As the crowds mutter in disbelief, Niko’s head spins at the implications. If the queen can take and give ancestral talents so easily, no tribe will be able to stand against the Yerezi people. Umadiland will burn like chaff. He relaxes into a nonthreatening posture. “AmaSibere,” he says in a gentle but firm voice, “the Circle has commanded you to drink from the Chalice. Please step down and comply.” Please don’t make me drag you down.
