Tears welled in her eyes as he stepped back from her, Ryvinika tugging at her to move forward. And she cast a lingering glance at Kaian before she began to move again, never once checking over her shoulder to see if her friends were following.

She knew they were.

Finally, the forest gave way, and she stepped into an open field. The barrier hummed and glowed, and for a moment, she couldn’t help but admire it. It was the greatest work of magic the world had ever known, but it did not belong here. And she was going to fix the mistakes of the Elders and set the world right.

She began to move forward once more, doubling over as the invisible pressure of the barrier crashed into her. This time Ashes wasn’t here to support her. Her teeth chattered, and the closer she got, the more she struggled as her magic begged to be set free.

Ashes promised a better world for everyone – for them. The thought kept her moving.

‘Sapphire, please. Please don’t do this.’ Evera was crying as she caught up, the fear so clear on her face.

‘I will be OK. It’s all going to be OK.’

‘Look at the storm. The Elders are angry. Please, do not push them any further,’ Kaian begged.

Would you like to show him, my child? What your anger can do?

It was a moment of weakness, she supposed. But she did want him to see her – all of her. She wanted to kill the doubt that lingered in his eyes, to make him worry more about her capabilities than her failures. She wanted Kaian to see.

She felt the familiar touch of Ryvinika pressing on her eyes. She did not scream or stumble. And when the witch was done, she slowly turned to meet Kaian’s blue-eyed gaze.

‘No.’

He stumbled backwards, gasping for air and attempting to find his bearings. ‘That’s not possible. Your eyes –’

‘I am not a monster, Kaian. I am your friend. Your partner.’

‘Sapphire …’ Everything about his tone had shifted.

‘I am asking you to trust me.’

He shook his head, and tears shimmered in his eyes.

‘I cannot. I cannot let you make this mistake.’

‘It’s not a mistake.’

She felt the push of Ryvinika once more, and a roll of thunder sounded across the land.

It was time. She knew it was time. She turned away from her friends and focused on the barrier. But a hand on her arm pulled her back.

It was Kaian again. His eyes were desperate and afraid. ‘You can’t do this.’

‘I can and I will.’

‘Please, Sapphire.’ His voice was raw and broken as the rain began to fall. Her heart ached as she saw the fear sink into his eyes. Kaian was afraid – afraid of her.

‘I have to do this. Can’t you see?’