Irina’s POV
The entire room went silent.
Julie’s breath hitched, her body stiffening like a statue. Her eyes darted to the glowing lines of the truth-binding circle etched into the floor, the faint shimmer of magic still humming around me like a pulse. She knew exactly what would happen if she stepped in — and that was why she wouldn’t dare.
“W–What are you suggesting?” she stammered, her voice trembling despite the tremor of indignation she tried to fake. “That I have to prove myself to you?”
“Yes,” I said simply, folding my arms. “If everything you’ve said is true, if you’re as innocent as you claim… then the spell will protect you. Isn’t that right, Elder Harden?”
All eyes turned to the Elder. His face was a mask of stone, but there was a flicker in his eyes that told me he was as
