Serina’s whole body went cold. She had never been so grateful to be separated from her sister than she was at this moment. With any luck, Nomi and Malachi were on their way here already, along with Malachi’s army. Asa would be surprised when they arrived. Serina almost smiled, imagining it.

“As I was saying,” Asa continued, a little louder, “My father did not fully understand the dangers posed by defiant women. I am not so disillusioned.” His gaze passed over Serina again and paused. “Which is why you will not be moved to another prison. You will all be executed.”

A collective gasp rose. Serina’s jaw dropped open. Should she be so surprised? Nomi had warned her.

“One by one,” he said. “Every morning, beginning tomorrow. We’ll draw it out. You, my flowers, will be my examples. A new Superior needs a show of force. You will be mine.”

Silent tears burned Serina’s cheeks. She had brought them to this.

“Who’s your leader?” Asa asked. “Do you have one?”

Serina swallowed. At least she could take responsibility. She raised her chin. His eyes met hers.

Someone knocked her out of the way.

“These are my women, and I will die before you hurt them.” Ember stood nose-to-nose with Asa, her every muscle tense with rage.

“Ember, no!” Serina cried, shock draining every useful thought from her brain. With her bound hands, Ember pushed her farther back into the crowd, without breaking contact with Asa’s sinister glare.

“Oh, you will die,” Asa said. He grabbed Ember’s chin, and for a moment, Serina thought Ember was going to slam her head into his and make him kill her now. “Tomorrow morning.”

He tried to push her away from him, but she didn’t flinch or falter. It was a crack in his authority, a slight misstep. For a split second, Ember had the power. Then he snapped a finger and one of his soldiers shoved her into the room.

Serina and Anika used their shackled arms to hold her up. They wouldn’t let Ember fall.

I have to fix this. It should be me, Serina thought, but Asa was already closing the door.

Tomorrow. I’ll make him take me. Not Ember.

The door stopped creaking. Asa lingered, his gaze caught on someone behind Serina. “Maris, dear,” he said. “You look well, considering.”

Serina spun around. Maris and Helena stood behind her, their hands twined together.

“That’s… interesting. I think I’d like you for a Grace after all,” Asa said. “I suppose your execution will have to wait. Aren’t you grateful?”

Mutely, Maris shook her head. Helena pressed closer to her.

Asa snapped his fingers again.