As the witch turned to retreat into the Shattered Lands, darkness raced towards them, but Sapphire did not flinch as she held up her hands. A blast of wind knocked the shadows away, revealing the border of the Shattered Lands – of Witrotean – once more.

Ashes stood near the Home. Her red hair whipped in the wind as she pulled her hood over her head. Sapphire watched as the witch turned away, retreating in the direction her coven had headed. But Sapphire didn’t move.

She stared at her childhood home. The place that had raised her, broken her, mended her, and broken her once more. The place she had left behind. The people she had left behind.

Oh, mercy, what had happened to the girls of the Home? Lyna and Susanna? What if –

She didn’t finish the thought before rushing towards the Shattered Lands. She had only taken a few steps when she felt someone grab her hand. She turned to find Evera standing there.

‘You’re thinking about them. About the girls in the Home.’

Sapphire nodded, tears welling up, threatening to spill.

‘If they are there, you cannot help them. Not right now, anyway. We need to figure out our next steps.’

Kaian joined them, helping Evera usher Sapphire towards the forest.

‘We hurry home. We say we were having lunch in the clearing and heard the barrier fall. And we protect this country. We protect our home.’

At Kaian’s words, the implications of her actions hit her full force.

‘We have to get home, Sapphire. We have to get home and alert them. We have to alert them all.’ It was Evera speaking to her now.

Home.

She no longer knew what the word meant. Not with the world she had once known behind her and the world she had destroyed before her.

Evera tugged at her arm, and Sapphire began to move, her friends leading the way as they ran, Evera controlling the flames that threatened to consume the forest. Sapphire felt depleted, like there was no magic left in her veins, and her friends slowed their pace to allow her to keep up.

‘She promised,’ Sapphire whispered.

‘And she lied.’ Kaian’s voice contained no sympathy, but Evera squeezed her hand gently.

In the silence, she realized how lonely her mind was without Ryvinika there.

The thought faded quickly as another unwelcome presence ghosted over her skin.

She jumped, looking around to find the source, but there was nothing.

Please, do not be alarmed.

The voice was similar to Ryvinika’s but softer, and Sapphire paused as Kaian and Evera watched her with concern.

I am Aylara.

Sapphire stiffened at the name.

The original Canmore queen.

Ryvinika’s sister.

The fall of the barrier was inevitable. You cannot carry that burden if you plan to win a war. Please, let me help you.

‘Why would you? I’m not a Canmore. You’ve seen what I’ve done.’