I grab for the coin, rubbing my finger against the metal, but the blood has worn off. Scramble for the safety pin in my tunic. I flip it open and press the point against my thumb. “What are you doing?” William grabs at my arm, but it’s too late.

“Blood offering,” Alice explains, pulling him back.

“By my blood…,” I murmur—and the world instantly turns to black, like a curtain has closed all around me. Come on. Come on.

I stand atop the mossy stone.

“Arthur!” I call, and hope he responds.

A minute later, I hear Arthur’s voice. Grating and irritated. ‘You will not summon me like a pet on a leash to bring you to my knight’s descendant.’

My eyes snap open. The world returns around me. Alice is holding me upright, asking me what’s wrong.

“Did you see him?” Sel pants, hand on one knee.

“Arthur wouldn’t let me,” I whisper. “He… he refused to channel me to his memories.”

I’ve never felt so helpless. Thinking of Nick being in mortal danger is hard enough; watching Sel feel it and not be able to do anything is even worse.

“Well, we knew he was… an asshole.” Sel takes deep breaths. “The sensation is passing, which means Nick has gotten to safety.”

“We should…,” I begin. “Do something, we should—”

“No,” Sel grunts. “He’s alive. He’s safe. Whatever it was has passed. We’re not going anywhere. The decision’s been made.”

I wrap my arms around my middle. “No, I’m going to call Arthur again, give it a few minutes. Just to be sure.”

“I am certain, Briana!” Sel barks. “These blood walks leave you unable to walk or run. We can’t risk that right now.”

His words feel like a slap and a defense at once. “Can we at least call Gill?”

“Can’t.” He shakes his head hard. “I crushed the phone and tossed it about ten miles back.”

“What? Why?” I shout.

He looks up at me, jaw set. “You’re either untraceable, or you’re not.” Finally, he stands. “I can feel when Nick’s life is in danger, but I can see when yours is. The decision has been made. If I tell you to run, to leave. Do it.”

I throw up my hands. “Fine.”

He steps closer until he is all that I can see. “Swear it.”

His eyes bore into mine, searching for my usual defiance. My mouth presses into a hard line, because I recognize the look on his face. Arguing won’t work… and I know he’s right.

They demanded I go underground and stop searching for Nick, and I accepted it against everything I am, but it was an acceptance nonetheless. Knowing when he’s in danger—and knowing we can’t go to him, or even try to, is part of that decision.

“I swear to run, if you say run.”