Free Shadow Touched (Shadow Roamer #1) by Lilou Roux

case, arena seemed more appropriate. From the half moon that was her stage, row after row of filled seats rose all around her, making her feel like a bug under a microscope. All that was missing as far as she was concerned was some sand and blood and the games could begin. One look at the council, seated on a sort of private balcony above the others and beside the King, and she was sure blood would flow tonight. Probably hers.
    She had never met the Council before, but just from what Nero had told her, she was able to recognize each and every one of them. On the far right was Council member Ash, he was the oldest of them all and it showed in his eyes which were by far the softest and relaxed of them all. Beside him sat Chaaya; her hair the color of midnight, seemed to absorb the light around it, so did her eyes. Though was the word Nero had used to describe her and it fit; she hadn’t gotten her seat on the Council being all smiles and laughs, that was for sure. Further down the row was Muraco. He was easy to spot thanks to his long, dark hair cascading down onto his shoulders, but the rest of him wasn’t. His face was so guarded it was impossible to tell his thoughts. Dawn, another woman in the mix, was elfin grace personified and feminine softness in its purest form. She looked as if she couldn’t even hurt a fly and Stella wondered how she had come to be on the Council and thought it would be best not to underestimate her. Argento sat beside her and just looking at him Stella had shivers running down her spine. With hard eyes the color of gray, the lightest shade she had ever seen on a roamer, he appeared to be as cold as the metal he was named after. The last woman on the Council was Sera; she was the oldest among the females and looked about forty with intelligent eyes and hair that shimmered indigo. Just seeing the laugh lines around her eyes and mouth, calmed Stella’s thundering heart. However, that doesn’t long. Her pulse was back in unhealthy territory, the moment Stella’s eyes fell onto the last Council member.
    Fosco . The King’s uncle and fiercest opposition. Smirking inside, she took pleasure in the fact that he was rather short for a roamer, although she guessed he made up for it with his barrel of a chest and his eyes. There was something in his eyes beside a calculating sharpness that made her want to shake herself as if ridding herself of a bad dream.
    Oh yeah, he didn’t like her alright. It was as plain as day. As was the fact that he would get a sick kick out of seeing her fall tonight.
    “Good evening, shadow touched Stella,” it was Ash the eldest who rose from his seat to greet her. His voice was calm and filled with patience, and went a long way in soothing her nerves.
    “Good evening, sir.”
    “Am I right in assuming that you know why you’re here before us tonight?”
    Stella gave a sharp nod, “To be tested.”
    “Since it has come to our attention that you have been out on the streets and trained as our patrollers are, we have decided to test your abilities as such. Being a patroller is an honor, a position that demands our respect for the dangers that come with it. Patrollers do not only police the twilight our, securing the races, but also protect us. It is position of honor that demands control.”
    “I understand.”
    “Well then, let’s test yours, shall we?”
    Her eyes went to her team. Scuro, Nebbia, Trevas and Ombra were seated to the side, their eyes and faces filled with support. And there was Nero. He stood to the side, probably not able to sit while she was fighting for her life, for her right to be considered as one of them. His eyes were hard, filled with anger against the Council, and yet soft and filled with love that gave her wings. Taking a deep breath before forcing it slowly back out of her lungs, Stella nodded. She was ready.
    The light dimmed and a thick wall of glass descended from the ceiling all around her half-moon stage, protecting her audience and