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The darkness solidified. She didn’t know how it would work with only one signifier.

Please, Dark Magic. I need you.

Another strand of power appeared in her mind, sparkling with different shades of black.

She wasn’t sure what spell to use or if she had enough powers, but when she opened her eyes, ancient words she shouldn’t know tumbled out of her with authority: “Eda vores mors.”

Enchant death.

Like a wave, Dark Magic surged through her body, attaching itself to every cell of her. The bracelet snapped tight around her arm, as if it was made for her and her alone. Black shadows erupted from her palm, and the ground began to shake. The wave of power knocked down Salinger, but Mira stood tall.

The bracelet glowed with bright light, and everyone around her had to shield their eyes. Mira looked straight at it, fascinated by its power.

Her scar no longer felt like a weakness. There was a power in it she hadn’t explored before.

And that power was everywhere. In the tips of her fingers. In the follicles of her hair.

Dark Magic beat in her like a drum and then Inseeli began to crawl out of the earth, waiting for her command.

There was only one word she spoke to them in the burning light.

Kill.

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Mira stretched out her hand, her palm facing the sky, but she felt the power surge from below as more Inseeli crawled from the ground, their long legs writhing out of the earth. Their beak-like mouths were razor-sharp. A clicking sound emerged deep from within their throats.

They obeyed her and attacked the assassins as they shot back Dark Magic spells. But the Inseeli were faster. The sound of flesh tearing and bones snapping filled Mira’s ears. She was in complete control and felt so…calm.

One of the Inseeli made its way to Dawson. Leave him. The demon looked at her and turned around instantly.

Salinger fought an Inseeli while dead Wielders piled up around him. She watched the demons slice through their opponents with ease, tearing them apart piece by piece. One of them bit through a Wielder’s neck, killing him instantly. The Inseeli grabbed its prey and pulled him down into the dark dimensions, and in its stead, a new demon appeared.

She inhaled deeply, filling her lungs with this power, this freedom. I’m invincible.

“Winters,” Dawson’s voice seemed distant. Small. “Winters, look at me.”

She did, and he was beautiful. Almost glowing. His wet hair hung into his face, and his shirt clung to his body. “Tell them to go back,” he said.

What a strange proposition. “Why?”

“It’s too much Dark Magic for you. For anyone.”

Only Salinger remained, bloodied and breathing hard. All of his men had died. He had managed to kill three Inseeli, but there were more, crawling up through the earth, waiting to taste flesh.

“But he needs to die,” she said, staring at Salinger, who threw spells at the Inseeli around him at rapid speed. “It’s only right.” Surely, Dawson must understand. Salinger had to pay. He had to die.

Dawson placed a hand on her arm, and the touch felt strangely warm. “Let me take care of that,” he said. “Please. Ask them back.”

Mira wanted to hear Salinger’s bones break. Hear the sound of his screams.

“Winters,” Dawson said more firmly.

She was about to tell him she didn’t know the spell to recall the Inseeli, when ancient words tumbled from her mouth and the demons screamed. As fast as they had appeared, they returned to the dark dimensions, digging their way back into the earth.

Dawson jumped into action immediately. He threw a shocking spell at the already weakened Salinger, who collapsed. Dawson marched toward him, and the next spell made the assassin press his hands to his temples under agonizing screams, as if his head was going to explode.

Dawson grabbed him by his hair. “I would have given you an easy death, for old times’ sake.” Dawson’s right hand opened, his fingers stretched out wide, and then dark shadows flashed through Salinger’s eyes. His body writhed, and Mira closed her eyes as his screams carried across the river. Then it was silent.