A surge of … something raced through Sapphire’s body, straight to her heart. She stopped, clutching her chest as she tried to breathe through the sharp pain. It surged again, and she collapsed to her knees. She tore at her corset, desperate to relieve herself of the building pressure.

Ashes stared at her, intrigued, but made no move to help.

The pulsating pressure was building, threatening to rip her ribcage open. She felt undone, fried, and terrified as she tucked her knees under her chest, writhing in pain.

Ashes continued to watch with an amused expression. Sapphire reached out a desperate hand, and the witch stepped backwards.

‘Ashes, please,’ Sapphire sputtered.

‘Fascinating,’ the girl whispered.

‘Please. Help.’

One breath.

Then two.

She felt arms tuck under her, lifting her gently off the ground. Sapphire pressed against Ashes’ chest. After twenty or so steps, Sapphire felt like she could breathe again.

She sucked in a few sharp inhales before speaking. ‘Are we nearing the barrier?’

‘Yes.’

‘I-I think I could feel it.’

‘That is impossible.’

‘The magic was – it was building inside me. The pressure was – it was the barrier. I know it.’

‘That’s impossible,’ Ashes repeated, her lip curling in a snarl, as she steadied Sapphire on to her own two feet.

‘Why is that impossible?’

‘It just is.’ Ashes shook her head, looking over her shoulder at the barrier.

‘I can feel it. Like vibrations filling every part of my body. I thought my chest was going to cave in. Like lightning crawling under my skin.’

Ashes’ stare was heavy, unblinking, as she took a step closer. Sapphire wanted to sink away from her, but she remained upright as the witch searched her face.

‘What? What are you staring at?’

‘You.’

‘Why?’

‘If what you say is true, you’re drawing in power from the barrier. And that, princess, is not something any high blood should be able to do.’

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

‘Take me to it.’

Ashes shook her head. ‘No.’

‘I said, take me to it.’

‘No,’ Ashes repeated.

‘We had a deal,’ Sapphire spat. ‘I upheld my side. You will uphold yours!’

‘I will not have you lying broken at my feet! The barrier is over a hundred feet away, and you could barely stand being this close. I will not have your death on my hands tonight, princess. I will not.’

‘Then I’ll do it myself.’ Sapphire stormed past the witch, but Ashes caught her hand, tugging her back roughly.

‘I will take you,’ Ashes said, leaning in closer, ‘but I will not save you.’

‘I never asked you to save me,’ Sapphire seethed.

‘Your memory is as limited as your sense – you begged me to save you only moments ago.’

Sapphire grabbed at the witch’s neck.

But Ashes was always one step ahead. Grabbing Sapphire’s wrist, she pinned it above her head.