Evera waited – waited for an answer, for confirmation, for anything from her best friend. But when it did not come, Sapphire knew the girl would get there herself. She knew she would answer the question Kaian was asking because Evera was afraid.

Sapphire could not blame her.

‘She’s going to try to bring down the barrier.’

There was no try. She would bring down the barrier. She would stop the oncoming attack. And she would force Eriobis into a new era.

‘Sapphire, have you lost your mind?’

Maybe.

But the power inside her was lit, and it demanded to be released.

Kaian and Evera followed her deep into the forest, never pausing. Ryvinika kept her feet moving.

Overhead, the world darkened. Threatening clouds obscured the sun. A storm fit to birth a new world.

That’s when it slammed into her.

The pain was bone-splitting. Agonizing. Like it was stripping back layers of flesh, exposing her entirely. Her knees shook at the impact but she steadied herself. The pause gave Kaian and Evera the time they needed to catch up with her. Kaian took her by the arm.

‘What are you thinking?’

‘I am thinking,’ Sapphire pulled her arm from his grip, ‘that this is what I was born to do.’

Kaian. He reached for her but she pulled away.

‘I will bring it down.’

Thunder rolled overhead and she knew it was coming.

Move, child. Time is running out.

Ryvinika’s voice pushed her forward, and she began to move once more. She could feel the barrier, the magic digging beneath her skin, taking up too much space in her chest. Her breathing was laboured as she pushed forward, the storm growing stronger above her with every step.

Kaian grabbed her again.

‘The Shadow Witch did this. Didn’t she?’ he demanded of Sapphire, though he must know the answer. ‘Why? What does she have –?’

Kaian’s words came to a stop as he realized.

‘She has your heart.’ Sapphire stared him down, daring him to speak against her witch. ‘Tell me I’m wrong. Tell me right now.’

‘You’re hurting me.’ His grip tightened on her arm. ‘You are not wrong.’

He looked at his hand and released his grip but did not step away.

‘Don’t do this.’ His voice was strained.

‘They are going to kill her. Your parents plan to kill the coven.’

‘You don’t kn–’

‘There is a promise of a better world. A prophecy of a land without barriers. A land of peace.’

‘Shadow Witches know nothing of peace.’

‘I need you to let me go,’ she whispered, her heart breaking.

‘You’re a fool for many reasons, Sapphire Canmore,’ his voice was strangled, ‘but even you are not foolish enough to believe I could ever do that.’