He shakes his head. “No, but most likely with the same group. They were probably in the area and felt the rush of magic when it broke. I bet the barrier’s already back up now, but your power is stronger than anyone else’s. If you win, we can work on growing it. You can break the barrier again when we need it.”

“And how long is that going to take?” I snap. “I can’t—” I cut myself off. I can’t condemn innocent people while we figure it out. I can’t be like him.

He looks away. Even though I don’t say the words out loud, they still bite. “We need you to win first, and then we’ll figure it out. But we have to go back. We can’t get caught here.”

I bite my lip, and without another word, I turn and move down the trail, the occasional sliding of stones behind me telling me that Roman follows. As I walk, I take in every face. I draw the images of their suffering on my skin with promises to free them. Promises I can keep only if I stay and fight.

The fear I felt going across the bridge the first time is no longer there. I am empty, weightless enough to float on the surface of the water. I leap across the boards without hesitation.

Once we’re through the woods and back into the real garden with flowers not watered in blood, the sweet smell of them is almost too much. I can’t shake the scent of blood still lingering on my skin.

Roman turns to me as we go back through the ivy-covered door.

“Will you fight tomorrow?”

Fight. Not compete. This goes beyond competition, and I’m the only one who knows.

I say nothing. The cost of winning may be more than losing.

He nods his head, accepting my nonanswer, and walks away.

I drag myself, wet and tired, through my bedroom door.

Xander raises his head as I do, his face unreadable. Seeing him there, his green hair contrasting with my black bedding, sends fury racing through my blood, heating it almost as swiftly as the magic. It’s just as deadly, too. My fingers clench around invisible knives.

“Get out.” I try to make my voice cold enough to freeze his blood—so cold that Aristelle won’t be able to unthaw him—but I’m too hot. My words hiss out like steam.

“Ava.”

“Don’t you dare say my name.” It has no place on his lying lips.

His mouth forms around the A again, and I swear I will pull my knife and cut it from his tongue before I have to hear it.