Ung Li’s dark eyes narrow. “There’s a slim chance that she’s still alive.” Her mouth tightens. “You will see postings going up throughout the Wyvernguard and the city with your sister’s likeness on them.”

“Postings?” I rasp.

“If your sister has survived,” Ung Li says, her tone and expression seeming to downplay the possibility, “and if she makes her way to the Eastern Realm, then she’s to be brought to the Vu Trin immediately.” There’s a pause, a split second too long. “For her protection.” Her lips lift in a slight, comforting smile that seems forced while her dark eyes remain hard as stone.

My water magic freezes as a darker nightmare descends.

They’re not searching for Elloren.

They’re hunting her.

Ung Li is studying me, her gaze raptor-sharp. “If your sister has survived and she comes to Noi lands,” she says, her tone measured and neutral, “it is likely that she will seek out you or your brother, Rafe. If this happens, you must bring her to us without delay. Do you understand, Mage Gardner?”

Hope and fury ignite as a whoosh of my invisible water aura breaks over the room.

Elloren is alive. And you’re lying to me.

I tighten my lines and wrench all my magic inward, forcing it deep into my center. Then I give Ung Li a stiff, formal salute and strike my fist firmly to my chest. “Yes, Commander,” I affirm, ready to lie, as well. Ready to do whatever it takes to find Elloren and hide her from the Vu Trin. “If my sister has survived and she seeks me out, I’ll bring her straight to you.”

Vothendrile

“Trystan...”

He rounds on me in the cobweb-strewn hallway outside his room, his eyes fierce.

“Xishlon’vir or guard,” he demands. “Choose, Vothe. You can’t be with me and against my sister.”

Shock and anger light. And intense remorse. Over how Ung Li’s news rocked me so hard my emotions briefly shut down. Because this changes everything.

“Trystan,” I say, “she’s the Black Witch.”

Trystan’s green eyes blaze. “They’re wrong about her.”

“She’s potentially a realm-destroying weapon. An Eastern Realm–leveling weapon.” We don’t need to delve into the subtext of his meeting with Ung Li. We’re both clear that the Vu Trin aren’t searching for Elloren Gardner to protect her.

Trystan faces me down, our invisible lightning forking chaotically around us both. “I know what you called me before I got here,” Trystan says. “‘Crow.’ ‘Roach.’ And I know about the petition you organized to keep me out of the Wyvernguard and the East.”

His words are like a knife-strike through my heart. I step toward him, overcome with fierce contrition. “I’m sorry. Trystan, I’m sorry—”