She remembered what Mot had said just yesterday: Did yeh know Grendel’s been asked to stoke the second furnace? Rooke made the request ’imself . . .

Kiva hadn’t even questioned it, wholly believing that it must be in preparation for the rising numbers of dead. But now, as she approached the crematorium and tried to stave off the full-body shakes assailing her frame, she didn’t know whether it was good or bad that she hadn’t dwelled on Mot’s words, never once considering what they could have meant for her.

This was worse than a wooden pyre.

So much worse.

And just as Kiva had known, there was no sign of her family, no sign of the rebels.

She truly was on her own.

The prisoners parted like waves as Bones led Naari and Kiva toward the entrance of the stone building, where Warden Rooke stood with three other guards and Grendel. The crematorium worker was looking at the ground, holding both of her elbows and clearly wishing she was anywhere but the center of attention right now. Kiva wondered what was going through her head and if she, too, dreaded what was about to happen.

As a woman in her early thirties, Grendel had been sent to Zalindov for arson, so the guards had amused themselves by placing her in charge of the crematorium—but not before making sure to “welcome” her. Over half of Grendel’s body was covered in burn scars from what they’d done, and she’d only survived because Kiva had worked tirelessly day and night to keep her from death. She, like many prisoners, owed Kiva her life. And now it looked like she was about to be ordered to repay that debt by helping to kill her.

Warden Rooke stood tall and proud beside Grendel, his black leather uniform polished to perfection, as always. He showed no emotion as he beheld Kiva, his stance enough that she knew he’d meant what he’d said after her first Ordeal—she would find no help from him. Whatever supposed protection he’d afforded her in the last decade was now gone.

“Kiva Meridan,” Rooke said in a deep, carrying voice as she approached. “Today you will face your second Ordeal, the Trial by Fire. Do you have any last words?”