The terror would be bad enough, but giving my teammates a glimpse into the dark recesses of my mind—to have all my protective layers peeled away until I’m laid bare—is even more frightening. What would they think of me if they knew I was using unbound magic? Would they see me differently if they knew how often I fantasize about making Latham suffer?

I move slowly, keeping my arms tucked at my sides, watching every step. A variety of smaller illusions jump out at us as we brush past the bones—a group of peers mock us from the sidelines, calling us cowards and laughing at our failures. The floor in front of us seems to vanish, leaving us perched on the edge of precipice. We fail apprenticeships and get sent back home without our cloaks.

Finally we round another bend and an exit comes into view. Hope leaps in my chest, and I quicken my pace, mindful to place my feet carefully.

“Saskia!” Bram’s hand shoots out to grab my wrist. “Watch your head.”

But he’s too late. A razor-sharp bone grazes my scalp. I let out a startled cry of pain and press a palm to my head. My hand comes away bloody. No.

If I can just get to the exit …

I start to run, heedless of the other bones. I keep my gaze glued to the spill of light ahead that gleams like a ray of hope.

And then Latham steps into the cavern. His hands are shoved casually into the pockets of his cloak, and he gives me a smile that manages to look carefree and menacing at the same time.

“Hello, Saskia,” he says. “Going somewhere?”

My muscles go rigid.

“You’re not real,” I tell him. “You’re just a figment of my imagination.”

He laughs—a genuine laugh, as if I’ve actually amused him. “Am I? I had no idea. Then what a marvelous imagination you must have.”

A chill inches down my spine. “You aren’t here.”

“Of course I am.” He takes a step toward me. Not real. Not real. But no matter how I try to convince myself, the illusion won’t dissipate. He takes another step. I shrink away, and back into Bram. He puts a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

“Don’t listen to him. You’re all right.”

But wait. Remembering that Bram is here should be enough to pull me back to reality. That’s how it worked with all the other fears.

My pulse is erratic. Does this mean it’s not an illusion? Is Latham really here?

“Go,” I tell him. “My friends won’t let you kill me. Not here. Not now.”

“Oh, I disagree—I think now is the perfect time. You’ve spent the last several hours terrified.” His eyes flick to Bram. “And you’ve never been more in love. Your bones would be particularly powerful if I killed you now.”