"But how will I be able to enter the recruitment process if they only accept females with spiritual abilities? I fear I must remind you I am a mere human," I add sarcastically.

Now it's his turn to roll his eyes. He nods to my bracelet.

"That is where the pearl comes into the equation. The first test will measure your spiritual abilities. I have filled the pearl with my energy, so it should allow you to pass that test."

"Of course you wouldn't give me a gift out of the kindness of your heart," I mumble under my breath as I rotate my wrist, watching the purple of the pearl change hues depending on the light.

He doesn't acknowledge my words as he continues. "Passing the first test will gain you an invite inside the temple to participate in the second test. You will not, however, undertake it. You will sneak into the altar room and temporarily disable the runes keeping males out of the temple. I will then come inside, interrogate the high priestess, and get the location of the vial from her. If we are lucky, the artifact will be within the temple's premises."

I stare at him.

"It is all very simple." He nods, satisfied.

"Uhm, human here?" I say as I put my hand up. "I don't know how to recognize those runes you speak of, let alone disable them."

"You will have my voice guiding you." He smiles.

"You planned this all, didn't you?"

Everything makes sense now. He's been staging this from the very beginning, hasn't he? I don't know why, but an aching hole forms in my gut as I realize that he's been orchestrating all of our interactions to reach this point.

"Of course," he readily admits. "I have accounted for every probability. You are the best option. The king has undoubtedly told the temple to increase their security. They are expecting me, but they do not know how I will be able to get inside. And since I am not known to have any female friends—least of all one who would possess spiritual powers worthy of the temple—they will not suspect that a female will infiltrate the temple on my behalf."

"What if I get caught?"

"You will not," he assures me.

"But what if I do get caught? You said it yourself. They will expect you, so they will likely increase security. What will happen to me if they realize I'm human?"

"You will not get caught. If anything happens, I will get you out."

"But how? If you can't come inside, doesn't that mean I'm screwed?"

"You don't need to worry about that." He waves his hand. "There are two approaches to everything, Luce—with force and without." He pins me with his gaze. "I will raze the temple to the ground if need be," he adds casually.

My lashes flutter in surprise.