“Don’t move another step!” I shout. Again, light flares, and the relief I feel is overwhelming—until I see the smirk on Ward’s features, until I see that Vanik is still walking, thanks to his companion’s protective power.

“So, you do have some fight left in you, after all,” Vanik calls back to me over his shoulder, the thrill of a challenge on his face. “No matter, your time will run out soon enough. Catch us if you can, Alyssa Scott.”

And with that, he takes off, sprinting down the passageway, Ward keeping pace at his side.

I wasn’t expecting his abrupt departure, but it only takes me a second to leap after them. A second to realize I can’t let them get away, even if they have a head start.

“Stop!” I try yelling again, hoping to slow them down. I know Ward will protect them both from my command, but any hesitating on their part will help me close some of the distance between us. And maybe if I send enough commands, Ward will slip up and one will get through.

“Wait!”—“Don’t move!”—“Halt!”—“Freeze!”—“Bunny!”

The last one I try in an effort to throw them off, since it doesn’t matter what word I use as long as my intent is there. The problem is, out of all my Spoken commands, only one word flared with light—which Ward easily blocked.

My body is fighting the serum, my snowballing adrenaline helping as much as it can, but Vanik is right about my time running out. I thought it already had run out, so I’m thanking my lucky stars as I continue down the passageway, grateful that I could at least free myself. All I can do is hope that when the time comes, I’ll still have enough power to do what needs to be done—and that I’ll figure out what needs to be done in order to do it.

Pushing my uncertainty aside, I reach the fork in the path and see that they’ve headed into the dark middle tunnel that I’ve only traveled once before. I follow them into the inky blackness, not stopping to think about where it leads. Not stopping to consider going back for help, because there’s no time. The threat Vanik presents is too great to risk losing him.

Only … I can’t afford to be a fool about this. There’s simply too much at stake for me to confront Vanik without backup. Even if my ability holds out, with Ward by his side, there’s no point in me attempting to Speak. For there to be the slightest chance of stopping him—stopping them—I’m going to need help.