The color drained from the other woman’s face. She charged toward Nola, then. Too late. Nola had already smeared Bane’s blood on her hands. She closed her eyes and retreated into her head, fixating on the moments before the Blood Rite.

The foundation beneath her feet vanished. Light-headed. Dizzy. Traveling back in time...

When a new foundation appeared, she fluttered open her lids. There he was. Bane. Nola raced to him and threw her arms around him, sobbing, “You’re alive!”

“Of course I am.” He enfolded her with his muscular arms, and she realized she was tangible. That Future Nola had merged with Past Nola. Meaning, they’d been mistaken about the nuts and bolts of the ability.

This? She liked better. It was the equivalent of pressing a redo button.

Zion stood off to the side, watching the proceedings. Which meant Bane hadn’t instructed him to turn his back yet.

Should she have gone back further? Probably. But this was a first attempt, and she was learning as she went. Besides, she’d been tired, weak and injured.

“What’s wrong, love?” Bane asked.

“Aveline came,” she rushed out. “You weren’t able to land a blow. She was able to get you to your knees and drain you with her death touch, so I murdered you with a fiery dagger, just like Zion’s vision. I’m sorry! But I used your death to time travel and reset. I’m sorry,” she repeated. “Zion, she commanded you to remain motionless, and you were helpless to obey.”

Both males absorbed the news, looking like they could barely contain their dismay and fury.

“I’m sorry you had to go through that,” Bane said, caressing Nola’s cheek.

“Don’t be sorry,” she replied, aching for him. “You’re the one who died in agony by my hand.”

“Let us blame the one who is truly responsible. Aveline.”

“Agreed.” Though she wanted to hold on to him forever, she let go. “We don’t have much time. I didn’t go back very far.” And now Nola was in her pre-Blood Rite body. They had to do the ceremony again. The pain...

Minimal in the big scheme of things.

“This time, we have an advantage,” he said. “Get in the circle.”

He performed the ceremony again, every motion and word the same. Only, they both demonstrated more stress and strain. No matter. They remained aware and ready for Aveline’s arrival.

Must win this time. Must win. Instinct said, You can’t go back to the same moment twice.

Nola arose from the ashes, more determined than ever. They wasted no time with chatter. She donned the dress and palmed two daggers. He helped her.

“I need you to stand over there with Zion,” she said, pointing to the far wall. “Trust me to do this, Bane. Please. I will be the hand of your vengeance, I swear it.”