“We’re not getting any warmer despite the fire. And look, Talon isn’t wet. It’s an illusion.”

Slow realization dawns over Bram’s expression. “Based on our fears.”

A band tightens around my throat. I think of Avalina’s comment about Latham dabbling in dark magic … bone potions that induce panic if swallowed.

Tessa squeezes Talon’s hand. “Is that true? Are you afraid of water?”

“I almost drowned asa child,” he says. His eyes are haunted.

“I’m sorry,” Jacey says, her voice small. “If I had any idea what the potion would do, I never would have …”

“Don’t.” I lay a palm on her forearm. “It’s not your fault. There was no other way.”

Niklas groans. “So what do we do now? How are we supposed to get through that tunnel if we can’t even make it inside?”

“I’m guessing it’s like the other challenges and we have to find a way to work together,” I say, eyeing the flames.

“But how?” he asks.

“The only way out is through,” Tessa says, though her voice sounds uncertain.

“Then let’s go through,” I say.

The six of us join hands in one long chain and march toward the flames. Suddenly I’m worried I was wrong—that the fire isn’t just an illusion, that it will scald us the moment we make contact. I hope I’m not leading my teammates to our death. But as we get closer, it doesn’t get warmer. Bram’s hand trembles in mine.

We step through the blaze into a nightmare. I fight through a wall of smoke so thick, I can scarcely breathe. Panic claws inside me. My parents are somewhere close by. I can feel them. I try to call out, but smoke fills my lungs and I erupt in a coughing fit instead. My eyes sting. And then strong arms close around me. Someone pulling me toward safety. But I don’t want to leave without my parents. The fresh air that rushes at me brings relief, but also shame. Flames lick up the side of a cottage. I left them there. A drumbeat grows inside me. My fault. My fault. My fault.

A hand tightens around mine, but when I look, there’s no one there.

And then I remember. Bram. This is his nightmare, and he needs my help to survive it. I try to open my mouth, but the illusion is too strong. Too real. I force myself to try again—he needs my help.

I squeeze his hand. “You’re safe. It’s not real, Bram. You’re safe.”

Abruptly, the vision dissipates. The six of us stand hand in hand at the edge of the cavern. Despite the cold temperature, Bram’s face is covered in sweat. He’s shaking. The rest of us are too.

“What was that?” Talon asks.

“Bram’s parents died in a fire,” I say quietly. “He was very young.”