We scurry up the stairs to the training wing, but when we get there, we hesitate before separating. The others look as restless and agitated as I feel.

Finally it’s Jacey who gives voice to what we’re all thinking. “I’m worried that all of you might disappear if I let you out of my sight.”

“I feel the same,” Tessa says, and then to me, “Is that possible?”

“Of course not.” Though even I can hear the doubt that creeps into my voice. The truth is, I don’t know if the past is stable or if the future is secure. I won’t know until I find out what became of Latham in this reality. But Gran used to say that she’d never met a problem that couldn’t be made worse by worry. “Everything will be all right.”

“But if something does change,” Talon says, “it will probably be that I grow even more handsome.”

Jacey slugs him on the shoulder. “Unlikely.”

“True. It’s hard to improve on perfection.”

Niklas cocks his head to one side and taps his finger against his cheek. “Saskia, is there some bone we can heal that will make him less insufferable?”

Bram’s hand shoots in the air. “I volunteer to do the breaking.”

I laugh. “Doubtful. But I kind of like Talon just the way he is.”

Talon narrows his eyes. “Are you saying nice things just to make me feel guilty for teasing you earlier?”

“Depends. Is it working?”

“Yes.”

I grin. “Then yes.”

We hear footsteps on the stairway and turn to see Norah glaring at us with fire in her eyes. “Did I not make myself clear?”

We mumble apologies and reluctantly go our separate ways.

I find Master Kyra sitting alone in the training room, strumming her fingers on the table.

I slide into the chair across from her. “I’m sorry I’m late.”

Her eyebrows rise just a fraction. “It’s not like you. I assume you had a good reason?”

I swallow. “Yes. A very good one.”

She studies me for a moment, but she doesn’t press for details. “All right then. Why don’t we begin by having a look at your mastery tattoo?”

I go numb with panic. I should have known that it was too good to be true. My troubles are about to follow me from path to path, relentless.

“Is there a problem?”

“No,” I say softly. Ami warned me that my instructor might ask to see my tattoo as a way to gauge my progress. Whether I show her or refuse, she’ll know something is amiss.

I should have held Bram for longer. I should have kissed him one more time. I should have told him that I love him—on this path and every other. But now it’s too late. The moment Master Kyra sees my tattoo, my fate will be sealed. I won’t get to say goodbye.