“Of course n—”

“And what about the rest of the Speakers who have been kept in the dark? All the Exodus teenagers who will suddenly learn that they’ve been lied to about Lengard? That they’ve had their minds controlled and done things against their will but have no memory of doing so—how stable do you think they’ll be after that? And where will they go? Lengard is their home now, their safe haven. Don’t forget that you’ll be taking that away from them. How do you think they’ll react? What do you think they’ll—”

“Stop it, Kael!” I suddenly cry, unable to listen to any more. “I get it, okay? Just stop.”

I clap my hands over my mouth as power rushes from me. But it’s too late—the world has already frozen, both Kael and Cami as still as statues before me.

Kael didn’t try to destroy my ability, perhaps because he wasn’t expecting it, or perhaps to prove a point. Either way, my stomach feels like lead as I choke out a word of release, restarting time.

I can’t meet his eyes. I thought I’d conquered this— conquered myself. I try to remember that it’s been a long night, that I’m exhausted and in pain, and that nothing bad technically happened. I just … slipped up. An honest mistake.

Breathing heavily, I wait for Kael’s judgment, for his reprimand. But it doesn’t come. Instead, he only says, “Do you, though? Do you truly get it, Lyss?”

I wonder if he even realizes, if he even knows I just stopped the world, or if he thinks no time has passed.

I’m too afraid to ask.

Too ashamed to ask.

His words—and my actions—have impacted me more than I could have imagined. A glance at Cami reveals her white face and shimmering eyes. I want to wrap my arms around her, and feel hers around me, but I’m rooted to the spot, replaying everything Kael said before I lost control. He painted an effective picture—one laden with so much uncertainty that I’m doubting everything, even myself. Especially after what I just did.

Kael reaches out to me again, and this time I don’t brush his hands away when they settle on my shoulders. His voice is soft when he says, “I made you a promise, princess. We’ll save Ward and the others. We will. But we need to do it right.”

My throat feels tight as I purposefully push aside what I just did and instead croak out, “And what about the boy from tonight?”

Kael’s fingers clench imperceptibly, something I wouldn’t have noticed if not for him holding me. “What about him?”

“Are we just going to forget about him?”

This time, the clench is deliberate, a gentle tightening of his fingers as if to comfort me. “For now, that’s all we can do. But try not to sweat it, Lyss. He’s not the first breakout we’ve lost to Lengard.” His lips curl upward as he adds, “We didn’t make it to you before they did, and look where you are now. For all we know, that boy is another kick-ass Creator who might already have Vanik surrendering on his knees.”