“Are you so surprised? You look so surprised and alsosupercovered in blood, which I’m learning is just an official look for you. Ta-da! I joined the Reformists. I mean, for a while there, I kept asking my parents if they were anti-legacy activists, and they kept saying no. But then they told me all about this movement and how it fully supports you, and I was like, well,then ofcourseI’ll join. Oh, fuck—is that where the humans are going to enter?” she asks, pointing at the massive glowing spell designating the waypoint.
Maven nods.
Kenzie squeals again. “Oh, my gods! This is so exciting and also kind of terrifying and?—”
“Is it safe for you to be here?” Maven frowns.
“Pfft—fuck safe. Have those humans been safe? No. And I might not be a full-blown shifter thanks to my curse, but I can fucking help however I can, so don’t even say I can’t.”
“I didn’t mean that. I’m just surprised. In a good way,” Maven tacks on, smiling at Kenzie.
Kenzie beams and then blinks multiple times over her shoulder at us. “Damn, you all look awful. I mean, I saw that you guys were in a horrible fight live on the news a little bit ago, but it’swayworse in person.”
“Thanks for that, Baird,” Everett rolls his eyes.
Maven glances at the field next to us where Reformists are gathering and frowns. “Is that Harlow Carter?”
“Yep! She’s a Reformist now. So are most of the asscasters who survived the shit that went down at Everbound. I guess it makes sense that they’re on board with reforming the system since the system is kind of rough on their survival chances at the moment,” Kenzie grimaces, blowing a strand of pale curly hair out of her face. Her face lights up, and she waves at Vivienne and Luka, who have just arrived with one of the other transporting casters. “My quintet joined, too, by the way.”
As she chats off my keeper’s ear, I frown when I sense something appear in one of my hands, buzzing like a phone that needs to be answered.
When I raise the Scarab-shaped amulet, tingling with familiar magic, I understand immediately and answer the communications spell placed on it.
“You truly are old-fashioned,” I sigh, stepping away from the others for privacy. I wander through old gravestones, gazing at the stormy sky overhead and wondering if it’s an omen. “You do know phones exist now, don’t you?”
The Garnet Wizard’s voice is muffled because of the spell, cutting out now and then. “Enough cheek. I have a message for your keeper.”
When I pass by an old, fading statue of the goddess Syntyche, a cloak concealing her face and her scythe propped over one shoulder, I can’t help the shiver that rolls over me.
“Then why not send this to her?” I ask.
“Don’t be daft. You know that I know your magic well enough to send you a communication anywhere in the world. I barely know your keeper’s magic well enough—and this message could not be missed, for it is quite important.”
He cuts out for a moment. I frown. “Repeat that.”
“I said, tell your keeper that Zuma’s paramour left the Sanctuary without permission, and she followed him despite my trying to stop her. I have sent acolytes out looking, so they should be found swiftly.”
I pause. “He left without permission? How? The wards should completely prevent that.”
“I am investigating how this happened. Just tell your keeper at once.”
The Scarab amulet vanishes.
I sigh. Ever the eccentric.
I move back toward Maven, intent on sharing the update—but just as I approach her, the glowing waypoint flashes on our side of the Divide, lighting up the gray wall throughout the cemetery and field. Everyone present, including my quintet and the Reformists, goes still and quiet as we watch the first of the humans escape the Nether.
They’re all haggard, barefoot, gray-skinned, dressed in rags, and streaked with dirt and sweat as they venture into the field. And they’re all women and children. With a start, I realize the humans have sent their most vulnerable first to get them away from danger the fastest. Pregnant women, wide-eyed, terrified children, and other trembling humans make their way out of the Divide.
Many burst into tears.
Others collapse as if the journey to get here took all their strength.
It’s a surprisingly touching sight. At once, the present Reformists, including Kenzie and her quintet, hurry to help. They support the fallen humans and offer words of comfort, welcoming them to the mortal realm.
Unfortunately, many of the malnourished escapees are bone-thin. Others have visible wounds. They need the supplies and other aid.
When I glance at Everett again, he nods.
