My ankle is itching like crazy. I pull up the hem of my dark Mogadorian gown—a fresh one, not the one Setrákus Ra burned—and stare at the raw flesh on my leg. I’m failing at my goal of giving nothing away, but I can’t help myself. I reach down and massage my ankle, letting out a deep sigh as I do. I press my palm against the brand and wish that the scar will be gone when I lift my hand. Of course it’s still there, but at least the clammy sweat on my palm actually feels sort of good against the seared flesh.

Something occurs to me then. What if I use my Aeternus to return to a younger age? Would the skin on my ankle heal?

I decide to try it. I close my eyes and picture myself as I was two years ago. The feeling of getting smaller is like letting out a held breath. At least this time when I open my eyes the room seems to have gotten bigger.

I look down at myself. I’ve shrunk down a few inches, made myself skinnier, the muscles I’d started developing over the last few months smoothed away. And yet, the jagged Mogadorian symbol on my leg remains, pink and achy as ever.

“Aeternus. We have that in common.”

It’s Setrákus Ra. He stands in the now open doorway of my little study room. Still in that infuriatingly plastic human form. He observes me with a casual smile, leaning against the door, his arms folded across his chest. “It’s useless,” I reply bitterly, covering up my ankle. I close my eyes and ease back into my true age. “What I get for being related to you. The dumbest Legacy of all.”

“You won’t feel that way when you’re my age,” Setrákus says, ignoring my insult. “You will be young and beautiful forever, if you wish. It will be an inspiration to your subjects to see their leader radiant and ageless.”

“I don’t have any subjects.”

“Not yet. But soon.”

I know exactly who Setrákus Ra means for me to lord over, but I refuse to acknowledge it. I regret using my Aeternus. Now he knows something else about me, another way for him to try finding common ground with me, like we’re the same.

“Is the charm bothering you?” he asks gently.

“It’s fine,” I reply quickly. “It’s like it’s not even there.”

“Hmm. The irritation should pass in a day or so.” He pauses, his hand on his chin in reflection. “I know it hurts now, Ella. But in time you will come to appreciate the lessons you are learning. You will thank me for my benevolence.”

I frown at him, sure that he’s going to ramble no matter what I say. So I don’t say anything at all.

I glare up at him. “So what? You’re, like, protecting me with this thing? Is that the point?”

“I would see no harm come to you, child,” Setrákus Ra replies.