We were all so distracted by Mr. Wolfe’s attack that we forgot about Anna.

I glanced to where the shade of myself continued to stand by the bloody armor. I saw the gleam of gold at Anna’s breast, the jewel she wore about her neck.

I was the key to ending this dream. My stone heart was the weakness, the break. It had to be broken, and as soon as I realized this, Anna began to retreat from the hall.

I pursued her.

I didn’t realize Phelan was chasing after me until I was about to slip out the side door Anna had vanished through. I felt his magic encircle me, slowing me down.

“Wait,” he panted, reaching my side. His magic loosened, and I spun to look up at him. “Let me come with you. Let me guard your back.”

I entertained the temptation, because the more I realized I would have to give my phantom a mortal wound, the stronger my reservations grew. But when I looked at Phelan . . . I knew he would struggle in wounding this reflection of me as well.

“Help Nura and Olivette to their chamber and lock the door,” I said. “Quickly, before Mr. Wolfe reaches them. I will meet you there after I bring this to an end.”

My words struck a chord between us.

We glanced at the dais, where the duke’s throne had appeared, illumined by a stream of moonlight. Emrys stood beside the regal chair, an observer as the night unfolded. His face was like marble, unreadable, but he was watching Phelan and me, watching Nura, Olivette, and Mr. Wolfe. Watching and waiting to see if this dream would break.

I slipped from the hall; Phelan didn’t follow me this time.

The corridors were cold and dark, punctured by the flickering light of sconces. I followed the trail Anna left for me, sounds of her boots on the stone floors, a flicker of movement as she rounded corner after corner. She was leading me deeper into the fortress, down to the very heart of the mountain. In my dream, I had felt lost. And that sensation welled within me once more.

I must have chased her for an hour, through every vein of the fortress.

I walked through the dark kitchen, through dusty storerooms, through the armory, where swords and crossbows and shields hung on the wall, glinting in the dim light. Through a library with endless shelves of musty books. Through rooms and suites long abandoned.

I stopped in the main corridor, thinking she was about to bring me back into the hall. I stood ragged, bewildered. Surrender was softening me until she appeared at the end of the passage, waiting for me to follow.

I no longer ran. I walked, which gave me the chance to draw my dagger from my boot. I slid the steel free from its leather sheath and held it in my hand, following Anna into a spacious suite.