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“Of course I can save him. I’m the Wizard of Oz!”

Tin nods.

“Wait.” I step forward. “Let me—”

But when Tin glances up, there is distance in his gaze, as if he can barely stand to look at me. “You’ve done enough.”

And suddenly, they are gone.

THIRTY-FOURGabriel

Gabriel can’t breathe.

His hands are cold. No, his paws.

He has shifted again and taken refuge in the vessel of a lion. He feels safe in the lion and yet he is not saved.

He’s lifted up and settled on a table.

The light above him is blinding and his eyes burn from it, tears leaking from the corners.

“Do something,” Silas says.

“We need to remove the axe,” the Wizard says.

“He’ll bleed out. Isn’t there some magical workaround?”

There’s a pause.

A grumble.

“Hey, asshole!” Silas shouts.

The Wizard exhales. “I can’t seem … my magic…”

“Don’t fucking tell me that. Not now!”

“Someone turn down the fucking lights!” the Wizard shouts, but if there is anyone there, they either don’t hear him or don’t move fast enough.

The lights blaze.

“Do something,” Silas pleads again.

“I’m trying to think.”

“You’re the Great and Powerful Wizard, are you not?”

“Silas—”

“Don’t fucking call me that! You stole your name from me. You don’t get to keep mine.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, you’re not.”

“Stop…” Gabriel says.

They stop.