Woodenly, I shrug off my Bone Charmer cloak. Pull up my sleeve.

Master Kyra stands. Her warm fingers are gentle but firm as she traces the tattoo. Healing the bones didn’t change it. She makes a disbelieving sound, but she doesn’t speak.

My breath feels trapped in my lungs. Like I’m desperate for air, but a heavy weight rests on my chest and makes it impossible to breathe.

“Remarkable,” Master Kyra says, letting my sleeve fall.

“What?” My voice comes out little more than a squeak.

“Your tattoo is looking excellent, Saskia. Much more balanced now. All three corners are equally developed in both size and color.” She pats me on the shoulder. “I’m so proud of you.”

My thoughts move so fast, I can’t catch them. Master Kyra knows I have all three Sights. And she’s not angry about it.

Something changed in the past that altered the rules. Latham got what he wanted—a world where everyone is free to reach their fullest magical potential. It must mean that he has true power here. It’s a chilling notion. Or a hopeful one. I don’t know yet.

I think of Norah’s statement before we left for the third bone game. And maybe if you succeed, we can both get what we want. Is this what she meant? Fewer restrictions on magic without Latham becoming king?

Then I think of Jensen and my heart swells. He’ll be safe on this path. Home with Boe and Fredrik. I search my memory of the bone games in this reality, and images of a different trial float to the surface of my mind—a woman who used healing magic as a torture device—to cause agony instead of alleviating it. This time, my guilty vote wasn’t fraught with inner turmoil.

If only I could have brought my mother back too. I wonder if her absence will always feel like this. Like a wound that never really heals. I wonder what she would think of my choices.

“Everything all right?” Master Kyra asks.

“Yes. I’m just glad you’re pleased with my progress. I’ve been … worried.”

“Well, you shouldn’t have been.”

She scatters a handful of bones in the bottom of the stone basin that rests between us. “I thought we’d do a little First Sight memory work today.”

“Memory work?”

“Occasionally you’ll work with Healers to help their patients access long-forgotten memories. Or memories that haven’t been recalled for many years and need to be accessed for emotional healing. But in order to help others retrieve their memories, it helps if you can learn to find your own.”

A thrill goes through me and I can’t tell if it’s anticipation or fear.

“So what is the task?”