The stream of blood swirling around our arms flickers gold and tightens its coil like a snake.

“Ah!” Taavi winces.

The gold snaps, dissolving into dust. We untangle our arms and Bri tucks the book away. But I gesture for her to give it to me.

“Is it done?” Taavi asks, rubbing her arm, which is now covered in cuts where the blood coil touched.

“It is,” I say, rubbing my arm. There are no scrapes on my arm or scratches on my metal.

“It only scars the person held by the oath,” Zora says.

Ah. Okay.

“Good,” Taavi says. “So we’re on the same page now. Make the Chancellor answer for all the ill he’s done.”

Oh, he’s going to more than answer. “Something like that,” I say. “I’m going to go over the plan with everyone. Then you’ll take me back down so I can deposit the protection spell.”

“Thank you.” Taavi smooths something from under her eye. “Really, thank you so much, Rue.” She gestures for her people to form up, and a hundred bodies, maybe more, shuffle to their feet. I review the route we’re going to take. The truth of this world, how hidden it was, shudders through me. Every time I went to Totsi’s, sitting there reading for hours, helping Totsi put away her books at the end of a long day… and there was this entire world down below. So many haven’t even seen the outside.

“We’ll leave at dark. The cover of night can only help.”

Heads nod.

“Bri, get your gadgets to scan for magic ready. Zora, you will follow behind. I want our eyes on either end.”

“Good plan, Jelani,” Zora says.

“You feel better now, Z?” I ask in a whisper to her.

“Yes, much. If she breaks her word, she’ll reap death upon herself. And it’s Zora.”

“I like Z.”

“But it’s Zora.”

“What is it with y’all not liking me shortening your names?” I nudge her shoulder playfully.

She smirks. “A name is important. Every letter is intentional, has meaning, a piece that makes up the whole. Saying it fully is a way to show respect.”

“Aah, okay, I feel you. Understood.” I gesture at the crowd. “Keep an eye on things. I’ll be down there to deposit the spell. If it takes more than fifteen minutes, come after me. Alone.”

“Still don’t fully trust them, huh?”

The Seer’s words echo in my head. “I trust no one.”

“Wise, Jelani.”

It’s a lie. There is one. If I can trust no one else, I know I can trust him. And having him by my side here is long overdue. With the Seer’s prophecy, I need someone next to me I know beyond a doubt has my back. I flick up on my watch and my fingers are lightning fast.

Me: Gimme about fifteen. I’m coming to get you.