William and Sel stand together, talking tactics. “… Nothing shameful about waiting it out,” William says.

“They know she’s here. They will wait as long as they need to,” Sel replies, eyes dark.

“But the barrier…” Alice points.

“It’ll never come down for their magic, but that doesn’t mean we’re safe,” Mariah says with a scowl. “Means we just went from being protected to being trapped.”

Sel flexes his fingers. “I could make a run for it, get them to follow. Put up a good fight. Long enough for you three to get to a car.”

“No,” I say. “We’re not splitting up.”

He hums instead of fighting me, which is how I know things have changed between us. We watch the Mageguard in black on the other side, faces hidden by their dark hoods. A few of them have shifted positions and now walk alongside it. Their hands curl against the barrier as they go, as if prodding the surface, searching for an opening. “I’ve studied that barrier, too. They’re trying to call its aether to them. Manipulate it into an opening.” He shakes his head. “It won’t work.”

“Then what are they doing?” Alice points to a group of three Merlins circling down where Sel and I have just passed through.

He growls. “Tracking us. We were just outside and they’ve found Bree’s scent. If there had been any doubt that the Crown Scion is here, it’s gone now.”

We watch in silent horror as a caravan of SUVs drives down the road, stopping at the edge of Volition’s barrier. Several more Mageguard file out in black gear, hoods back. I don’t know whether I want to see Lark or not, whether him being there but on our side would help us or hurt him. But when he does not appear among the other guards, a lump of worry takes shape where Lark should be. Did they find him out? Did Cestra realize there were Merlins loyal to the Crown Scion in her midst?

I don’t have time to fear for Lark, because the final car slows and Erebus Varelian emerges. Dressed in black slacks and a dark gray overcoat, silver grommets winking in the first rays of sunlight, made gold through the barrier. My fists flex at my sides.

Erebus Varelian has come to Volition, and I will drive him out.

Then, in a terrifying moment, Erebus calls out directly to me. “I am sorry for the delay, Briana,” he says loudly. “The car you and Selwyn left behind at the Rheon cabin had unregistered plates, but a working GPS. Eventually, we discovered a very perturbed, vengeful waitress who let on that she knew where the illustrious Valechaz may have taken you. Miranda, I think her name was?”

“That thief?” Alice’s face darkens with memory and fresh ire both. “Oh, Valec is going to kill her….”