The portal closed.
I took the corridors at a pace just short of running. Ember’s flames pulsed hot against my neck, his anxious energy mirroring my own.
Aurora had been furious when we’d evacuated her. Furious and scared and desperate to stay, to help, and not to be locked away like some fragile thing that needed protecting.
I’d made her go anyway, using authority she couldn’t argue with. I told myself it was for her own good. I should’ve known she wouldn’t stay put.
The medical center’s doors slid open with a soft hiss. I was hit by the antiseptic smell and regulated magic, healing wards thrumming in the walls. Dr. Phillips looked up from her station, her expression shifting to recognition.
Your cousin arrived an hour ago, she said before I could ask. With Mr. Maddock. They’re in room seven with Ms. Singer.
Of course. Raven.
I found them in the private room at the end of the corridor. Aurora sat beside Raven’s bed, her copper hair loose around her shoulders instead of in its usual neat braid. Lucas stood on the other side, his hand gentle on Raven’s arm.
Raven looked better than the last time I’d seen her—more color in her cheeks, more awareness in her eyes. But the corruption threads still clung to her like cobwebs, faint but stubborn.
Aurora looked up when I entered. Her amber eyes—so like mine, so like my father’s—held defiance and guilt in equal measure.
Don’t, she said before I could speak. Don’t tell me I should’ve stayed where you put me. Don’t tell me it’s not safe. Don’t—
You should’ve called, I interrupted.
Her eyes widened slightly.
Let someone know you were coming. Your parents are terrified.
They’re always terrified. Aurora’s voice roughened. They’ve been terrified since the conspiracy broke. Since they realized how close we all came to… She stopped and then started over. I couldn’t just sit there anymore, Cyrus. Not while Raven was here. Not while Lucas was… Her hand found his across Raven’s bed. Not while I could actually help.
Lucas squeezed her fingers. She’s been good for Raven, he said quietly. Familiar voice. Family.
I looked at Raven. She was watching us with unusual focus, like she was tracking the conversation despite the exhaustion in her features.
Hi, Raven, I said carefully.
Hi, Cyrus. Her voice came out hoarse but more present than it had been. Aurora says… says you’ve all been working yourselves to death. Trying to stop him.
We’re trying.
He’s… Raven’s brow furrowed. There’s something. Something about the timing. About when he…
She stopped. Went rigid.
Raven? Lucas leaned forward, concern sharp in his voice.
Her eyes rolled back, her body convulsing once, twice. Aurora grabbed her hand, holding on while Lucas moved to stabilize her shoulders.
Dr. Phillips! I was already at the door, calling for help.
But Raven was speaking, words tumbling out in fragments. Her voice was wrong, layered with something that wasn’t quite hers.
Synchronization… now… all nodes… activate…
The corruption threads around her flared silver-black, not spreading but reacting.
Force the resonance… separate them… exhaust the portal mage…
Dr. Phillips burst through the door, diagnostic magic already flowing. But she stopped when she heard Raven’s voice.
