Lengard has sent five Speakers, and they’re currently closing the distance between us. But they’re not hurrying anymore. Their steps are confident, knowing they have us cornered.

Crew is with them, his eyes blank, just like when he was being controlled by Manning’s Spoken orders. My heart gives a pang at seeing him, even if his presence here is a problem. His slaying ability is dangerous for anyone he targets, especially if he’s acting as a mindless pawn rather than of his own free will.

But Crew’s not the real concern. Nor is he the only one of the five I recognize.

“L-Landon?”

Cami’s quiet squeak is nothing more than a breath of sound, but I’m quick to reach out blindly and slap my hand over her mouth to stop her from uttering anything more. It’s difficult, not only because she’s invisible, but also because I’m fighting to keep my own shock from becoming audible. The sight of her brother walking at the apex of the five, leading the small group our way … I didn’t expect him to be here. I didn’t expect him to look so … so healthy.

I didn’t expect what I feel when I see him, the overwhelming relief, the fluttering of my pulse, the lightness of my spirit.

Ward is unharmed. He is here and he is unharmed.

My mind is spinning. I don’t understand how this is possible.

He doesn’t look as if he’s been a prisoner of Vanik and Manning for six days. He doesn’t look as if he’s been locked away, experimented on, hurt in any capacity. And yet …

Wait.

There’s something wrong with his eyes. His gaze—it’s as blank as Crew’s, the two of them staring apathetically in our direction, their features emotionless. It’s as if … as if …

No. It’s not possible. Ward’s protective ability would have kept him safe from Manning’s power. Even Vanik said as much to me, back in the lab. There’s no way that …

My thoughts trail off as I look around and realize that I’m wrong. The lights are on now because Ward used his ability to control the effect of my ability. My shield failed because of him.

He’s targeting me, combating my power with his own.

“This complicates things,” I hear Pandora whisper, and I start to turn, only to remember that I can’t see her. I assume that she and the others are peeking out, too, over the top of the ice cream stand, and around the opposite side from Cami and me. It’s irrational for us to remain hidden given that we’re invisible, but I’m guessing that they, like me, are now achingly aware of the danger we face. If Ward turns his focus from me to Pandora, then …

She’s not wrong. This does complicate things. If Ward is here—I can’t believe Ward is here!—if he’s somehow acting under Manning’s command, then none of us can use our Speaking abilities to any effect. Not against him.