“He doesn’t have enough flash left to come through,” Raisa said. “He’s been fighting back wizard flame, keeping me and Mellony alive.”

“Well, I don’t have enough flash left to go in and come out again, and bring another person,” Micah said. “Alister knows that. That’s why he sent me out with you.”

“You’re lying,” Raisa said, her mouth metallic with despair. “You despicable, lying, snake of a wizard.”

“It’s true,” Micah said, extending his hands, fingers spread pleadingly.

“I won’t be needing this.” Raisa tugged at Micah’s ring, wrenched it off her finger, and threw it at him. He ducked, and it hit the floor, rolling out of sight.

“Raisa,” Micah whispered, his face sheet-white. “Please.”

She opened her palm. “Give me back my ring,” she said.

For a moment, she thought he would refuse. Then he slid her wolf ring off his finger and pressed it into her hand. “I’ll go. I’ll get him out.” Micah swiveled away, disappearing into the chaos.

Cat Tyburn appeared out of nowhere. “Where’s Cuffs?” she asked, looking around. “I thought he’d be with you.”

Raisa shook her head mutely, pointing at the inferno toward the front of the church.

Just then a shout came up from those protecting the doors. Raisa looked up, half expecting to see the Ardenine Army pouring in; but what she saw instead was…water.

Water?

It had found its way under the massive wooden door, and through the tiny openings and imperfections in the door and the stonework. It advanced across the stone floor like a dark stain. Raisa heard shouts and screams and cries for help from outside the temple, layered over the sound of rushing water.

Where had it come from and how did it get here? We are blocks from the river.

“Get away from the door!” Amon shouted, and the defenders scattered in all directions.

He’s alive, Raisa thought, looking for Amon amid the tangle of people.

The door was literally bulging now, bowing inward under the weight of water. Water spilled over the stone sills of the windows, splashing onto the floor. The windows were high, so the water must have already risen against the sides of the cathedral.

With a massive crack, the door gave, bursting inward, releasing a torrent of water into the sanctuary, sluicing all the way forward to the altar. Those inside the cathedral scrambled for higher ground.

“Come,” Nightwalker said, taking Raisa’s hand. “We’d better climb.”

“It’s the Dyrnnewater,” Raisa said, planting her feet as the water rose to her knees. “The Dyrnnewater has come into the cathedral.”

“Hayden!” Cat crowed in delight, pointing. “Hayden’s calling the river.”

Raisa saw Fire Dancer, waist-deep in the Dyrnnewater, atop the Naming font to the left of the altar. He stood, eyes closed, both hands gripping his amulet, his lips moving silently, like a water god from out of the stories.