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HOUSE OF LIGHT AND ETHER

GILDED CITY BOOK THREE LEIA STONE

CONTENTS

Chapter1

Chapter2

Chapter3

Chapter4

Chapter5

Chapter6

Chapter7

Chapter8

Chapter9

Chapter10

Chapter11

Chapter12

Chapter13

Chapter14

Chapter15

Chapter16

Chapter17

Chapter18

Chapter19

Chapter20

Epilogue

AbouttheAuthor Acknowledgments

To anyone who has ever suffered from depression or hopelessness. May the Light reach you and lead you out of the darkness

ONE

IawokeindarknessfromanightmarewhereIwasswimminginapoolofbloodastheQuorumlaughedfromabove,tellingme mysoulwouldendupintheBottomlessPit.

MyhearthammeredagainstmychestasIsatupandpeeredaroundtogetmybearings.Silvershaftsofmoonlightsplintered throughtheopeningofacaveofsorts,andmybreathingslowed Ipeeredouttheentrance,atthesilhouetteofYanricperched atopRanger thehorseQueenSolanahadgivenme justoutside.Asmallsnoringsoundcamefrombesideme,andIcraned myneckatthesleepingformnexttome

MasterClarke.

My father

ThememoryofeverythingcamerushingbacktomethenandIranshakyfingersthroughmyhair.Ihadgonedark,litBlair’s haironfire,andthenalmostburneddowntheforest.ThenMasterClarkehadtouchedmyskinuntilIpassedout.Whywashe stillhere?Ishouldleave Ishouldgetonmyhorseandjustleavehim Hedidn’tneedtostaywithmewhileIwentinsane

‘Nightmare?’ Yanricasked.

Ipeeredatmybirdandnodded MyskinstillburnedalittlefromMasterClarkeholdingmeforsolong Iwouldkillfora coolbathrightaboutnow.

‘We should leave him He’ll only get hurt,’ ItoldYan

IwasmadatMasterClarkefornottellingmethathewasmyrealfather,butIdidn’twanthimtogetinjured.“Real father” feltwrongtothink.Therewasnorealer father thantheonewhoraisedme,butIdidn’thaveawordfor whatMaster Clarke was Extradad?AbsentfatherwholeftmewailingintothenightatthegatesofIsariah?

MythoughtswenttoAriyon,Eden,myfather…butIpushedthemaside.Thinkingofthepastwasn’tgoingtohelpanything. Theyweresafeandthat’sallthatmattered Ididn’thavetheemotionalcapacitytocareaboutthemanymore Ihadtofigureout whatYanandIweregoingtodo.

‘Where do we go?’ Yanricasked,shakinghimselfalittleasiftowakehimselfup.

Isighed.Ididn’twanttogotoMarissa.Ireallydidn’t.ButIfearedshewastheonlyonewhowouldunderstandwhatIwas goingthrough. Her letter did sayshe could help me withmypower. Evenifher intentwas to teachme how to grow it, she mightalsoknowhowtocontrolit

‘Lies,’astrangemalevoicesaidinmymind,andIwhimpered.HearingthevoicesmoreoftenmeantIwasgettingworse. MasterClarkestirredbesideme,andIfroze,notwantingtowakehim Ididn’twanttoarguewithhimorriskhurtinghimif mytemperrose.Ijustwantedtobealone.

‘We’ll go to Marissa Follow the map, ’ ItoldYanric. Henodded. ‘Maybe while we are there, we can get some intel and stop the war before it even starts Maybe that’s how you save everyone. ’

TheprophesiedNightlingwar was somethingIhadn’tthoughtalotabout ButYanricwas right IfIwentintotheir inner sanctum,maybeIcouldlearntocontrolmypowerandthengobacktotheGildedCityandtellSolanaeverythingIknewabout theircamp

‘Maybe we attack them first. Wipe them out before they ever come for us, ’ ItoldYanasImovedtoslowlystand.IfIwent darkbuttookMarissaandalloftheNightlingsdownfirst,thenitwouldbeworthit.

Ahandsnakedoutandgrippedmycloth-coveredwrist,clampingdownhard Istartled,lookingdownandfindingMaster Clarke’sdeterminedgaze.

“Givemeachancetohelpyou IfIfail,youcanrunofftotheBarrenMountainsandgodarkinacavealoneifthat’swhat youplease.”His voicewas thickandgravellywithsleep,buthis words shookme.TheBarrenMountains.Hethoughtthat’s whereIwouldgo?Peoplestilllivedthere,thoughsparsely No,IwouldnotgoanywhereIcouldbringharmtoasinglesoul

“Youcan’thelpme.You’llonlygethurt,”Itoldhim.

He released mywrist and sat up. “I’mokaywiththat, Fallon.” He held mygaze and mythroat tightened. What was he saying?

“You’reokaywithmeburningyoualiveifyoupissmeoff?”Isnapped.

Henoddedonce “Ifitmeansthereisachancetosaveyou,Iam” Tearsfilledmyeyes,butIblinkedthemback.Itwasweirdtocryyetfeelnothinginside.

Inthatmoment,hisblindloyaltyandcareformysafetyremindedmeofmyfather myrealfather,atitleI’dnevergiveto him.HewasMasterClarke,amanwhoapparentlywasseducedintolyingwithMarissaonenight,andIwasabyproductof that.

“Let’sstartfromthebeginning”Hepulledoutathick,well-wornnotebookandanothertomebesideit,oneIrecognized It wasthebookHayeshadfoundinthelibrary,theonethatspokeofsomeonefromtheHouseofAshusingmindcontrol.

“You’rehearingvoices?”heasked

Mychestfelttight,myheartracing.Whatdidhethinkhecoulddo?Readhiswayoutofmyproblem?

Yanricflew fromRanger’sbackandlandedonmyshoulder ‘He knows the risks and he’s willing to help It can’t hurt Marissa will be our last resort.’

IpeeredatClarkeagainandnoddedonce.

ClarkelookedatYanric “You?Mysteriousvoices?” Mybirdnoddedonce.

‘You hear the same ones as I do?’Iaskedhim Hewasquietamoment. ‘And more, ’ heshared. Ifrowned.MasterClarkebegantotakenotesinhisbookandthenrifledthroughsomepages.

“Itsaysherethatthefamiliaractuallytakesthebruntofthesymptomsatfirst.SoYanricwillbefeelingthemostagitated, hearingthings,havingnightmares,lossofpowercontrol.”

Ilookedatmyfamiliarwithanopenmouth ‘Yan, is that true?’

Hesimplynoddedonceagain,andIreachedupandpulledhimdowntomychest,clutchinghimagainstme.Thenormally warm,fuzzyfeelingsIhadforhimfeltliketheywerehiddenunderathickblanketofdesperation,anditwassofrustrating,I wantedtoscream.

“Ican’tchase awaythe sadness,” Itold Master Clarke, a tear fallingdownmycheek. “Ican’tstop cryingeither. Ihave nightmares.Ifeelnumbattimes,andwhenIgetangry…”Itrailedoff,andMasterClarketookmorenotes,noddingasifthisall madesense.

“Youcan’tcontrolit,”hefinishedforme Isighed,releasingYan,andheflewfrommyarmsintotheforest.

‘Going hunting,’ hesaid,butIfeltthathetoowashavingtroublefeelingnormal,feelinghappinessorlove MasterClarketappedthebooks.“Itsayshereyoucarrythemagicofyourancestors.Forexample,thepowertoswitch,like youdidwithAriyon,wasgiventoyoubyAmethystBane.”

“Iknow,”Itoldhim,unabletokeepmytonefromcomingoutsharp “Ithinkthevoicesyouheararenotpsychosis.Ithinktheyareremnantsofyourancestorsastheirmagicbuildsupinsideof you”

Relief rushed throughme at that. I mean, it didn’t make it anybetter. I was still hearingvoices those of disembodied spiritsifhewasright butitmeantIwasn’tcompletelylosingmymind “Sowhatdoesthatmean?Canwestopthem?”

Clarke chewed athis lip. “I’mnotsure aboutthatyet. Now thatIknow aboutthe true historyofthe House ofAshand Shadow,Iwondersomethings Likewhatiftheexperimentationonyourpeoplewastotwisttheirmagictobecomemoreand morepowerfulwitheachgeneration?”

Astonesankinmygut “ThenIwillbethemostpowerfulBanetoeverlive?” Henodded.“Andatthemostriskforgoingdark.”

Hiswordsonlymademefeelworse NowIjustworriedthatI’dgoevendarkerthanMarissaandlightthewholeworldon fire.

Ifoundmythoughtsgoingtosadplaces,pullingonoldwoundsinmyheartliketheloosethreadsofasweater.Itwouldn’t stopuntilthewholethingunraveledonme

“Didyouevertrytovisitme?”Iasked,onthevergeoflosingmynerve.“WhenIwasachild?”

Master Clarke stiffened beside me He sethis bookdownand nodded “Ihad to stayawaycompletelyfor the firstfive years. I was worried that Marissa herself would be looking for you. I knew there was a possibility she would become a Nightlingand be reborn. Ijustprayed itwould never happen. Ithankthe LighteverydaythatQueenSolana never used her poweroftruthoverme.”

Istayedquiet,unabletoimaginehavingachildoutintheworldandnotgoingtoseethemorevenmeetthemonce.

“Solana knew Marissa hadyoubefore she died. She was activelylookingfor a child withdarkpowers anda curse that causedherpainwhentouched.”Heshookhisheadasifhewaslostinthememory.“Butafteraboutfiveyears,thingshaddied down Solanalostinterestinhersearchforyou IthoughtthenthatyoumightnotbegettingenoughtoeatinIsariah Theyare knownforbeingapoorerpeople.Ialsoworriedyoumightbegettingbulliedormistreatedforyourcurse,soItookleaveand wenttocheckonyou”

Iheldmybreath.I was bulliedformycurse.I did gohungrysometimes.ButsomehowitwasallokaybecauseIwasalso verylovedbymyfather;mybestfriendbackhome,Sorrel;andmyoldbossatthetavern,Hipsie Isariahhadtreatedmewell enough.Ihadnocomplaintsthere.

MasterClarkegavemeasidelongglancethen.“Iwanttobefullyhonestherewithyou,Fallon.Iintendedtotakeyouthat day,toraiseyoumyselfinthemountainsaboveMoonsreach”

Igasped.Takemefrommyfather?Sorrel?Myhome?Funnilyenough,Moonsreachwaswheremyfatherhadsuggestedus runningawaytoifIeverwentdark

MasterClarkeranashakyhandthroughhishair.“Ipackedabagforthebothofus,leftwordwithSolanathatIwasgoing onleavetoseeasickcousinandplannedtonevercomebacktoTheGildedCityagain”

Icouldn’tspeak.Iwasgobsmacked.

“Whathappened?”

“WhenIsawyou,”hesaid,smilinginawaythatmadehiswholefacelightup,“youlookedjustlikeMarissa Therewas sometypeofflowerfestivalgoingon,andyou’djustbeengivenabouquetofwildflowersfromsomenicewoman.”

Inoddedatthememory,findingitwithinmetosmilealittleaswell Irememberedthatfestival Itwasoneofmyearliest memories.Iwasfive,Hipsiehadgivenmeabouquet,andIwassoexcitedtoshowmydad.

“Youwore little browngloves,andyourantoa tall man,callingout‘Daddy!’Irealizedthenthatitwas the manwho’d takenyouin.Irememberthewayhebeamedatyou,thewayhetenderlytookthebouquetfromyourlittleglovedfingersand smelledit,tellingyoutheywerethemostbeautifulflowersinalltherealm,justlikeyou.”Clarke’svoicecaught.“Itbrokemy heartandrepaireditallatonce IknewthenthatIcouldn’ttakeyoufromhim,fromthenicewomanwhogaveyoutheflowers, fromanyofit. Youwere healthyand loved and thriving. Iwould onlymake your life worse.” He turned awayfromme in shame “SoIleft,knowingyouweregettingeverythingyouneeded”

Griefwelledupinsidemeathisconfession,butitwasquicklyreplacedwithnumbness.Everythinghesaidwastrue,other thanmehavingall thatIneeded.“Iwouldhavelikedtoknow youtoo.Ineededyoutoo,”Itoldhim,andhereachedoutand squeezedmyhandhard,nodding.

“Youhavemenow,andIwillnotrestuntilIhavesavedyoufromgoingdark,Fallon.IswearitontheLight.”

I simplynodded because, while I knew he felt what he spoke was true, that didn’t make it anymore likelyto actually happen.

ONE MONTH later

“Nowcontrolit!”MasterClarkescreamed.“Likewe’vepracticed.”

SweatbeadedmybrowasragerushedthroughmesohotthatIwantedtodecimateeverytreewithinthevicinity.“Ican’t!” I bellowed, the power overtaking me, causing shadows to crawl along the forest floor and creep toward the charred mountainsidewhereIpracticedeveryday.Fireeruptedfrommypalms,andMasterClarkeleaptintomyfieldofvision.

“Youarestrongerthanthis,Fallon Thinkofitlikeafaucet,andjust turn it off!”hegrowled,andhelduponeofhisstupid books.He’dbeengettingashortertemperlately,andIheardhimwhimperinginthenightlikehewashavingnightmares.Idon’t thinkhe’deveradmitit,butIfearedthatbeingnearmewascausinghimtogodarkaswell,likeithadintheolddaysbefore Marissawentdark,backwhentheoriginalHouseofAshandShadowwascreatedandthosefaewhoweretooclosetothem wentdarkaswell.

Yanricletoutacawashetooktotheskies,thetipsofhiswingssmoking Hewaslosingcontrolofhisformmoreandmore lately.Wewereallunraveling.

TearsleakedfrommyeyesasIlookedatthebookMasterClarkewasholdingup “Noamountofstudyingcanfixme!”I roared,andthebookburstintoflamesinhisveryhands.Heyelped,hissingashedroppedthebooktothefloor,andstampedit outwithhisfeet.

I gasped, mypowers shuttingoff completelyas Master Clarke clutched his hands to his chest. The smell of burnt flesh lingeredintheair.

“No,”Ibreathed,stumblingbackward

He looked atme pleadingly. “Fallon, I’mfine. It’s justa little burn, nothingIhaven’tdone while cooking.” Buthe was lying Icouldseeinhisfacethathewasinpain

“Letmesee,”Ibegged.Already,though,myguiltwasbeingchasedawaybynumbness.

“I’mfine.I’llgowrapthemand ”

“Letmesee!”Iyelled,andthebushtotherightofhimexplodedwithpurpleflames Heswallowedhard,thenproducedhispalmsformetoinspect.AgarbledcryleftmylipswhenIgazeduponthebubbled, redskin

“Youneedahealer.I…Ineedtogo.You’renotsafewith ”

“Fallon”MasterClarkesteppedinmywayasImovedtowalktotheabandonedtwo-bedroomcabinwe’dsharedoverthe pastmonth.

“Thiswasexpected.Iknew therisks.I’mokay.Ihaveatinctureforthepainandtokeepawayinfection.I’llbefine.We needtokeepworking You’vemadesomuchprogress,”hepleaded

Ilaughedthen,asYanricdovedownandlandedonmyshoulder.“Progress?Ionlygetfourhoursofsleepanightbecause ofthenightmares Thevoicesarewithmedailynow Andmypowersaremoreoutofcontrolthanever!”

Butathismentionoftincture,myminddriftedbacktoTheGildedCity,toAvis.Shewasthemothertousall.Iwondered then how the apothecary was doing on the East Side, if her plan to open an undercover clinic there was in motion Were residentscominginfortheir“icecream”andleavinghealed?WasHayeshelpingout?WasAriyon?

Atthethoughtofmyfirstandonlylove,myheartrippedintoathousandpieces.How couldIhavejustlefthimlikethat? HowcouldInotevensaygoodbyetohim?

ButthenIrecalledthelookonhisfaceafterI’dhurtBlair.

Hewasscaredofme,andrightfullyso WhichwaswhyIhadturnedawayeveryletterhetriedtosendthrougharavento MasterClarkeandmadeClarkepromisenottotellAriyonoranyonefromTheGildedCitywherewewere.

“Fallon,deepbreaths.”MasterClarke’spanickedvoicebroughtmebacktomyself.

Oh Light! We were standinginside a funnel of blackshadows, a ringof purple fire dancingat the edge of the treeless meadowwestoodin.

“Staywithme Stayincontrol,”Clarkecoached ‘I miss them too,’ Yanricsaid,asatearrolleddownmycheekandIangrilyswipeditaway. Itookinadeepbreathandcontinueddoingsoslowlyuntiltheshadowfunnelcollapsedandthefirewasnothingmorethan aringofsmoke.

Clarkelookedrelieved.Proud.Smiling.“See?Togetherwecancontrolthis.”

Iforcedmyselftoreturnhissmile,butthenIlookedatYanric.Ididn’tevenneedtosaythewords.Healreadyknew. ‘We leave tonight,’ hesaid.

Ijustnoddedonce Iwasn’tgoingtoletMasterClarkegethurtagain Itwaskindofhimtohelpmewithmymagicallthese weeks.Buttodayhadprovedthatthirtydaysofcountlesshoursoftraininghaddonenothingbutmakemestrongerandlessin control Ifearedwe’dmadeitworse Thepowerinsideofmehadgrownsobig,itfeltlikeIwassuffocating Itwascompeting forroominsideofme,eatingupthepartsofmethatusedtobelightandbrightandfulloflife.

Iwasgrowingdeadinside andIcouldn’tevencryaboutitanymore.

IhadnoregretsasIslippedoutofthecabin,intothecoolnightairwithmypackonandYanricperchedonmyshoulder Ihad enoughdecencystill leftinme toknow thatIcaredfor Master Clarke andwouldnever forgive myselfifIseriouslyinjured him.He hadtriedhis best.I’dgivenhimamonth.Ithadn’tworked.Iwalkedtothe meadow where Ranger was tiedupand pulledhisreinsfromthetreestump

“Readyforanadventure?”Istrokedhisneck,andhechuffed.

SeeingRangermademethinkofAriyonagain OfSolana Myfather Eden Everyone Imissedthemallsomuch,itcaused mychesttofeellikeitwassplittingopen,butthiswasforthebest.MasterClarkeoftensentwordviaraventoTheGildedCity toassurethequeenwewerebothaliveandwellandthatmypowerswereundercontrol Hesaidthatifhedidn’t,shewould sendanarmyafterme.Buthenevertoldherwherewewere,andhespelledtheravenswithsometincturesotheycouldn’tbe followedortracedbacktous.

Ipulled outthe map thatMarissa had sentme withher note and unfolded it Was this crazy? Goinginto the bellyofthe beast?

WhatifshejuststolemybloodforthelocketaroundSolana’sthroatandthenkilledme?

‘She can’t kill you. She needs an heir in order to rule,’ Yanricremindedme.

That was true I could kill her, just blast her with as much magic as possible the first time I saw her but I knew I wouldn’t.IfIwasbeinghonest,therewasaverysmallpartofmethatwantedtohearhersideofthings,thathopedshecould helpmecontrolmypowerorthatImightbeabletotalkheroutofherplannedNightlingattackthatEmmeric,theEaldorFae, hadspokenof theeventthatwouldtakemylife

Iknew Marissa was hungryfor power.She hadkilledalotofpeople inher attackonthe school andmurderedAriyon’s parentsinthemostbrutalway,andyet,Icouldn’thelpbutunderstandatinybitwhatitwasliketolosecontrol Ihadn’tmeant to lightBlair’s hair onfire or burnMaster Clarke’s hands. Whatifshe hadn’tmeantto kill all those students inthe school either?

Yanricclearedhisthroat,andIglancedatmybird. ‘I don’t want Marissa to be a psycho mass murderer either, but let’s not forget she used mind control to force Master Hart to keep the doors closed so that everyone would burn.’

Shame rushedthroughme athis words He was right Iwas makingexcuses for her,tryingtosee her ina better light,to rationalizewhyIwasgoingtohernow.

‘Say the word, and I’ll head for the mountains Tell me going to see Marissa is crazy, ’ ItoldYanric ‘You’re crazy, ’ afemalevoicecackledinmyhead,andIbitdownonmylipsindesperation.

Yanricsighed,snugglingintomyneckandburrowinghisheadthere. ‘I think she’s the only one in the realm that might be able to help slow down whatever is happening to us If she tries to hurt you, I’ll take both of her eyes ’ Ichuckled. ‘I love you, little murder bird.’ ‘And I, you Though I do miss what it feels like to be happy,’hesaid,anditwaslikeapunchtothegut Happiness,joy, deepbellylaughter,Eden,Ariyon,Ayden.Allthosethingsthatusedtomakemesmile,oh,howImissedthemtoo.IfeltlikeI wasn’teventhatpersonanymore,likethatFallonhaddiedandthisnew Fallonreplacedher,andIjusthadtocometoterms withit.

Takinginadeepbreath,IangledRangerinthedirectionMarissahadindicatedwasNightlingCityonthemap.

Light help us all

I

WANTED tostopandrestbutfearedClarkewouldcomeaftermethemomenthewokeintheearlymorninghours.Ididn’t wanttogivehimtimetocatchupwithme Ialsodidn’twanttoleadhimtodanger Marissahadlovedhimonce,butIdidn’t thinkshedidanymore.ShemightkillhimonthespotforallIknew.

Clarkehadfoundthemaprecently Aboutaweekago,hehadbeencleaningupthecabin Mybaghadgottenwet,soI’d hungeverythingouttodry,andhe’dfoundit.Heopenedit,lookedatit,lookedatme,andcloseditagain. Then,hejustsaidthreewords.“Don’tgothere.”

Likeheknewwhatitwas Likehe’dbeenthere Maybehehad.Maybethat’swherehestolemefromherwhenIwasababy. Butifthatwere the case, whynottell QueenSolana? Maybe ifshe amassed a bigenougharmy, she could wipe outthe entirevillageorwhateveritwasinonefellswoop,andwecouldendthis.ButIknewthatwouldn’twork.Theonlythingthat killedNightlingsintheirshadowformwastheUndyingFire AndIwastheonlyonewhohadthat

Iguess thebigger questionwas whyhadn’t I told QueenSolana? I’d had this map for over a monthnow. Iknew Master Clarkewassendingwordviaraventoher.Icouldhavesentthemap…

Itwasliketherewasawargoingoninsideofme OnesidewantedMarissatobereasonable,tobeabletobeconvinced thatherquestforpowerwasfruitless.Theothersidejustwantedherdead.

HowcouldIforgetshehaddrivenanaxeintotheheartofthemanIlove?

Igrowledinfrustration,hatingthatIwasunabletotrustmydecision-makinganymore.Wasthispartofgoingmad?

Atwigsnappedbesideme,causingmetospininthedirectionjustasYanricflewfrommyshouldertogocheckitout

Accordingto the map, we were close to her camp. Could these be scouts? Or justananimal? We’d beenridinghalfthe night,andmorningwasduesoon.Mylimbswereheavywiththeneedforsleep.

‘Nightling incoming!’ Yanricannounced,andIpulledtheUndyingFireintomypalmswithease Twoballsofpurpleflamesrestedinthecenterofmypalms,asacloudofshadowssolidifiedbeforemeintoafemalefae. The womanhad long, blond hair and a tattoo of a spider onher neck She looked at the purple fireballs inmypalms and grinned.“Youcanputthoseaway.Marissawillbehappytoseeyou.”

ThenshepoofedbackintoastreamofblackshadowsandbegantofloatalongthepathinfrontofRanger.

‘I think she wants us to follow her,’ Yanricsaidashelandedonmyshoulder.

MyhearthammeredinmychestasIwrestledwithwhatIwasdoing.WasIseriouslygoingtoseeMarissaBanewillingly?

‘Talk me out of this, Yan Give me all the reasons we shouldn’t do this,’ Isaidtomyfamiliar He looked atme withhis beady, little blackeyes and blinked rapidly. ‘We tried everything. We gave Master Clarke a month I don’t know what else we could do on our own We’ve only become stronger ’

Hewasn’tgoingtotalkmeoutofit hewastalkingme into it.Andhewasright.

Butthere was thatnaggingfeelingdeepinside ofme thattoldme neither ofus was thinkingclearly.Thatthis was a bad ideaandIwastoodepressedandnumbtoknowit.

Theshadowyfigurestoppedinfrontofmeasifwaitingformetofollow.IswallowedhardandgraspedRanger’sreins.I rodeforashortwhile,lettingaNightlingleadmeintothefortifiedgatesofarun-downcity

Mygazeflickedleftandrightaswewalkedthroughthecity.Orwhatwasonceacity.Itlookedlikeithadn’tbeentaken care ofinatleasta century Overgrownvines creptupthe sides ofthe buildings ifyoucouldcall thembuildings The top halveswerecrumblingandopentotheskyabove.Rangerwhinnied,butIforcedhimtokeepgoingwithalightsqueezeofmy heels.

“It’sokay,boy,”Itoldhim

TheroadwasbrokenandunevenastheshadowyNightlinginfrontofusledusdeeperinside.

‘People live here?’ IaskedYanric Itwasn’twhatIhadexpected Ididn’tknowwhatIhadexpectedreally,butitwasn’t this.

‘I think they spend most of their time in shadow form They probably don’t care where they live,’ Yanricmused A horrified thought struck me then. He was right. Ariyon had said that while he was stuck in the Realm of Rebirth, Nightlings’bodieswerepresenttherewhentheywerepresentinshadow formhere,andthatincludedMarissa’s.Iftheyonly spenttenpercentoftheirtimehere,itdidn’tmatterwhatthisplacelookedlike

IswallowedhardasadozenNightlingsoldierscameintoviewandtheshadowyfigureinfrontofmematerializedagain.

I spotted a large pristine-looking meeting hall behind them, which seemed odd considering the abandoned buildings surroundingit. The meetinghall was made ofa cream-colored stone, withlarge steps leadingto opendouble doors where lightswereflickeringinside

“Marissaisexcitedyouhavefinallycome.”AmaleNightlingapproachedmeandgraspedRanger’sreins.“I’lltakehimto thebarnandmakesurehe’sfed.”Hewastall,withsharplypointedearsandblackpitsforeyes.

Rangerwhineddeepinhisthroat,andIhatedthatIwasforcinghimtogoagainsthisinstinctsandbehere What am I doing?

“You’llneedtoleavebehindanyweapons,”aredheadedwomansaid

Therewasaflickerofmotiontomyright,andthenMarissamaterializedbesideme.“She is aweapon,Sadine,”Marissa toldtheredheadandlookedupatmewithasmile,hersnakefamiliartighteningaroundherarm.“Comeinside.Wehavemuch todiscuss”

Fearbloomedinmystomachasregretwashedoverme.ShouldIbehere?ButMarissawasright.I was aweapon,andif mydearold“mother”triedanything,Iwouldshowherjusthowmuchmypowershadgrown Yanrictwitchedalittleonmyshoulder. ‘Tell her you will only talk to her alone. Get these goons to step back. This looks like an ambush ’ Paranoia.Ididn’tblamehim.Iwasfeelingittoo.

“I’llonlyspeaktoyoualone.Getyour…peopletostepback,”ItoldMarissa. Shenoddedonceandthegroupdispersed,scatteringlikeroaches

‘There are hundreds more in the city,’awomancackledinmymind. Igroanedandknockedthesideofmyheadwithmyfist “Stopit!”Iscreamed “Thevoices?”Marissaasked,coolandcalm,asifspeakingabouttheweather. Ihatedher,Ireallydid ShehadkilledAriyon,whomI’donlysavedthroughtheaccidentalswappingofpowerswithhim, andshe’dtriedtokillSolana.Shewasevil…butshewasalsolookingatmelikesheknewexactlywhatIwasgoingthrough, andthatbroughtmeaweirdcomfort.

“Themoreyoufightthem,thelouderthey’llget,”sheadvised Yanricsquawkedloudly,asifhedidn’tlikethesoundofthat.

Iscoffed “Youexpectmetohaveaconversationwiththemorsomething?” Sheraisedoneeyebrow atme,clearlyunimpressedwithmytone.“Well,theyareyourancestors,simplytryingtoadvise you.”

Igasped,peeringatherinshock.Clarkewasright.

Marissapursedherlips.“Didtheymakeyoufeellikeyouwerecrazy?Come,wehavealottocatchupon.”

Isaidnothing,onlyfollowedherinsilenceasthedarkfeelingswithinmegrew Shedematerializedintohershadowform, andIfollowedheraswewalkedtothebigmeetingbuilding.

Themomenthershadowentered,shesolidifiedbackintoherfaeformandwalkedacrosstheroom Mygazedartedaround, searchingforthreats,butIcouldseethatwewerealone.Thegiantspacewasempty,withafewmattressesonthefloor,atable withfoldingchairs,andafireplace.

Ifrowned.“Youlivehere?”

Shelaughed.“Gross.Noway!Thisisourtopsidebaseofoperations.IhaveabeautifulestateintheRealmofRebirth.” IlookedatYan

‘Ariyon said Nightlings barely spend any time here, but I didn’t think that meant they lived elsewhere,’myfamiliarsaid. ‘An estate in the Realm of Rebirth?’Iaskedhim Thatjustsoundedweird shelivedwithabunchofdeadpeople ButI appreciatedthatshewasbeingforthcoming.

Shesatatoneofthechairsandcrossedherlegs,indicatingwithahandthatIdothesame.Ieyedthesnakeatherthroat, coiledlikeanecklace,andIcouldn’tgetwhatshedidtoAriyon’sparentsoutofmyhead

“You’vedonehorriblethings,”IsaidasIsatdown,unabletojustplayalongandpretendsheandIwerealike. She shrugged “To horrible people who think we deserve to die for the magic in our veins They treat us like we are possessedwithevil.”

“Aren’twe?”Iasked She scoffed, leaning forward. “That magic running through you is intuitive. It knows what needs to be done. There is nothingelselikeit.”

Myhearthammeredinmychestatherwords Intuitivemagicthatjustknewwhatneededtobedone? Blair’s hair. Itwasn’tmebutmymagicinstead?

“Theschool,lightingitonfire younevermeanttodothat?Themagicdid?”Iasked Marissa nodded.“Rightlyso!Theyall wantedme dead.Theyall thoughtIwas evil.Athingthattheir ancestors created. Thentheystoleourthrone!”sheyelled

Sothat’show shejustifiedkillingoverahundredstudents?Idecidedsheprobablycouldn’tseereason,soIjustnodded, notwantingtoangerher.

“Canitbecontrolled?”Iaskedher ItwastheentirereasonIwashere Ifshesaidno,Iwasleaving “Whywould youwantto control it? Ifyoucontrol it, youdampenthe power, which, Iamguessing, is growingstronger everyday”Shelookedgreedythen,herblackeyesglistening

“Canitbecontrolled?”Ipressed.“Orwillitcontinuetogrow?Thenightmares,thevoices,thenumbfeeling,depression.” Irattledoffmysymptomsandtherewasaflickerofcompassionthatcrossedherface,butonlyforafractionofasecondbefore itwasgone.

“Thereisapricetopayforbeingsoblessedmagically.Ittakesatoll.”

“Marissa,I’mnotheretogetmorepowerful.Canyouteachmetocontrolitornot?”Istood,thechairscootingbackward andslammingtothefloorasYanricsquawked.

Thesnakeatherneckuncoiled,slidingdownherarmassheglaredupatme “Yes Itcanbecontrolledatagreatdetriment tothemagicitself.”

“Idon’tcareifIlivetherestofmyexistencemagicless Iwantmyoldlifeback Iwanteverythingelsetostop” Acreepysmilecurledherlips.“Ithinkwecanarrangesomething,then.Youlooktired.Whydon’tyougetsomesleepand I’ll beginthe process once you’ve rested” She pointed to one ofthe mattresses onthe floor witha blanketrolled offto the side.

“Whatprocess?”Isquintedmygaze.

Sheshookherheadatme “Youknow,youweretheonlythingIeverloved” Heradmissioncaughtmeoffguard.

“IthinkIlovedClarke,butitwasclearhewasjustusingmetomakehimselffeelbetter Butyou,youwouldbemyminime.YouwouldknowexactlywhatitfeltliketobeaBane.ABanewithsomuchpower,peoplefearedyou.”

“Itsucks,”Itoldher

Shenoddedonce.“Itdoes.Butnotforlong.”Shestoodthenaswell.“Getsomerest.I’llbebacklater.”

Shepoofedintoshadowsandzoomedoutthedoor.

‘I don’t like this I think we should go ’ Yanriceyedtheexits Iwaslookingatthebed,myeyelidsgrowingheavierbytheminute. ‘She says she can help us, Yan.’

‘She didn’t really answer you when you asked how Something doesn’t feel right with her,’Yanricsaid Whatwashetalkingabout?Hewastheonewhoagreedweshouldcomehere.

‘Well, yeah, she’s evil and hates everyone in The Gilded City, but she knew what the voices were She knew the magic was intuitive. She knows all about what we ’ ve been through because she went through it too.’

‘I’ll be back. I’m going to follow her.’ Yanrictransformedintoblackshadowsandleftthroughthewall.

Didheseriouslyjustleaveme? Sketchy, paranoid bird

Iwalkedover tothemattress onthefloor andsat.Iwaitedaminute,thenanother.Yanricstill wasn’tback,andmyeyes werebeginningtodriftshut Iwasjustgoingtolaybackforasecond Yanricwouldwakemeupwhenhereturned,andifhe reallypressedtheissue,IcouldgetRangerandwe’dgo.Wecouldthinkofsomethingelse.ButIreallyfeltlikeMarissaknew whatwasgoingonwithmeandmightbeabletohelpmefeelnormalagain.

ThesecondIclosedmyeyes,Iwassuckedintoasurprisinglybeautifuldream.Ariyonwasholdingmygaze,strokinghis thumbacrossmybottomlip.

“Comehome,”hewhisperedagainstmymouth

Iawoke toa sharppainonmywrist As myeyelids flew open,hands clampedaroundmyarms andlegs,pinningme down Agonyeruptedalongmyspineasmycurseignited.

Iwassogroggywithsleep,ittookmeasecondtorealizewhatthefaewasgoingon.Ipeereddownatthesourceofthe sharppainonmywristandscreamedwhenIsaw Marissa drinking fromit Her lips were wrappedaroundmyskinandthe copperysmellofbloodfilledtheairasslurpingnoisesreachedmyears.

No

Itriedtoyankmywristfromher,butIwasimmobilized.Therewasapresenceinmymind,slitheringaroundlikeasnake.I wasn’talone Itfeltlikeaheavyblanketweighedmedown ‘Stay still,’ Marissacommandedmementally.

PurepanicrippedthroughmewhenIrealizedshewascontrollingmelikeshehadMasterHart.Myfreewillbeingtaken fromme was about the most terrifying thing I could think of The pain of being held down, skin touching my skin, ripped throughmybodylikeafire.

“Yanric!”Iscreamed,pullingformypoweronlytofinditdulledsomehow

“Ican’tsuppressherpowermuchlonger!”afemaleNightlingwithlong,brownhairshoutedfromsomewherenexttome. Suppress my power?!

The gulpingnoises comingfromMarissa were makingme nauseous, as I felt the lifeblood leavingme, dizziness inits wake.IhadthoughtupahundreddifferentscenariosofwhatMarissawoulddotome.Feedingonmybloodwasneverinany ofthem FeelingMarissa’sholdovermeweaken,Itooktheopportunitytofightback,buckingwildlylikeafishoutofwateras Ipulledformypowerandmypalmsheated.

Thepain,itwastoomuch Atleastfour peopleweretouchingmewithfull-oncontactandnotlettinggo,anditmademe feellikeIwasburningalive.Iscreamed,butbarelyanysoundcameout.Itwasasifmybodydidn’tevenhavetheenergyto shout.

“Getoffofme,”Iwhimpered.

Panic fullyconsumed me then, and Igasped ina lungful ofair. Ifocused onwhere mygaze naturallywas and did what Clarkehadtaughtme,pullingblackshadowsfromalongtheceilinguntil theydancedclosertome,drippingdownthewalls The brown-haired Nightling above me screamed and grabbed her head as if she were in pain. Something snapped then. Whatever power she and Marissa held over me broke inthatmoment, and Iexploded withmagic Purple fire shotfrommy palms, scorchingthe side ofMarissa’s face. She shrieked, leapingoffofme witha blood-tinged grin. The other Nightlings holdingmeletgo,andItriedtositupbutfoundmyselftooweakandintoomuchpain.Mybodyjerkedwiththeaftershocksof thecurseasblackdotsdancedattheedgesofmyvision.

No. You will not pass out right now, Fallon, I told myself, trying to fight the dizziness washing over me. I felt drunk, wobbly,fuzzy

The blackshadows I’dconjuredretreated,tooweaktofullyharness mypower.Ipulledfor itagain,fightingthroughthe painasMarissastoodbeforemewearingamaniacalgrin

“Oh,Daughter,thatwaseverythingIhaddreameditwouldbeandmore.”Shelookeddownatherhandsasifseeingthem for the first time, rollingthemover to studythe veins onthe top. I blinked rapidly, wonderingif I was seeingthings. Her normallyblackeyes and general undead lookwere gone Her eyes were a richemerald greennow, her skinless pale, her cheeksrosyandflushed.

“Diditwork?”thebrunetteNightlingsaidasIconvulsedinagonyagain Marissatookinadeepbreathandthenexhaledslowly.“Itdid.”Shegrinned.“Iamboundbymyshadow formnomore. Theprophesywastrue Herbloodisthekeytogivingusourbodiesback”

Agarbled gasp ripped frommythroat as I tried againto stand but was overcome withdizziness. What did this mean? Marissawasboundbyshadowsnomore?Like,herbodywasreborn?Whatdiditmean?

Shehadtakentoomuchfromme toomuchblood MyheartfeltlikeitwasbeatingbetweenmyearsandIcouldn’tthink straight.WherewasYanric?

“I want to go next” The brunette stepped closer to me, but Marissa threw out her hand and a rope of black shadow wrappedaroundthegirl’swaist,pinninghertothespot.

“Touchher,andI’llthrowyouintotheBottomlessPit!”Marissagrowled “Stickwiththeplan Iwillgetonthethroneand thenusethenecklaceSolanaiscurrentlywearing,asqueen,tounbindtherestofyou.Ifyoudrinktoomuch,shewilldie,and thenwherewillwebe?”ShelookedatthegroupofhungryNightlings,andonebyonetheynodded.

Maybeitwasthebloodloss,butmybrainwassluggishinprocessingeverythingshesaid AllIknewwasthatifonemore persondrankfromme,IwasleavingthisrealmandstandingbeforeTheGrim,becausetherewasbarelyenoughbloodinmy bodytokeepmeconscious

Lighthelpme.Imanagedtositupandrollontomyknees,fightingtheurgetopassout.

Ishouldhaveknownshe’dtrickme Iwassostupidforcominghere HadshehurtYanric?Wherewashe?

Marissa’s eyes widened, thenshe grabbed her head suddenlybefore lettingloose witha guttural wail of pain. Asmall trickle of blood left her nose, and myhead whipped toward the opendoorwayjust intime to see Ariyonstep inside with Yanriconhisshoulder

Ihadn’tthoughtmyheartcouldpossiblybeatanyfaster,butitdidatthesightofhim.Heworethefullbattlearmorofthe Queen’s Royal Army,andhewas grinning “Whatever youdid,Marissa,Icanfeel your energynow,whichmeans Icanhurt you,”hegrowled,sneeringather.

Marissafelltoherknees,morebloodtricklingfromhernoseasherfaceturnedblue.

Holy Fae, he was tearing her apart from the inside out, and all I could do was watch in fascination. Then the room explodedintochaos.

TheNightlingspresentpoofedintoshadowandheadedforAriyon,butYanricmetthemhead-on Myfamiliartransformed intoshadowsandtookonthestreaksofblackzippingthroughtheair,crashingintothemandminglingintoangryballs. Awindowtomyrightbroke,andastreakofredhairburstintotheroomandbeganlaunchingavolleyoffireballs Eden.

Iwantedtoburstintosobsatthesightofmybestfriend,buteverythingwastoohard.Thinking.Standing.Feeling.

‘They don’t love you for who you are Only we know your true self,’ oneofthevoicesinsidemyheadsaid.

Another window broke, and thenanother, and suddenlythe roomwas filled withnearlyeveryone Icared about. Ayden, MasterClarke,Hayes

AriyonsidesteppedtheballofshadowsandstoodbeforeMarissa,wholookedneardeath.Unimaginableamountsofblood coveredhershirt Herlipsandfaceweretingedbluewithalackofoxygen,andsheclawedatherthroat,desperatelyinsearch ofairasshelookedupatAriyoninshock.

“YouhavenoideawhatI’mcapableof.”Ariyonspokedownather.

Awaveofremnantpainshookme,andIhadtogriptheedgesofthemattresstokeepfrompassingout

Oneoftheshadowsseparatedfromtheballandformedintothebrunettewoman.Aknifeappearedinherhand,aimedfor Ariyon’sback,andIusedeveryounceofstrengthIpossessedtoscream “Ariyon,behind!”

Hespun,catchingthewoman’shandmidair,andthenmyvisionwasblottedoutwithdarkness IthoughtIhadfainted,butI wasstillconscious we’dbeenmagicallyplungedintodarkness.

Ipulledformypower,butitwasliketryingtoreachintomud.Everythingwasthickandsluggishinmybody.Marissahad nearlydrainedmewhenshe’dfedfromme,anditbrokemyheart Somewheredeepdowninside,Ihadstillexpectedhertobe adecentperson.Amother.ThiswasthelasttimeI’deverunderestimateherandtheevilshewascapableof.

TheroomflaredwithlightasEdenandAydenusedtheirfiretoilluminatethespace,andIwasbothrelievedandannoyed toseethatMarissaandherNightlingsweregone.

Ariyonstrodeacrossthespaceuntilhestoodbeforeme,butIcouldn’tmeethisgaze Iwassoashamed Ihadlefthim I’d lefteveryone.IhadlitBlaironfireandyettheyallstillcametomyrescue. IsuspectedthiswasbecauseofYanric.

‘When I left last night to follow Marissa, I heard her plans When I came back to wake you, they had put some kind of sleep spell over you. I went for help right away, ’ myfamiliarsaidfromhisplaceonEden’sshoulderassherubbedhisneck fondly Theyhadaspecialbond,andIcouldn’timagineithadbeeneasytobeawayfromeachotherforamonth

“Fallon,lookatme.”Ariyonreachedupandgraspedthebottomofmyface,tiltingmychinuptomeethissteel-grayeyes. Histouch,sosoftandsafe,madethenumbnessinsideofmeflickerfortheslightestmoment.Forasplitsecond,Iremembered whatjoyfeltlike andlove.

AndIwantedthatpartofmyselfback.

MybottomlipshookasImethisgaze,preparingforhimtochastisemeforwhatI’ddone.Ortotellmewewouldfigureit outtogether,knowingfull well therewasnocurefor whatailedme.Inadarkmoment,Iwonderedifonlydyingwouldcure thislonely,numbfeelinginsideofme Maybethatwastheonlysolution

“FallonBane,whenIsaidIlovedyou,Imeantit,”Ariyongrowled.“All ofyou.Nomatterwhat.”Thetopsofhishands glowedasthemarkingsswirled,andhishealingenteredmybody,chasingawaythedizziness,pain,andcloudymind Ireachedupandgraspedhishands,restingmineover his.“I’mnottheFallonyouremember anymore,”Itoldhimsadly. “She’sdying”Tearsslippedfromthecornersofmyeyesandtrickledoverhishands “Ican’tfeelheranymore Idon’tknow whothisnewgirlis,butIdon’trecognizeher.”

Edenswallowedasobfromacrosstheroomatmywords,andAydenswoopedintocomforther.Ihadn’tmeanttobeso dramatic, but Iwanted themto know what Iwas dealingwith Ineeded themto know thatIdidn’trecognize myselfinside anymore.Thisdarkmagichadtakenupsomuchroominsideme,Iwasnolongerme.Iwas it.

Ariyonfrowned,nodding “Iknowwhatneedstobedone,andIdon’twantyoutoarguewithmeaboutit,”hecommanded Iwantedtopullawayfromhim,tonotallowhimtohealme,whichwouldtaketimeoffofhislife.Theworldwasabetter placewithAriyoninit,andIwantedtheworldtohavehimforaslongaspossible

Butasheheldme,Ifeltsomeofthestorm cloudsdisperseandmymindclearedforthefirsttimeinamonth.SoIselfishlyallowedhimtocontinuepouringhealinginto measIrobbedhimofhislife.

OldFallonwouldhaveinsistedhestop NewFallonselfishlylethim

“What?”Isaidwithbarelyanyemotionatall.Whateverhisplan,itwouldn’twork.Nothingwasgoingtostopthismagic from growing inside of me I was a Bane, and this curse meant that going insane with madness and hopelessness was inevitable.Itwastentimesworsethanfeelingpainwhentouched.AtleastthenIhadfelt something.NowIwasjustanempty shell,disappearingeventomyself.

“Youaregoingtoswitchourpowersagain,”Ariyonsaid,andIgasped.“Youaregoingtogivemethedarkness,andI’m goingtocarryitforyou.”HesmiledsoradiantlythenthatIwantedtocapturethemomentintimeforever,themomentAriyon proposedsacrificinghimselfforme ItwasthetruesttestamenttolovethatI’deverknown AndonethatIwouldneverallow Ishookmyheadandleanedforwardtopress a kiss onhis lips.He moanedintomymouth,andIpulledawayfromhim, wipingmyeyes

“Thisismyburdentobear,Ariyon.Iwouldneverdragyouintothedarknessinmyplace,”Itoldhim,andthenfullypulled away,cuttingoffthehealingmagichewasgivingme.IsearchedtheroomforMasterClarkeandfoundhimwatchinguswith interest.Icouldseethewheelsturninginhismind.Hesquintedoneeyeslightlywhenhewaslostinthought.

“Iloveyouall,”Iannouncedwithashakybreath.“ButIneedtoleaveandgosomeplaceremotetoletthisplayout.”

“No!”Edenshouted,steppingforward “Youwill not gothroughthisalone”

ThoughAriyonhadhealedme,atleastpartially,Istill neededtomakeupfor theloss ofbloodthatMarissahadtaken.I wasstillslightlyweakinthekneesandtired,butIcouldfeelmypowerhadreturned Ipulledmymagicintotheroomanddark shadowsdancedalongthewallslikeghosts.

“YouhavenoideawhatIcandonow,Eden,howmuchharmIcouldbringtoallofyouifIgotoutofcontrol,”Itoldheras shestaredupattheshadowsinfear ThenIshookmyhandstoexpelthem,andtheydisappeared “I’mnotleaving.”Ariyoncrossedhisarmsdefiantly.

“NeitheramI”Aydenstoodnexttohisbrotherandlookedatmewithsomuchcompassion,Icouldonlyshakemyhead Edendidn’tneedtospeak;shejuststeppedupbesidethemsilently,andthenfinally,HayessidledupnexttoEden. Theyweresostupid Whywouldn’ttheyjustgo?

“Waitaminute.”Master Clarkeenteredthespace,andInoticedfor thefirsttime,hehadacutalonghischeek,probably fromtheNightlings.Hishandswerewrappedingauzefrommyburninghim,andIcouldn’tbeartolookathim.“Ariyon,what yousaidabouttakingthedarknessfromherwasverynoblebutwouldonlyputusinthesameposition,exceptitwouldbeyou whoweweretryingtosave.”

Oh Good Iwasgladheagreedwithme

“But what if she onlygave youhalf?” Master Clarke stepped closer again. “And what if she tookhalf of your healing power?”

“No.”Ibackedupastep,butAriyon’seyeslitup.

“Yes!ForamomentintheRealmofRebirth,whenFallonwasswitchingourpowersback,wewerestuckwithhalfeach. It’spossible”

Atinythreadofhopewoveitswayintomyheart.IfAriyontookhalfofthedarkness,Imightbeabletobreatheagain,to feel,tobeoldFallon ButIwouldn’taskhimtodothat,totakeonthismadnesswithme Whatifwebothwentdark?

As if he read mythoughts, Ariyonstrode confidentlyforward, reachingout to cup myface inhis hands once more and causingafull-bodyflushofheattorunthroughme.ThatacheofdesireIhadthoughtwasdeadroaredtolifewithhistouch.

“Wecanbeatthis.Together,”hepromised,notlettinggoofmyface.

“ButyourMavenhealing.Itwillonlybehalfasstrong.Youmayneversaveanotherlifeagain,”Itoldhim.

Hemighthealsmallwounds,butfightingtheGrimforalifewouldn’tbepossiblewithonlyhalfofhispower. Henodded.“Fallon,fromthisdayforward,ifyourlifeistheonlyoneIeversave,itwillbeworthit.”

Myheartpinchedathisdeclaration “MyBanefamilypowerswilltrytoovertakeyou,”Isaid,tryingtoreasonwithhim “Letthemtry,”hegrowled.“Myhealingpowerswillkeepthematbayinbothofus.I’msureofit.Don’tyousee,Fallon? Weweremadeforeachother”Then,justashehadinmydream,heranthepadofhisthumbovermybottomlip “Awww,”Edencooed.Ihadforgottenweweren’talone.

“Youraunt ”Isaid,feeblygraspingforanyreasonnottodothis

“Forgetmyaunt!Dotheswitchandlet’sgohome,”Ariyonpleadedwithme.

Home tomydad,TheGildedCity,anormallife.

Ipeeredaroundtheroomatmypeople,theoneswhoshowedupinmydarkesthourandrefusedtoleave,andIknewthatif Ididn’tdothis,theywouldstayontherunwithmeforeveranditwouldleadthemintogreaterdanger.Iknew thatifwedid that,oneday,Iwouldlosecontrolandhurtthem

YanricflewfromEden’sshoulderandlandedonAriyon’ssohewasfacingme.

‘Maybe this was what Emmeric saw You went dark for a time but then you end up saving everyone ’

TheEaldorfae’spredictionhadbeenconstantlyonmymind.Icouldn’tpiecetogetherhowIwouldgodarkbutalsosave theentireGildedCityfromMarissaandherNightlings,butmaybethiswashow.

Iheldmybreath,prayingtotheLightthatthiswasn’tamistake,thatbymakingthischoice,noharmwouldcometoAriyon Iachedtofeellikemyselfagain,tochaseawaythedark,numbballofapathythathadformedinsideofme.

Reluctantly,InoddedandreleasedthebreathI’dbeenholding Ariyonsmiledsweetlyanddroppedhishandstograspmine.

TherewassomecomfortinEmmeric’sfuturesightthatIwoulddiewithintheyear.ThatmeantAriyonwouldonlyhaveto putupwiththisforashorttime.

“I’mgoingtokeepwatchoutside,incasetheycomeback,”Aydensaid,andHayesnoddedinagreementastheybothleft. “Lastchancetobackout,”IwarnedAriyon “Never,”hebreathed,andIclosedmyeyes.

ItriedtorememberthelasttimeI’dtradedourpowers,andthevisionofthefaucetwasbroughtintomymind’seye ‘This will never work. You’ll only infect him too, and you’ll both go mad,’ oneofthevoicesofmyancestorssaid. Or it will work, and you’ll be silenced forever, Itold her, and the darkness flared to life inside me as ifitknew itwas abouttobeexpelled.

ImaginingAriyon’spowerasabuttery-yellowlight,Iopenedthefaucetandfeltitrushintome,splinteringthroughthevoid like the sun Then I imagined another faucet of power opening into him and released some of the dark power that was consumingme.

Ariyongaspedandmyeyesflewopen “Areyouokay?”Iasked.

Hiseyesfilledwithunshedtearsasheswallowedhard.“Thisiswhatyou’vebeencarrying?”

Inodded,andhesteppedcloserbutdidn’treleasemyhands,restinghisheadonmyshoulder,nuzzlingmyneck For the firsttime ina longtime, Ifeltthe numbness leave me. Ariyon’s healingmagic flooded mybody, breakingup the darknesslikeoldcobwebs,andIpeereddownatmyhandstoseethatonlyoneofthemhadtheMavenhealer marks ThenI lookedatthetopofhisandsawthathehadonlyoneaswell.

Inmymind’s eye,Iturnedoffthetaps,keepingus bothinthis in-betweenstate,wherewesharedpowers Iletgoofhis hands,andhisarmswrappedaroundmeasheheldme.Littlebylittle,theemotionsthatI’dbeenmissingforweekscreptback intomyheart love,admiration,longing,happiness.

Ilaughed,asoundsoforeigntomyears,itmademesad Icouldn’trememberthelasttimeIhadtrulylaughed

Ariyonpulledbackwithasmileandplacedaquickkissonmylips.“I’msorryyouhadtocarrythisalone.”

“I’msorryyouhavetohelpcarryitnow,”Itoldhim Itwas still there,inthebackground,hidingbehindAriyon’s magic fromtheHouseofLightandEther.

“Behonest”Helookedatme “Isthisthemostromanticthingaguyhaseverdoneforyou?”

Laughterpealedoutofme,andhegraspedmywaist,liftingmeoffthegroundandbackintohisarms.Joybledintomysoul, givingmelifeinthatmoment,andIcouldhardlybelieveit.Itworked.

‘Yan, how are you feeling?’ IaskedmyfamiliarasAriyonsetmedown Iwassuddenlyworriedthatmybirdwouldnotbe fixed.Yes,wewereconnected,buthedidn’tshareAriyon’spowerslikeIdid.

‘Feeling better and ready to go home ’ Hisvoicesoundedbrighter,andIsaggedinrelief “Yan’sbettertoo,”Itoldeveryone.

“ThanktheLight.Weshouldgo.Marissawillcomeback,”MasterClarkeannounced.

Igrabbedmyglovesandmypackandtookonelastlookatthedarkroom.Istillwasn’tsurewhatexactlyhadgonedown here,butIfeltsomuchbetter,somuchlikeoldFallon,thatevenwiththeprophecyfromEmmeric,Iwashopefulthatwhatever

WegrabbedRanger andfledquicklyonhalfadozenhorses WerodefastandhardinthedirectionofTheGildedCityfor a few hoursbeforeslowingtogiveourhorsestimetorest.Ariyontookthattimetoheal MasterClarke’sburnedhands.Ittook longerthannormal,andtheydidn’tfullyheal,buttheblisterswentdownandthepainwasgone.Therewasjustabitofangry redskinleft

Icouldn’tbelieveAriyonhadgivenuphispowertosavelivesforme.Icouldn’tbelieveIwasgoinghomeandthatIfelt somewhatnormalagain Itwasalltoomuchtoprocess,especiallysinceI’dspentthelastmonthnumb Nowallofmyemotions werehittingmeatonce.

Oncewewereridingagainataslow trot,MasterClarkepulledhismareupalongsideRanger “Whathappenedinthere, Fallon?HowwasAriyonabletohurtMarissa?”heasked.

Ariyonanswered.“Icouldfeelherenergy,likeIdowiththeliving.Something’schanged.” Ichewedmybottomlip “I’mnotsureexactly,butshe drankfromme” Ourlittlegroupcollectivelygaspedandshameburnedthroughme.

“She said myblood worked That some prophesywas true, and she was ” I paused as I tried to remember the exact wording.“…unboundfromtheshadowsnow,thatIwasthekeytotheNightlingsgettingpermanentbodies.”

ThecolorleachedfromMasterClarke’sface

“She said she could unbind the other Nightlings with the necklace Solana wears…and my blood,” I finished, feeling ashamedeventhoughIhadn’tdoneanythingwrong.

“That’showshedoesit,”MasterClarkebreathed “That’showtheygetpermanentbodies” Werodeforanotherhourinsilence,allofuswrappedupinourownthoughts.

“Doesyourauntknowyoucametogetme?”IfinallyaskedAriyon HesharedalookwithAyden,andIknewwhathewasgoingtosaywasn’tgood. “Yes,”heanswered,buttherewashesitationinhisvoice.

“Justtellme,”Isaid,knowingSolanahadnodoubtbeenpissedwhensheheardthatbothofherheirswantedtojumpinto harm’swayfortheBanegirl.

Ariyoncleared his throat just as the sound of horse hooves surrounded us I spun, glancingat the flame emblemonthe breastplateofthenowtwodozenGildedCityRoyalGuardswhoencircledus.

“Sheforbidus Sowesnuckout,”Ariyonfinished

“Youcouldhavebeenkilled!”Solana’svoiceechoedinthedarknessofthenightandwealljumped.

Theguardsparted,andtheforestglowedasQueenSolanarodeuponherstallionlookingmadderthanI’deverseenher. Evenso,myheartsoftenedtowardher.Somehow,Ialways hada softspotfor thatwoman.Maybe itwas myownlackofa mothergrowingup.MaybeIwasalwayslookingforanolderfemaleinmylife.Maybeitwasthewayshefiercelyprotected herpeople,includingAriyonandAyden Irespectedheralot Evenwhenshehatedme

“Bothstillalive.Alliswell,Auntie.”Aydengaveheracherrysmile,everthepeacemaker. Solana’sgazesnappedtomeandnarrowed ThenhereyesflickedtoAriyonandhishands,thenbacktomeandmygloved hands.

“Takeoffyourgloves,”shecommanded.

“AuntSol ”Aydeninterjected,butsheshuthimupwithaglare Her bodywas literallyglowingas ifshe were emittingsunlight, and Iknew this would have to be dealtwithsooner or later

I pulled the gloves off to reveal the Maven mark on the top of my hand, and she growled, looking at Ariyon with disappointment “Isthisajoketoyou?Isthesafetyofyourpeople,yourbrother,ajoke?”sheaskedhim

IbristledatSolana’sreactiontowhatAriyonhaddoneforme,thoughIwasn’tcompletelysurprised. Hesattaller,glaringather.“No,it’snot.IsmyloveforFallonajoketoyou?WouldyounotdothesameforBastian?”

Hercheeksreddenedasshelookedaroundattheguardspresent Bastianwasthequeen’slover,aguardwhomI’dsaved fromcertaindeath.

Solanalookedatme “Wehadadeal Youstartgoingdark,youtellme” “Whatwouldyouhavedone?”Iaskedher.

“LockedyouupinBaneManor,asagreedon,”shestated “Wheremypowerswouldeventuallygrow,myfather wouldnever leavemyside,andI’denduphurtingthoseIlove,”I toldher.

She nodded “Iwill see to itthatyour father is removed fromthe premises and notallowed back Justgive Ariyonhis powersandthenI’llescortyoutoBaneManor.”

Ithitmethen,whyshewasglowing,whyshe’dbroughttwodozenguardswithher “YouthinkI’mgoingtohurtyou?”Icouldn’tkeepthesadnessfrommyvoice.ShewaslituplikeatreeatWinterSolstice becauseshewasreadytoattackme!Inherdefense,sheprobablyhadn’tknownwhatshapeshewouldfindmein “LastIheard,youlitBlairCrawford’shaironfirewithyourmind,”sheshotback. Shamerushedthroughme.“Fairenough.ButI’mfeelingnormalnow,”Iadmitted,andthenreachedforAriyon’shand. Hegraspedmineandsmiledatmeinashowofsupport

“Wearen’tchangingpowersback,AuntSolana.I’minthiswithFallonuntiltheend,”Ariyondeclared.

“Weallare,”Aydensaid,pipingup

“Yep,”Edenpoppedthe p. “Metoo,”Hayestoldher.

Solanapracticallyexplodedwithragethen.Her jaw set,theveinsinher neckbulged,andthelightglowingoffher body grewbrighter.“FallonBane,youstopthisfoolishnessrightnow!GivemynephewbackhispowersorI’ll ” “You’llwhat?”Ariyonasked,droppingmyhandashekickedthesidesofhishorsesothatitrushedatQueenSolanaheadon.

TheentireRoyalArmysurgedforwardafewfeetasSolanalooked,wide-eyed,indisbeliefathernephew “I’venevertakenyouforastupidwoman.I’vealwayslookeduptoyouforyourstrengthandintelligence.Sobelieveme nowwhenItellyouthatitwouldbe very stupidtoeverthreatenFallonagain.Iloveher.AsIloveyou.AndIwon’thesitateto protecther.Evenfromyou,”Ariyonannounced.

Theairwaschargedwithtension,everyoneholdingtheirbreath.TheareaaroundusdarkenedasSolana’spowersdimmed. Shelookedathernephewwithsomuchhurt,Iwantedtotearacrossthemeadowandhugher

IalsowantedtograbAriyonandkisshimwithoutevercomingupforairafterhe’djustspokenupformelikethat. “Butshecouldhurtyou,me,allofus,”Solanasaid,butshesoundeddefeated Ariyonhelduphishand,theonewithnomark.“Notnow.Now,webothcarrythedarkness,andIwon’tletanyonegethurt. Ineedyoutogetoverthisvendettaagainsther.EitherthatorFallonandIleaverightnow.Wegomakealifeinanothertown andyouneverseeusagain”

SolanaandIgaspedatthesametime. Hewoulddothat?Forme?

“Youwouldn’t.”Shesaiditsosoftly,Ibarelyheardher.

Ariyonreachedoutandgrabbedherhandsinhis “Iwould,”hewhisperedback Awaveofemotionscrashedintomethen.WhateverfeelingsofrejectionIcarriedfrombeingleftatthegatesofIsariahas achildhadmostlyhealedwhenmyfatheradoptedme.Butsomehadremained.Thoseremnantswereobliteratednow,inthis moment,whenthePrinceofTheGildedCitytoldhisaunthewouldleaveher,hisinheritance,allofit forme

Sheclearedherthroatandnodded.“Let’sgohome,”QueenSolanasaidloudlytoeveryone. “WithFallon?”Ariyonprodded Shelookedatme,defeated.“WithFallon.”

ReliefmeltedthroughoutmylimbsasIthoughtofseeingmyfatheragain MasterClarkegavemeathumbs-up,andweallsetoffforTheGildedCitytogether.NeverinamillionyearshadIthought I’dbegoingback.

WE ENTERED thecityinthedeadofnight Onlyafewguardswereout,andthatwasforthebest Iwasn’tsureIwantedto faceanyofTheGildedCitycitizensrightnow.ThequeenandherRoyalGuardsescortedusallthewaytoBaneManor.Master Clarkebrokeoffhalfway,toheadtohishouse,andtoldmewewouldcatchuptomorrow Thereseemedtobealittlesadness

insideofMasterClarkewhenheleft,andIwouldbelyingifIdidn’tadmitthatIfeltitabittoo.Ourmonthtogetheroutinthe abandoned cabinhad bonded us a traumatic bond buta bond nonetheless. Abond thatwas, maybe, like a buddingfatherdaughterrelationship Nowwewouldgobacktoouroldlives teacherandstudent

WhenwereachedBanemanor,Ariyon,Ayden,Eden,andHayesvowednottoleavemyside,claimingwewouldhavea sleepover Iwas exhausted yetexhilarated atthe same time After notfeelingemotions for so long, joyand happiness were bubblingoverinsideme.

“Wewilltalkaboutthisinthemorningandmakesomegroundrules,”QueenSolanatoldme Ijustnodded,gratefulshehadn’tcagedmerightthenandthere.

Aftersheleft,Iknockedonthedoor.Ihadleftwithoutmykey,andIhopedmydadwouldn’tbetoostartledwhenhe Thedoorrippedopen,andmyfatherstoodtherelookingalert,likehe’dstayedupwaiting “Fallon!”Hisvoicecaughtas hereachedformycoveredshoulders.

“Wetoldhimweweregoingtogetyou,”Edensaidfrombehindme TearsfilledmyeyesasIlookedathim.Myfatherlookedunkempt,withafullbeardanddarkcirclesunderhiseyes,andI realizedthatleavingwithouthimmusthavehurthimsobadly

“Areyouokay?”Hefranticallyglancedovermybodyasifsearchingforwounds.HiseyesfilledwithtearswhenInodded. “She’sfine.”Ariyonsteppedupandsqueezedmydad’sshoulder.“IbroughtherhomelikeIsaidIwould.”

MyfatherdroppedmyhandsandpulledAriyonintoahug,andmythroatconstricted “I’msothankfulforyou,son,”mydadmurmuredinAriyon’sear,andIlookedatEdentoseeshewastearingup. Isawnowthatmyleavinghadleftamarkonallofthem,andtheguiltofitwormeditswayintomychest “I’msorryIleft.Ihadnootherchoice.Iwas ”

“It’s okay.” Edenstepped up beside me and tookmygloved hand inhers, givingit a hard squeeze. “Youdon’t need to explain.We’rejustsogladyou’rehome.”

“Isanyoneelsehungry?”Hayesblurtedout,andweallburstintolaughter.

MyfatherpulledawayfromAriyon,wipingathiseyes,andshrugged “It’sthemiddleofthenight,butIcouldmakesome breakfast.”

Withthat,weallfiledintothekitchen Mydadturnedontheoven,gettingintohiselement Itwasafarcryfromhavingto rationmeatandbreadinthesamemeal.Withinanhour,mydadhadbakedcheddarbiscuits,andmadeahugepileofscrambled eggsandawholeplateofsausages.

EveryonetradedstoriesaboutwhatIhadmissedwhileIwasgone.IquicklylearnedthatQueenSolanahadtheentirecity wallreinforcedwithamagicalbarrierthatdetectedNightlingsandsoundedanalarmwhentheybrokethrough.Theschooland all the richhomes onthe EastSide had builtunderground bunkers thatwere magicallylined to keep Nightlings out, evenin theirshadowform.

“WhatabouttheWesties?”Iasked Edenchuckled.“We’llbethefirsttodieinanattack.”

Shewasjoking…butnotreally.Anditwasn’tfunny.

“SpeakingoftheWestSide”Hayespipedupwithamouthfullofsausage “The‘icecream’shopisthriving QueenSolana evenstopsbytogetascoopandleavesahugetiptokeepeverythingrunning.”

Ismiledatthat,rememberinghow she’dactedwhenshehadstoppedbytoseeAvisinher regular shopontheEastSide andboughtabunchofhertinctures,leavingabigtipthattimetoo.Solanawasgoodatheart.

“Areyoudoingalotofhealings?Arepeoplegettingbetter?”Iaskedeagerly Ithadbeenpartlymydreamtogetabetter healingclinicgoingontheWestSide.IwassadIwasn’ttheretoseeit.

Edennodded.“Hundreds.Moraleisupwithinthecity,andeveryoneisdoinggreat.Theclinicactuallyhastimetoseethe seriouscases”

Thatwasarelief.“Is…Avisokay?”Theguiltwasback.I’dlefthertoo. Edennodded “Shemissesyou She’llbethrilledyou’reback”

Itwasalottotakein,Marissafeedingoffofmeandsomehow now havingaforeverbody,Ariyontakinghalfmypower andgivingmehis,allthenewsaboutwhathadhappenedherewhileIwasgone Iyawned,suddenlyexhausted,andeveryonenodded.

“Let’scrash.”Hayesleanedbackandtappedhistummy,whichwasnowbloated.

“Icalltheredbed!”Edenpoppedup

“No,that’sthemostcomfortableone!”Aydensaid,frowning.

Ipeeredatthem,confused Whatwastheredbed?Andwhydiditsoundliketheyhadsleptoverherebefore?

“Comeon.I’llshowyou.”Edenpulledmyhand,andIfollowedhertoalargeroomonthefirstfloor.Itusedtobeagiant ballroom.Whensheopenedthedoors,myheartpinched.Inthecenteroftheroomwerefourbeds,alllinedinaneatrow.Each bedhadcurtainsforprivacyhangingfromtheirfourtallposts.Onehadaredcomforter,oneblue,oneblack,andonegray.At thefarwallweremapsandnotesstucktoitinEden’shandwriting.

“Yourdadkindof…brokedownwhenyouleft.Sowestartedsleepingovertokeephimcompanyanddoresearch.Then, weallstartedlookingforyou,anditkindofstuck.Westayherethreenightsaweekandyourdadcooks.It’slikeareallycool dorm”

Iputmyhandsovermyfacethen,hidingtheshameIfeltforcausingthemalltogothroughthis.

“Hey,it’sokay”Edenpeeledmyfingersbackonebyone,forcingmetolookather Ihadmissedherwild,red,curlyhair andintensestare.Herhonestyandlaugh.Herloyalty.

“IjustwishIcouldhugyou,Fallon Iwassoworried”

Inodded,pullingmyhandsdown.“Thanksforunderstanding,andthanksforbeingsuchagoodfriend.” Hayesrushedpastusthen,sprintingtotheredbedanddivingin.

Edengrowled “Hey!Notfair”Shetoreafterhim

Ismiledatthebanter,andmyheartwasfilled.Itfeltsogoodtofeelagain,likethedarkcloudshadliftedfrommymindand Iwasbacktobeingme

“Gladyou’reback.”Aydensqueezedmyhandashepassedby,butIgrippedhishard,yankinghimtoastop. Ifacedhim,onthevergeoftears “Idon’tdeservesuchaloyalfriend Thankyou,Ayden” Hesmiledthen,adevastatinglyhandsomesmilethatstill sometimes threw me,seeingas hewasidentical inlooks tomy boyfriend.

“Okay, that’s enoughhand-holding,” Ariyonbroke injokingly, and Aydenlaughed, droppingmygloved hand as Ariyon cuppedthesidesofmyface.

“Areyoujealous?”Iaskedhim,referringtomyhand-holdingwithAyden “Atinybit.Imean,heisyourex,andwedosharethesameface.” Igrinnedatthat.“Andheisnicerthanyou.”

“Hey!”Hepokedmeplayfullyintheribsandlaughterpealedoutofme.

“Light,Imissedthatlaugh.”Heleanedhisforeheadagainstmineandmybodyheatedattheproximity.

Inuzzledhisneck,pepperingitwithkissesbeforemovinguptohisear “Thankyouforsavingme” “Always,”hemurmuredback,andkissedmegoodnight. IhadnodoubtthattheLighthadmadeAriyonjustforme

AFTER WISHING allofmyfriendsgoodnightandapprovingYanric’srequesttosnugglewithEden,Iwenttomyroomand dugthroughmyclothes.MydadhadworriedaboutmetheentiretimeIwasgone,andIfeltawfulaboutthat,soIwasgoingto dosomethingwe usedtodowhenIwas a kid Itfeltprettystupidbutalsogood,andIknew he neededitas muchas Idid Slickingmyhairintoabun,Ithrewmytravelingcloakonoverlongpantsandmadesuremysocksandgloveswerecovering me IhadAriyon’shealingpowersnow,andifmydadaccidentlytouchedme,thensobeit Iwouldheal Iwantedtohugmy dad,andIdidn’twanttouse the tincture thatEmmeric hadmade for me justyet.Iwas savingthe special potionthatwould suspendmycurseandallowmetotouchmylovedonesforanotherday Paddingdownthehallway,Iknockedonhis door.Heopenedit,lookingconcerned.Whenhesaw meall bundledup,he gavemeasadsmile.

“Hug?”Iasked Herushedbackintohisroom,puttingonhiscoattocoverhisarms,andthenmetmebackinthedoorway.Icarefullyturned myheadtothesideandthenwrappedmyarmsaroundhim,makingsuremyexposedfacewasturnedawayandnowherenear his.Hisarmstightenedaroundmesohard,ithurtandfeltgoodatthesametime.

“Oh,kiddo,Iwassoworried.Whydidn’tyoutakemewithyou?Iwoulddoanythingforyou.”

“BecauseIdidn’twantyoutogethurt.”Iclungtohim,relishingthefeelingofasimplehugfrommyfather,somethingIwas constantlydeprivedof.

Touchwassuchanaturalthingforsomany,theydidn’tevenrealizehowoftentheydidit

“Youwouldn’thurtme.”Hesoundedcertain.

Ididn’twanttotellhimaboutburningMasterClarke Iwassurehe’dheardaboutBlairandherhair,andmaybehethought itwas anaccident. Well, it was anaccident, butmaybe he loved me too muchto realize whatIcould have become had the darknessfullyconsumedme.IlikedhimthinkingIcouldneverhurthim,soIdidn’tsayanythingtocounterit.Ijustheldhim, saidIwassorry,andtoldhimhowmuchIlovedhim.

Thatnight,IsleptbetterthanIhadinweeks.

ThenextdayIawokeintheafternoon ThebloodlossfromMarissadrinkingfrommehaddefinitelyaffectedmyenergylevel, even with Ariyon’s magic running through my veins. By the time I got downstairs, our housekeeper Daniella was already cleaningupthekitchenandeveryonewasgone.

“Oh,Fallon,we’resogladyou’rehome,”shetoldme Ismiledandthankedher.“Whereiseveryone?”

“Yourdadwenttowork Heleftyouanote Andthekidswenttoschool Ariyonsaidtocomeovertohisplaceafter” Ismiledatthethoughtofmydadleavingoneofhislittlefour-wordnotes,butwhenshehandedmetheletterwithmultiple sentences,thesmileturnedtoafull-fledgedgrin

Hey Kido, Ayden has ben teachin me to read and write. Come to Budderflie Inn if you need me. Otherwyze I wull see you latur. I luv you. Dad.

I HELD thelettertomychestandhadtoblinkbacktears.Aydenwasthesweetestsoul,sogivinginnature.Myfatherlearning toreadandwritewouldhelphimgofurtheratworkandinlife,andIwassogratefulinthismoment Istowedthenoteawayin akitchendrawersoIcouldkeepitforever.

Ilooked around the kitchen, tookina deep breath, and sighed There were a lot ofamends to make todaybefore Ifelt comfortablejustreturningtomynormallife.Withthat,Igrabbedamuffinandwalkeddowntothebasement.Stridingoverto the glass-top displaycase, Islipped the creepyshell crystal, the one thatseemed to be some sortofa linkto the Realmof Rebirth,intomybackpackandthenwentoutsidetogetRanger.

Yanricflewdownfromthetreestomeetme.

‘Where we going?’ heasked ‘I’m going to see Queen Solana. Meet up later?’ Iaskedhimback.

‘I’ll go see Eden It’s lunchtime She’s probably got some extra saved for me ’

Ismiledatthat.Sheprobablydid.

YanricflewoffandIrodetothecastle Iwaitedatthefrontforovertenminutes,whiletwoguardsranmymessagetothe Queen.Afteranagonizingwait,halfadozenRoyalGuardsescortedmetoheroffice.Ifeltlikeacriminal,butIunderstood.I wasconstantlydisappointingthiswoman,andshe’dprobablynevertrustmeagain.

Whentheguardknockedonthedoortoheroffice,QueenSolanaopeneditandmetmygaze “Hello,Fallon”Shesounded likeshe’dbarelyslept.

Igaveheragoofywave,unsurewhattosayordo,andwaitedforhertoinvitemeinside assumingshewasgoingto Shemightjusthavethemthrowmeinherbasementjailrightnow.

“Comein,”shesaid,sighing,andthensteppedoutofthedoorway.

Imovedtogoinside,andtheguardsmovedwithme,butsheheldupahand.“I’mfinetospeaktoheralone.”

“YourHighness,Iadviseagainstthat,”oneoftheguardssaid.

Sheraisedoneeyebrowathim.“Noted.”Thensheshutthedoorinhisface.

Iwantedtosnickeratthewayshe’dshownhimwhowasboss,butmystomachwasinknots.Thisconversationwasgoing tobeawkward,nodoubt,butwehadtogetthroughit

“Youbrokeyourpromisetome,Fallon,”shesaidwithouthesitating.

Iheldmyfingertomylips,indicatingshebesilent,andshefrowned Ipulledthecrystalshelloutofmybag,withanoteI hadwritten,andputitonherdesk.ThenoteexplainedthiswasalisteningdevicetotheRealmofRebirthandthatIwasn’tsure ifitworkedbothways,soweshouldbequietwhileitwasintheroom

Whenshesatandreadthenote,hereyebrowsshotupimpossiblyhighonherforehead.Thenshegrabbedtheshellandheld ittoherear,pushingalockofblondhairawayfromherface.

There was a moment of her listening, and then surprise showed on her face as her mouth went slack She gave me a quizzical look and then nodded. Standing from the desk, she strode across the room and disappeared behind the secret bookcaseandintohersecondaryroombeforereturningwithouttheshell

“Thankyouforthat.Itmighthelpusinthefighttocome,”shesaid.

Inodded “Iwantedtocomeandapologizeforbreakingmywordtoyou Tobehonest,IwasafraidthatifIstayed,Iwould dohorriblethingstothepeopleIlove,andIcouldn’tstandthat.”

Sheshifteduncomfortablyinherseat.“Butyouwon’tdohorriblethingsnow?” IpulledoffmygloveandtappedAriyon’sMavenmark “Ifeellikemyselfagain Incontrol Novoices,nonightmares,no angrypoweroutbursts.”

She staredatthe markas ifshe wantedtowill itaway,andIknew she hatedthatAriyonhadgivenittome,thathe had compromisedhisabilitytohealforme.

“IstillwanttoworkwithyouondefeatingMarissaandtheNightlings,”Itoldher. Shecrossedherarms,takingmeinwithashrewdgaze.“I’mnotsureIwantyourhelp,ifI’mbeinghonest.Ithoughtwehad trust.Youassuredmeyouweren’tgoingtogodark.Youpromisedifyoudid,youwouldtellme.Idon’thaveroomforanyone inmyBrigadewhomIfeelIhavetowatchmybackaround,”shesaidbluntly Herwordsstung,butIunderstoodwhereshewascomingfrom.

Sheneededtotrustme,andinorderforhertodothat,Ihadtolayitalloutthereforher Ihadtotellhereverything “WhenIwenttoseetheEaldorFaeaboutAriyon…hetoldmemyfuture.”

Shegasped.“Canthatbetrue?”

Inodded.“Iassureyou,itis.Heknewthingsonlysomeonewhoseesthefuturewouldknow.IgavehimmywordIwould tellnooneabouthisabilities.NotevenAriyonormyfatherknow.”

Solananodded,lookingserious “Iwilltakeittomygrave Iwenttoschoolwithsomeonewhocouldglimpsethefuture It’sverydelicatemagicthatnoteveryoneispowerfulenoughtocarry.”

IhopedshemeantthatbecauseEmmerictrustedmewithhistruth,andIdidn’twanttobetraythat “Hetoldmeexactlyhow tobreakAriyonoutoftheRealmofRebirth.HetoldmeIwouldgodark,buthealsotoldmeIwouldsaveeveryoneinThe GildedCity,”Isaid.

Solanasatupstraighterandcockedherheadtotheside “Hetoldyouthat?Thatyouwouldsaveeveryone?” Inodded.“HesaidthatIwouldsavetheentireGildedCitybutatgreatcost.” Solanafrowned “Whatcost?”

Iswallowedhard.“BeforeItellyou,Ineedyoutoswearyouwillnottellanyoneelse.Idon’tintendtotellmyfamilyor friends”

Herfrowndeepened.“Iswearitonmycrown.”

Inoddedandcontinued,“Hesaidthecostwouldbemylife,andthatwithintheyear,Iwouldbedead.”

QueenSolanagasped,herbrowknottingandcausinghertolookmucholder Silencestretchedbetweenus,andherconcernchangedtoshock.

“Soyouwon’thavetoworryaboutAriyon,”Isaid,tappingtheMavenmarkonmyhand “Thisistemporary” “Fallon,I…Idon’tknowwhattosay.Ishesure?TheEaldorfae?”

“He’ssure,”Isaidcalmly I’dcometotermswithitall

Sheblewairthroughherlips.“Yousureknowhowtogetmyheartpumping.” Ilaughed.“Well,hangon,thereismore.”Icaughtheruponwhathadhappenedthepreviousnight thatMarissahaddrunk frommeandseemedtobealivingbeingnowandpossiblymorepowerful,thoughAriyonhadcertainlyinjuredher Ialsotold herthatifMarissakilledSolanaandgotthatnecklace,alongwithmyblood,shehadawaytogiveherNightlingspermanent bodies

Solana’seyeswerewidetheentiretime.

“Well,Ineedadrink.”Shestoodandwalkedovertoacabinet,openingittorevealabottleofamberliquid.Afterpouring thefluidintheglass,shetookitbackinoneshot.Thenshecametositbackinfrontofme.

“Sowhatdowedo?”sheaskedme.“DidtheEaldorFaesayhowyouwinthebattle?”

Ishookmyhead.“Westillgottafigurethatout,butIknowwewin.” Shescoffed.“Well,that’salotofpressure.Whatifwetakeavacationanddonothingandthefuturechanges?” Ishruggedmyshoulders “Ihavenoideahowallthatworks” Solananodded,tappingthedesk.“Allright,well…Iguesswe’reonthesameteamagain?” Icouldn’thelpthesmilethatgracedmyface “Ifyou’llhaveme” “Youjusttoldmeyouweregoingtodiewithintheyearandthatyouwoulddososavingmypeople.IthinkIhavetonow,” shesaidjokingly Ilaughedandstood.“We’llbeintouch?” Shenodded.

Andwiththat,Iturnedtoleaveheroffice,feelingmuchbetterthanwhenIcame “Oh,Fallon!”Solanacrossedtheroomandhandedmeaflatboxthesizeofmypalm,tiedwithawhiteribbon. Ifrowned

“Iwantedtothrowitintothefire,butIkeptitbecauseyouearnedit,”sheexplained. Ipulledtheribbonoffthepackageandliftedthelidinconfusion AlumpformedinmythroatwhenIsaw thegiantgold flamebroach.Engravedalongthebottomwerethewords: Order of the Flame. Fallon Brookshire. “Youusedmydad’sname,”Imanagedtosay.

Shewavedmeoffasifshe’dbecomeuncomfortablewithmyshowofemotion “Ariyon’sidea Wearitonyourshirtforthe nextfewdaysandpeoplewillknowIhaveforgivenyou.Thatyou’reoneofusagain.”

Ididn’twanttopushmyluck,buttherewasonethingIwantedtoaskher “DoyouthinkthereisanypossiblewayIcould gobacktotheAcademy?”

Shewinced.“Fallon,I’msorry,butthat’snevergoingtohappen.Blair’sfathermademepromiseifyouresurfacedthatyou wouldneversetfootonschoolgroundsagain.Igavehimmyword.”

Inodded, feelinglike I’d beenpunched inthe gut. I’d scared Blair’s familyso badlythattheywere worried abouttheir daughter’ssafetyaroundme Eventhoughshewastheonewhojumpedmewithherfriendsandnearlykilledme Still,whatI didtoherwasinexcusable,andshewasonmylistofpeopletoseetoday.

“Iunderstand”

“WecanarrangeforprivatetutoringatBaneManor?”sheoffered.

“Soundsgood,”Itoldherandleft.

I LEFT Rangeratthequeen’sstablebecauseIdidn’twanttoberecognizedintown

MynextstopwastheoneIwasdreadingthemost,evenmorethanhavingtoleavealetteratBlair’shouseonRoyalRow later today Ididn’treallyever lookup to Blair, so ifshe hated me, itdidn’thurt ButAvis was another story IfI’d had a normal mother, Iimagined she’d be someone like Avis. She was kind, forgiving, and always caringaboutothers. Iwas her employee,andIhadleftwithoutevensayinggoodbye Morethanthat,Iwasherfriend

SinceIlivedontheEastSidenow,eventhoughitwasinanoff-the-beaten-pathpartofthecity,Ididn’tneedtoshowIDto theguardstogettoAvisApothecary.Ikeptmycloak’shoodpulledupandmyheaddownasIwalkedpastthebrightlycolored shopsandwasremindedofmyfirstnighthere ItfeltlikeforeveragothatI’dbrokenintoTheGildedCitytosavemyfather’s lifeandexperiencedthekindnessthiswomanhadshownme.Ultimately,itwasherknowledgeofwheretofindAriyonthathad savedhim

BythetimeIreachedAvis’sshop,Iwassofilledwithshameandremorse,Icouldn’tbeartogoinside.SoIpacedthefront instead,tryingtobuildupthenerve.WhatwouldIsay?Didshehiresomeoneelse?Didshehateme?Wasshescaredofme? Thiswasasmallcity.Iwasbettingshe’dheardaboutmelightingBlair’shaironfire,and

The door opened to myleftand Avis was there, eyes alight, smile plastered on. “You’re home,” she said, beaming, and rushedatme

Mythroatcloggedwithemotionasherhandsclampedaroundmyshouldersandsqueezed.

“Light,Imissedyou,child Iwassoworriedaboutyou”Hereyesgrewmisty,andallofmyapprehensionfled Ofcourse shewouldbeamazingaboutthis.

Shescannedmybody,nodoubtreadingmyenergy,andnodded.“Youseemtobeyourselfagain.” IpulledoffoneoftheglovesandshowedherAriyon’sMavenmark.Hereyesflewopenwider.

“I’msosorryforleavingandnotsayinganything,”Imanaged.

Shewavedmeoff “I’mclosingshop Let’shavesomehotchocolateandcatchup” Anhourlater,withabellyfullofhotchocolateandawarmheart,IlefthershoprelievedthatAvisunderstoodeverything. Shesaidfleeingwasanormalresponse,andshewasgladthatAriyonandIhadfiguredoutawaytostaveoffthedarkness I

didn’ttellheraboutmyexpirationdate,though.ThatwasforYanric,myself,andthequeenalonetoknow.Avisevengaveme myjobbackwithmore hours ifIwanted,since Iwasn’tgoingtobe inschool anymore,andshe helpedme penmyapology lettertoBlair

NowIwasonmywaytoBlair’smansiontodropitoff,evenifonlytoassuagemyguiltaboutwhatI’ddonetoher.

‘She tried to kill you with her friends ’ Yanricdippedfromthetreeandsatonmyshoulder Ichuckled. ‘She did. But I’m better than her, so I’m going to do this right,’Itoldhim.

Yanric voiced his disagreement and thentold me to meet himat Ariyon’s after He was heading to pickup Eden from school.

Inodded.

ItookmytimegettingtoBlair’s,thinkingabouttheletterandwonderingifitwasgoodenoughtoexplainhowsorryIwas Lightingsomeone’shaironfirewasn’texactlysomethingIeverthoughtI’dhavetoapologizefor,butitwasanaccidentandout ofmycontrol SothiswasthebestIcoulddo Ipulledoffmyglovestoairoutmysweatyhandsandheldtheletterbetweenmy fingersasIstoppedbeforeBlair’shuge,lightbluemansion.

Takingadeepbreath,Iwalkedupthestepsandsettheletterrightinfrontofthedoor,ontheground ShouldIknockand run?Orjustleave?Eventuallytheywouldseeit,right?Ididn’twanttobeseen

“WhattheNightlingareYOUdoinghere?”Blair’svoicecamefrombehindme,andIyelpedasIspunaround.

Blairstoodbeforemewithherschoolbagdroppedtothegroundandafireballinbothofherpalms Herhairwascropped shortinacutepixiestylethatactuallysuitedher,butIknewshe’dbeenforcedintothatcutbecauseofwhatI’ddone.

“I Justleavinganapologyletter,”Isqueaked

Hergazewenttotheletteratthedoor,andthefiredisappearedfromherpalms.Thelettersoaredthroughtheairandlanded perfectlyinherpalm.

Shestaredatmeasshetoreopentheenvelope.Isuddenlyrememberedherfather,EthanCrawford,andhowhe’dfallenin lovewithSolanaandhadbeenbetrothedtoher how afterMarissacursedSolanawithbarenness,he’dleftherforsomeone elsesohecouldhavechildren Blair.

“Youdon’thavetoreaditnow,”Itoldher “Shutup,”shesnipped.

Iwasdebatingwhethertorunhomeornotwhenshebegantoread.SoIdecidedtojuststay.Maybethiswasbetter,maybe shewantedtochewmeouttomyface,andifthatwouldhelpherheal,thenI’dtakeit.

After she read the letter, her face had softened a bit. She let it fall to her backpackand thenstared me down, her gaze fallingonthebarehandsthatrestedatmysidesandthemarkthatsatatoponeofthem Hermouthpoppedopen.“Soit’strue?Ariyongaveyouhalfofhispower?”

Iswallowedhard

“Hemustreallyloveyou.”Shesaiditwithsomuchpaininhervoice,inthatmoment,Iknewshe’dlovedhimtoo. Ihuggedmyarms.“Listen,Blair…whatIdid…I’msosor ”

Shewavedmeoff “Idon’twanttotalkaboutthat,butifyou ever comeatmewiththosedarkpowersagain,I’ll drivea swordthroughyourheart.”

Whoa

Inodded,swallowinghard.Fairenough.Ididalmostburnheralive.“Allright.I’llseeyouaround.”

Imovedtoleavewhenshereachedoutandcaughtmycoveredupperarm Fearflushedthroughme,andIwastemptedto pullformypower,butIdidn’twanttoupsetherfurther.YetIwasn’tsureifIneededtodefendmyself.Iturnedtofaceherand foundanappraisinglookinhereyes.“Canyoukeepasecret,FallonBane?”

Iswallowedhard,onlyabletonod She’dswitchedgearsandIwastryingtokeepup

Shereleasedmeandswoopeddowntopickupherbagandtheletter.“Thencomeinside.ThereissomeoneIwantyouto meet”

Meetsomeone?Shejusttoldmeshe’dkillmeifIsummoneddarkpowersaroundher.Nowshewantedmetocomeinside herhome?

ButIwas curious bynature,andthere was nowayIwas leavingwithoutseeingwhoBlair Crawfordwouldwantme to meet.

THE INSIDE ofBlair’shomewasexactlyasIthoughtitwouldbe:richlydecorated,spotless,andfullofhouseholdstaffdoing everychore,fromlaundrytodustingtolandscaping.Blairfirststoppedinthekitchenandgrabbedanapple.“Wantasnack?” sheaskedmecasually,asifweweren’tswornenemies

Ishookmyhead,wonderingifBlairwasill.Maybeshewasheretolockmeinherbasementorpoisonme.Iwouldn’tput itpasthertohavesomelong,thought-outrevengeplot.Iwasstupidtoevencomehere.Shewasprobablytwosecondsfrom pinningmedownandshavingmy head

“Ishouldgo,actually…”IsaidasIslowlybackedoutofthekitchen.

“MymotheristheonewhomadetheoriginalprophesyabouttheupcomingNightlingwar,”Blairsaid,andthenbitintoher applewithasatisfyingcrunch.

Mymouthpoppedopenatherwords Hermother?TheoneQueenSolanaspokeof,whoshehadgonetoschoolwiththat couldglimpsethefuture?

Iwasspeechless.

Blairsteppedclosertome,herfacefallingalittle “Atfirst,everyonethoughtmymomwasthemostpowerfulfaeofher generation,thatshewastheretoglimpsethefutureandinformeveryoneoftheirfate.”

DarknesscastashadowoverBlair’sface,andIknewthisstorywouldnotendwell “Itturns outglimpsingthe future takes a toll.Lookingintothe future is dangerous for mymother.Witheachglimpse,she permanentlylosessomething hereyesight,health,mentalcapacities” Igasped.Ihadnoidea.“Oh,Blair,I’msosorry.”

She nodded. “Mymother was adopted, like you, found ina village outside Moonsreach. Theythinknow thatone ofher parentswasEaldorFaeandtheothermagicless That’swhereshegetsthegift,theEaldorFaeside” Istayedquiet.I’dneveroutEmmerictoBlair,nomatterhowvulnerableshewasbeing.

“ButitturnsoutwhenyoumixamagiclessandapowerfulEaldorFae,itdoesn’tworkoutflawlessly Themagictakesa toll,sucksthelifeoutofthepersonglimpsing.”

Mystomachsank.

Blairstaredatherappleasiflostinamemory.“Whenmyfather’sengagementtothequeendidn’tworkout,hechosethe next most powerful fae at The Academy. My mother.” Blair nodded as if to herself. “I don’t blame my father for being ambitious,buthe’snotgreatatstickingaroundwhenthingsgettough”

Shelookedupatme.“Doyouwanttomeether?Shehadavisionaboutyou,andshehasbeentalkingaboutyounonstopfor weeks”

Mymouthwentdry.Shewasalive?Iwasn’tsurewherethestorywasgoingtoend.Avisionaboutme?Thatthoughtscared me.Thelasttimesomeonehadavisionaboutmyfuture,theysawmedie.ButIwasn’tsureitcouldgetanyworsethanthat,so Inodded.

“Sure.I’dloveto,”Isaid,totallythrownforaloopatalloftheseevents.

Blairnodded “Shelivesintheguesthouseoutback Myfatherhidesherawayandsayssheisreclusive”

Myheartpinchedatthat.Herfathermadehiswifeliveseparatelyfromthem?

Ifollowedhertothebackdoor,whereshewavedtoabutler

“Goingtoseemymother,”shetoldhim,andhenoddedashedustedsomealready-cleansurface.

Whenwe stepped outside, Iwas blownawaybythe immaculate grounds and beautiful, light-pinkguesthouse witha teal frontdoor

“Mymomlikescolor.”Blairlookedatthehouseandsmiled.

“Hangonasecond,Blair,whyareyouactingso normalaroundme?Inthebeginningoftheschoolyear,youtriedtokill me,andIsetyourhaironfirenotthatlongago.You’reactinglikeitdoesn’tevenbotheryounow.Whatchanged?”

DidAriyontalktoher?

Shestoppedintheyardandsuckedinabigbreath,pickingathernails.“Whenyou…wentdarkanddisappeared,Ariyon beggedmymothertolookintowhereyouwere,ifyouwereokay,andhow hecouldfindyou.Hetoldheritwasessentialin winningthewaragainsttheNightlings,whichshehadprophesied”

Myheartsankintomychest.“No.”

Blairnodded “She’salwayshadasoftspotforAriyon Soshedidit Shegotweakerafterthat,butthat’snotthepoint” Shegavemeashylook.“Whenmymothertriedtofindwhereyouwere,shehadacompletelydifferentvisionaboutyouinthe future,andwell shesaidwewouldbefriends ish Imean,shesaidIwasgoingtohelpyou”

Whoa. Mymindwasspinning.BlairandI,friends?HermotherseemedtohavethesameabilityasEmmeric,butobviously ittookatollonhermagiclesshalf.

“I’dsayanythingispossible”IgaveBlairasmallsmile IwassogladYanricwasn’there,orhe’dpooponherheadfor evensuggestingitandthentrytopeckhereyesout.

“Listen,Ioweyouanapologytoo,”Blairsaid “IwasjealousofAriyon’sfascinationwithyou,andeverytimeIlookedat you,Ijustsawyourmotherandallofthehorriblethingsshedidtoourpeopleyearsago.”

Ibreathedasighofreliefattheheartfeltapology.“Thanksforthat.” Blairnodded.“Imean,wearen’tgoingtobebestiesoranything,butI’llhelpyouifIcan.” Ismirked.“Fairenough.”

Helpwithwhat,Ihadnoidea,butIhopedIwasabouttofindoutbecausenotalotwasmakingsenserightnow.

Wecrossedtherestofthespacetotheteal-painteddoor,andBlairturnedtome.“She’s…eccentric.Someofhermindhas beenlosttotheglimpsing Shecan’tseeatallandthehearinginherrightearisgone,soyouhavetoshout Butshemakesthe bestpralinepieinalloftheEastSide,andshe’sthesweetestwomanIknow.”Therewasathreatinhervoice,likeifIwere abouttomakefunofhermother,she’dstrangleme

Ismiledatthewayshespokeofhermother,thoughmyheartwassaddenedtohearthatglimpsingthefuturehadharmedher.

“Well,ifshehasanypieinthererightnow,it’sgoingtogeteaten,”Iassuredher

Thedooropenedsuddenlytorevealastunninglybeautifulblondwomanwearingabrightpinkdress.Herhairhungintwo loose,messybraids,andshesmiledatBlair.“Ihearmydarlingdaughter,butwhoisthisnewvoice?”Shereachedformewith herbarehandsasiftofeelmyface,andIleaptbackward

Blair intervened,graspingher mother’s fingers andcurlingthemintoaball.“Mother,I’vebrought…FallonBanetomeet you”

Thegrinthewomanworegotevenwiderandshejumpedupanddown,laughing,andthenspunintoacircle.“She’shere!” Blairsmiledathermom,andIcouldn’thelpbutmatchherjoy Thecarefree,childlikehappinesswascontagious Iquickly tookamomenttoputonmyglovessoIcouldavoidanyaccidents.

“Oh,comein,Fallon!”hermothersaidexcitedly.“I’mLorraine,andI’vebeingwaitingtomeetyou.”

“Hi,Lorraine”Isteppedintoherhouseandsurveyedthespace Itwasneatandtidyandfullofcolor Paleyellowwalls, turquoisefurniture,andfloralwallpaper.

“She’slookingaroundatyourplace,”Blairsaid,narratingwhatIwasdoing,andIrealizeditmighthavebeenrudeforme tojustremainsilentandstareatherthings.ButLorrainewassmilinghugelyanddidn’tseemtomind.

“BeforeIlostmysight,Iwasinlovewithcolorandpatternsandartwork.IfigurednowthatI’mblind,thereisnoreason tolivewithwhitewalls.Nowmyguestscanenjoythecolors.”

“It’slovelyandbringsoutveryhappyfeelings,”Itoldher.

“Isittrueyoucannotbetouchedoritwilltriggeryourcurse?”Lorraineasked Inodded,thenrealizedshecouldn’tseetheaction.“Yes,”Isaidloudly.

“Evenyourhair?IaskedBlairifyourhaircouldbetouched”

WasthatwhyBlairhadgrabbedmybunthatday?Maybeitwasinnocent,andshehadn’tknownitwouldhurtme. “Evenmyhair.”

“Fascinating,”Lorrainebreathed,hereyeswide.“I’venevermetacursedpersonbefore.” Blairclearedherthroatuncomfortably,butIgaveherareassuringsmile.

Icouldseetheeccentricsideofhermother Focusingonthedetailsofmycurserightaftermeetingmemightbeconsidered rude,butIcouldtellshewasn’tmalicious.Shehadaninquisitivemind.

“Oh,Fallon,Ihavesomanythingstotellandshowyou Idon’tknowwheretostart ”Lorraine’sfacesuddenlyfell “I’llhelpyou,Mother.”Blairsteppedforwardandreachedforhermother’sfingers,interlockingthem.

Lorrainenoddedatthat,seemingtofindsomecomposure.“Let’sgotomyoffice.”

IfollowedBlairandLorrainedownalime-greenhallwayandintoalargeofficewithwall-to-wallbooksandadeskthat satinthemiddle.

“Isshelookingatthebooks?”LorraineaskedBlair “Sheis,”Blairtoldhermother.

Lorraine smiled as she satather deskand beganto rifle throughher papers “Youare no doubtwonderingwhata blind ladyneedsbooksfor,butmysweetBlairreadstomeeveryday.Igettolazeaboutandlistentoherbeautifulvoice.”

MyheartpinchedatthewayLorrainespokeofherdaughter.Itwasamother-daughterrelationshipIenviedandithadme wonderinghowBlairhadturnedintosuchabully ButevenasIthoughtit,Iknewitwasfromhavinganeccentricmotherwho dependedonher helpwithdailytasks anda father whohidher mother inthe backyard,awayfromsociety.Thatmighthave beentoomuchpressureforBlair,andsheletoffsteambypickingonotherpeople Stilldidn’tmakeitright,butIcouldseeher lifewasn’tperfect.

“ShouldItalkaboutthewarfirstortheportal?OrmaybeIshouldjustletherreadthejournalentry,ohIneedtotellher aboutthedagger ”

Blairplacedahandonhermother’sbackandrubbedsmallcirclesasshesatnexttoher.

Lorrainereleasedashakybreathandsmiledinherdaughter’sgeneraldirection “Whydon’tyoustartwiththedagger?Thatseemedthemostimportant,”Blairtoldhermother. Iwassolost Portal?Dagger?ButIwastryingtobepatient “Yes.” Lorraine laid her hands flatonthe deskand chewed onher bottomlip, closingher eyes. “Icanstill see it.” She smiled.“Blackmetal,withnoshine,like itis made fromdarkness itself.AShadow Blade.” The smile was wipedfromher mouth,andIsharedalookofconfusionwithBlair.

Blair grabbed a sketchfromthe deskand handed itto me. “Itried to draw whatshe described.” The sketchlooked like

whatLorrainewasdetailing.ThehandlewasornateblackscrollworkandthebladeassoliddarkasYanric’sfeathers.

“WhatisthisShadowBlade?”IaskedLorraine,tryingtogethertofocusononething.

Thewomannodded “Youwillwieldit YouwillholditgloriouslyinbattleanddefeatalloftheNightlings,renderingthem nonexistent.”

Chillsracedalongmyarms,andIswallowedhard Blairwiggledinherseat.“Tellhereverything,Mother.TellherwhatitcoststowieldtheShadowBlade.”

Lorraine’sfacefellandshereachedforme Icaughtherfingerswithmyownglovedonesandsqueezed Ifhervisionwas thesameasEmmeric’s,thenIalreadyknewthecost.

“Yourlifeisrequiredtowieldtheblade,Fallon.”

Thereitwas UndeniableproofthatIwasgoingtodie Twopowerful faehadglimpsedthefuture,andbothhadseenmy demise.Yes,I’dcometotermswithit,buthearingsomeoneelsesayitwaslikerippingthescaboffahealingwound. “Iknow”wasallIsaid “Andthat’sokay”

BlairlookedshockedathoweasilyI’dacceptedmyowndeath,butIstillwouldnotsharetheknowledgeofEmmeric’sgift withothers

“TellmewhereIcanfindtheblade.Howdoesitwork?Tellmeeverythingyousaw,”Iaskedher.

Lorraine dropped my hand and began to trace her fingers along her desk as if drawing something. “The blade attracts shadowsouls ItwilldrawtheNightlingstoit,likemothstoaflame,trappingtheminside,butonlyafteryouactivateit,”she said.

Whoa Suckinghundreds,eventhousands,ofNightlingsoulsintoabladesoundedlikeaterrifyingnightmare “HowdoIactivateit?”Iasked.

Lorrainefrowned.Gettingupabruptlyfromher chair andwalkingover toacorner oftheroom,shebentdown,asifshe werelookingatsomethingonthefloor.

Blairgavemeanembarrassedsmile.“Mother,howdidsheactivatethebladeinthevision?”

Lorrainelookedoveratus “Oh,shejustpickeditup”Shemadeamotionlikeshewaspickingupabladefromtheground andhelditinherhand.

Irealizedthenthatshewasreenactinghervision,whichprobablyhelpedherexplainitbetter “Pickingitupdoesn’tsoundsohard,”Isaid,smiling.

Lorrainenodded.“Butthepowerofthebladecomesfromyou,fromyourundyingflame.Thepricepaidisyourlife.You… feedthebladeyourenergy,allofit,andit…eatsthesoulsoftheNightlingsalloverthecity,savingeveryone.”

Thewords“feeding”and“eating”inrelationtoadagger weregivingmethecreeps,butiftherewasonesingleweapon thatcoulderadicatealloftheNightlingsinthevicinity,Iwantedit

Blair frowned. “Mother she has one of Ariyon’s Maven marks right now, to keep her fromgoing dark. How will that work?”

MystomachsankbeforeLorraineevenansweredbecauseIknewwhatherresponsewouldbe.

“She mustgive Ariyonbackhis power and take all ofher darkness backinto her. The blade requires everylastdrop of Fallon’sUndyingFlametowork”Sheconfirmedmyworstfear takingonthedarknessagain butitalsomeantthatAriyon wouldsoonbegivenbackwhatbelongedtohim,andthatmademefeelgood.

“WheredoIfindit?”Iasked,hangingonhereveryword

Shefrowned,lookinginBlair’sdirection.

“That’swherethingsgotmuddled Mymothercan’tstayinavisionfortoolongbefore becomingill Shesaidwewere allataschooleventofsomekindbutnothereinTheGildedCity.Therewerecanoes,afirepit.Wescaledamountain,Ariyon, Eden,Ayden,Hayes,you,andI.Andsomeotherboyshedidn’trecognizewhohadtattoos.Weallworkedtogetherandfound theblade,butwehadtobesecretaboutit,almostlikewewerestealingit”

Myeyesfeltliketheyweregoingtofalloutofmyhead.Thatwasalotofinformation.Aschooleventbutnot?“Canoes?”I asked Blairshrugged.“Sometimeshervisionsdon’tmakesense…untiltheydo.”

Okay,fairenough “Anythingelse?”Iasked

Lorrainewashummingsoftlytoherselfnow.

“Does the Shadow Blade also help me defeatMarissa?” Iwasn’teventechnicallysure ifMarissa was still a Nightling afterdrinkingfromme

Lorrainestoppedhumming.“Youdon’tdefeatMarissa.”

Itfeltliketheairwhooshedoutofme “Whatdoyoumean?Isaveeveryone IwinthewarbytakingoutalltheNightlings, right?”

Lorrainenodded.“Yes,butyoudon’tkillMarissa.Someoneelsedoes.Inanefforttoprotectyou.”

Thechillsreturned.“Who?Ariyon?QueenSolana?Dotheygethurt?”

Lorrainetappedherforeheadwithanindexfinger,harderandhardereachtime.“It’sblurry!”

Blair leaptoffthedeskandrantoher mother,wrappingher mom’sfingersinher owntokeepher momfromtappingtoo hard.“Okay,Mother.That’sokay.Someoneelsedoes.”

Lorrainerelaxedandrepeated,“Someoneelsedoes” Ididn’twanttohearanymore,butalso…Idid.Ineededtoheareverything.Iwasoverwhelmedyetyearningformore.“You saidtherewassomethingaboutaportal?”

“Theportal!”Lorraineshouted,andBlairjumpedbesideher.“Oh,that’s very important.Therewillbemanyattacks,with one happeningunexpectedlyonthe WestSide Youmake the portal,” she said as she drew a large wheel inthe air withher hands,“andgeteveryonesafelyinsideBaneManor.”

Igasped.“Imake aportal?”

Lorrainecockedherheadtotheside “Youdon’tknowhowtoyet?”

Blairlookedatmewithcuriositythen.Aportal?EdenhadsuspectedIwascapableofitaftertakingAriyon’sbodydown totheRealmofEternity,butIwasn’tsosure

“BaneManor?”WhyinthefaewouldIportal everyonetoBaneManor?IquestionedLorraine’s sanityalittlebitatthis point,butsomeofthethingsshewassayinglinedupwithwhatEmmerichadsaid,soIknewtheymustbetrue SheknewIwas goingtodietosaveeveryone.

Lorraine justnodded.“Itmustmake sense later.Idon’tknow all the details.” She tappedher headhardagain,andBlair tookhermother’shandsanddroppedthemtoherwaist “Ifthat’sall,Mother,maybeyouwouldliketogetsomerest?” Hermomnoddedrapidly.“Theportal,theShadowBlade,herdeath,savingthepeople.Yes,yes,that’sall.”

ThanktheLightbecauseIwasn’tsurehowmuchmoreIcouldtake LorrainereacheduptocupBlair’sface “Youneedto speaktoyourfatheraboutgettingFallonbackinschool.Youcan’tfindtheShadowBladeunlessshegoeswithyoutotheplace withthecanoes.”

Blair pursedher lips,likespeakingtoher father aboutgettingmebackinschool wasthelastthingshewantedtodo.I’d literallyjustspokentothequeenaboutit,andshe’dsaiditwasn’tpossible.Still…maybeifBlair’sdadforgaveme.

Iwouldn’tmindeatinglunchunderthetreeswithEdenagain

“Yes,Mother,”Blairtoldher,andkissedthetopofherhandbeforewalkingheroutoftheroom.Ashermotherpassedme, shereachedforme,andIhadtoducktoavoidhertouchingmyface

“Careful,Mother.Rememberhercurse?”Blairsaid,andLorrainepulledherhandback.

“Ohyes,I’msorry,Fallon.”

Irealized thattouchingwas her wayofcommunicating, so Ireached for her hands withmygloved ones. Whenshe felt them,shesqueezedtightlyandsmiled.“Itwassuchanhonortomeetyou,Fallon.Thisgifthastakensomuchfromme,butto knowthatmyglimpsingmighthelpyousaveeveryoneinTheGildedCity itmakesitallworthit”

Myheartpinchedatthat.Itwasadeeplyprofoundandselflessthingtosay.

“Thehonor wasmine”Isqueezedher handsagainandthenBlair ledher downthehall toher room,seeminglytogolie down.

Whenshereturned,IwaslookingatthedrawingoftheShadowBlade.

“Whodoyouthinkmadeit?”Iasked

Blairshrugged.“Itriedtoresearchitthenightmymomfirsthadthevision,butthere’snothingonit.I’mnotgoodatbook studyingthough Edencouldprobablyfindsomething”

Sheprobablycould.“ArewetellingEden?”Iasked.IneededtolaysomegroundruleswithBlair,andI’msureshedidn’t wantmetellingothersabouthermom

Blairblewairthroughherteeth.“Idon’tmindtellingHayes,Ariyon,Ayden,andEden,sincetheywereinthevisionofthe ShadowBlade,andAriyonalreadyknowsaboutmymom.”

Inodded “CanIbegyounottotellanyonethatI’mgoingtodieintheNightlingwar?”

Blairgrinned.“Yes,youcanbegme.Iwouldlovetoseethat.”

Ireachedoutplayfullyandsmackedherarm,andshelaughed Thenherfacewentserious “That’saheavysecretandnot myplace toshare.Youhave mywordIwon’ttell anyone.Ariyondoesn’tknow anyofthis.Mymother simplytoldhimshe couldn’tseewhereyouwereatthetimeorhowtobringyouhome,onlythatyoumadeitbacktoTheGildedCityeventually” Iwasn’tsurehowmuchIcouldtrustBlairjustyet,butInodded.

“AndIwon’ttellanyoneaboutyourmother.She’sveryspecialandIseehowhergiftscouldbeexploited.” Blairrelaxedalittleatmywords Shemusthavefeltlikeshehadtoprotecthermotheralot Sherubbedherarms “Well, mydadwillbehomesoon.”

“Right Ishouldgo Thiswas overwhelmingbutgoodinformation,”IsaidasIheldupthedrawingoftheShadowBlade Blair chuckled.“Youshouldhaveseenmyfacewhenmymother firsttoldmeandthensaidIneededtohelpyoufindthe blade.Idiedalittleinsideatthethought.”

Igrinned.Thatwas theBlair Iknew.Iheadedfor thehallwayandBlair walkedmeoutside,across thelargegardenand thentothefrontofthehousewherethisallbegan.

“Seeyouaround,Iguess.”Iwavedather. Shenodded.“I’lltalktomydad.Hewon’tbehappyaboutit,butI’lltrytogetyoubackintoTheAcademy.” Ifrowned,thinkingofHayes’sdad “Hewon’thurtyou,right?” Blair’seyebugged.“Mydad?Light,no!He’s anunemotional pricksometimes,buthe’dnever hitme.Hejusthates your motherandtheentireBanefamily” Whichmeantmeaswell.Fairenough. Igrabbedmychestinrelief “Good Sorry Longstory”WhichIwouldnevertell thatsecretwasnotminetotell Withthat,IheadedforAriyon’s,mymindswirlingwithahundreddifferentthings.