The thought that the Resistance was responsible for such pain and cruelty was enough to set my blood boiling again. Burning down this compound wasn’t enough. I wanted the perpetrators to burn for eternity.

Rein it in, I warned myself as sparks of magic began to sizzle in the air around me. My power was close to the surface, ready to be unleashed at the slightest provocation, and I couldn’t afford to let that happen. I was in the spotlight now more than ever. Even though I knew Iannis would not allow anyone to harm or threaten me, neither of us needed the hassle that would ensue if I were perceived to be a danger to society.

The other mages and I finished placing the stones, then returned to the entrance of the compound. Iannis and Lord Logar had their heads bent together, discussing something, while the other mages were stationed at various points around the perimeter, clearly on standby.

“We’ve finished, Lord Logar,” Gillen, one of the mages who’d gone with me, said. “The stones have all been activated.”

“Excellent,” Lord Logar said. “Go and take your positions.”

The three mages rushed off, and I looked to Iannis. “Where am I supposed to go?”

“Stay back there with the others and observe,” Iannis told me. “The rest of the spell is too complicated for an apprentice to participate in. Besides, you should be able to use your sharp sight and excellent hearing to learn even at a distance,” he added mentally.

“All right.” I retreated to where the others were standing, folding my arms across my chest. The sun was halfway up the sky by now, shining bright rays over the green landscape as if it hadn’t gotten the memo that this was a day of destruction, not cheer.

“I’m not sure if I’m excited or terrified,” Annia murmured in my ear. “I mean, I want the compound wiped from the face of Recca, and I’m sure this kind of spell is rare to witness. But what if we get caught up in the backlash?”

“Lord Iannis and Lord Logar are very experienced mages,” Fenris said. The wistful expression that briefly flickered in his dark eyes suggested that he longed to be out there with the other mages, casting this powerful spell that was so rarely used. “And like most people, they also have a strong sense of self-preservation. They would not cast this spell if they feared they would lose their lives in the process, or endanger us here.”

“Of course not.” Noria huffed, wrinkling her nose. “After all, sacrificing themselves for the common good would hardly be in character for them, now would it?”

“The stones they set will ensure the spell is contained,” Fenris said loudly before anyone could respond to Noria’s jab. “The magic will only affect what is within the boundary.”