #1)

by Lauren Roberts

THE SIXTH PURGING TRIALS IS ABOUT TO BEGIN REMEMBER THE PURGING. THANK THE PLAGUE. HONOR TO YOUR KINGDOM, YOUR FAMILY, AND YOURSELF. YOU COULD BE THE NEXT VICTORIOUS ELITE. I snort loudly, nearly choking on a chunk of my apple. Although the Purging Trials are nothing to laugh about, I can’t help but find it comical that they are meant to be a celebration. In honor of the Great Purging over three decades ago, the Trials were created to showcase the people’s supernatural abilities and bring honor to the only Elite kingdom. I wouldn’t say murdering innocent people brings honor to me, my kingdom, or my family—not that I have any left to bring honor to. And yet, every five years, young Elites are chosen to compete in these games for both the glory and enough shillings to build your own comfy castle while you try to escape the trauma the Trials caused you. But the part that has me shaking with both laughter and rage is that the lesser Elites, those with Defensive and Mundane abilities, are made to believe that they have a chance of winning these twisted Trials. I feel suddenly numb as I look at the excited faces surrounding me, all crowding under the sign, grinning and pointing. We are the first to die. The Elites who compete aren’t chosen, but rather, born into their fate. It’s always those of royal blood or of higher status on the Elites’ tier of power. I scan the crowd, eyes skipping over the smiling faces of Mundanes who are only thrown into the Trials for entertainment afte...