There’s only one way I can know for sure. Only one way to reveal the truth without any shred of doubt.

“I’m sorry, I must have been mistaken,” I croak out, standing to my feet. “The cake was delicious, but I should be going.”

I want to run from the room, but I force my shaking legs to move slowly, naturally.

“Alyssa?”

I don’t want to stop, but I also don’t want to arouse her suspicion, so I pause and turn back. My eyes widen when I see that hers have lost focus, when I see the light flaring from her as she opens her mouth and Speaks.

“Your future is cast in shadow and song, your destiny filled with echoes.”

Her whimsical voice prompts memories of her saying the exact same words to me twice before, in this very room.

“No one knows what lies ahead. But more than any path I’ve ever seen, yours is hidden most of all.”

She’s said that to me before, too. A shudder snakes its way down my spine, my body breaking out in goose bumps at the power of her words. Her Spoken words.

Her gaze remains unfocused as she smiles sadly at me and continues in her whimsical voice, “Answers will come, Alyssa Scott. When they do, you will wish you’d never sought them. But take heart, for if you stay the path, you will bring hope to Speakers everywhere. However, should you fail, then only darkness awaits. Our futures rest on your shoulders, your actions resulting in our salvation … or our destruction.”

With that, the light fades as she bows her head and strokes Schrödinger’s coat, her dismissal clear.

My legs are like jelly as I leave her room and step out into the corridor, her words echoing on repeat in my mind.

Salvation or destruction.

Salvation or destruction.

Salvation

or

destruction.

I force myself to inhale deeply, once, twice, three times, letting each breath out slowly.

It’s not like Liana told me anything I don’t already know. If Vanik has turned himself into a Creator, then I’m the only one who is equal to him in power. The only one capable of stopping him—if my ability lasts long enough for me to find him.

A renewed sense of urgency fills me as I move swiftly through the corridors. I can’t shake the growing feeling that everything is connected—that my missing memories, Liana’s warnings, and the lies swirling around me are all leading me to the one place. To Vanik. It’s a fool’s hope, but it’s the only lead I have to go on, and my intuition has rarely failed me before, not when it mattered.

That’s why I don’t falter as I approach a door that is becoming familiar to me, nor do I hesitate to knock loudly and call, “It’s me. Please open up.”