In that moment, Setrákus Ra isn’t paying me any attention at all. He’s completely focused on Five. I know I should make a break for it, but I find myself rooted in place. Even after everything he’s done, can I really leave Five behind?

Five is on his knees in front of Setrákus Ra, clutching his injured hand to his belly. Setrákus Ra’s unimposing human form has grown by a few feet—he’s taller and broader now, inflated in a way that is vaguely grotesque. He reaches down and palms Five’s head in one unnaturally large hand.

“All you needed to do was follow orders,” Setrákus Ra seethes at Five. He jerks Five’s head back so he can look him in the face. “We could have walked into the Sanctuary together, if you’d only brought me that damned pendant. And now, this—you dare raise a hand against your Beloved Leader. You disgust me, boy.”

I don’t know what Setrákus Ra means by Sanctuary, but I make a mental note of it. I also take a step towards him and Five, still torn between fleeing and helping, and uncertain of what I could even do in a fight against the Mogadorian ruler.

Five’s head is cocked at an awkward angle, so he can only gurgle in response to Setrákus Ra’s ranting.

“I should have known that no member of the Garde could truly be salvaged,” Setrákus Ra continues. “You are my greatest failure, Five. But you will be my last.”

Five cries out as Ra’s hand tightens on his skull. My stomach turns over as I realize he’s literally going to crush Five’s head. I can’t let that happen.

With all the telekinetic force I can muster, I shove Setrákus Ra towards the open docking-bay doors.

His eyes widen in surprise as he stumbles backwards, the open air tugging at his fancy suit, which is now bulging at the seams from his inhuman growth spurt. Setrákus Ra loses his grip on Five’s head, his nails scratching divots into his scalp. He manages to stop himself before I push him off the Anubis, and I can feel his telekinesis battle back against mine.

“Ella, how—,” he starts to ask, surprise mixing with frustration.

But then Five is charging at him, his forearm blade extended.

“Die!” Five bellows. Setrákus Ra tries to step aside but can’t entirely avoid Five. The blade plunges into his shoulder.

I scream as a piercing jolt of pain courses through me.

A hole in my shoulder opens up, warm blood pouring down my front. I stagger against one of the nearby ships, clutching the wound, trying to stop the bleeding with my fingers.

Five recoils from Setrákus Ra, his eyes wide. The Mogadorian looks unharmed. Setrákus Ra smiles as Five turns to gape at me. I’m run through right where he should’ve stabbed Setrákus Ra.

“Now look what you did,” Setrákus Ra chides.

The Mogadorian charm, I realize, even as I start to feel faint. Any damage done to Setrákus Ra is instead done to me.