“And my father . . . my brother?” Lucia’s rage had been replaced by fear. She placed a trembling hand on her belly.

“Gone,” Maria whispered. “The soldiers took them. I don’t know where. The city is in upheaval. So many men have been murdered in the streets in recent nights, their throats cut and their bodies left there to rot. Some wonder if it’s on the empress’s orders, if we’ve somehow displeased her.”

“What about Princess Cleiona?” Jonas asked. His voice held bottomless concern. “Where is she?”

“She left early this morning. I overheard her and the king having a vicious argument. He sent her away. The prince was displeased about that.”

“I’m sure he was,” Jonas muttered.

“Cleo was here?” Lucia asked, stunned.

“Where else would she be?”

“Dead by now, I’d hoped.”

Jonas gave her a dark look. “Just when I start to think you aren’t quite as vicious and disgusting as I thought you were, you say something like that.”

She rolled her eyes. “Oh, please don’t tell me you’re another male Cleo’s managed to seduce with her pretty hair and her helpless act. That would lower you in my regard even more.”

“I don’t give a damn what you think of me.” He took her tightly by her elbow. “We’re leaving. We’ve learned all the information we can here. Much gratitude, Maria. Stay safely inside until all this is over.”

“And when will that be?” the woman asked.

He shook his head. “I wish I knew for sure.”

Outside, Jonas walked quickly, practically dragging Lucia behind him. “We’re going to the tavern,” he gritted out. “We’ll be able to get more information there.”

“And what if someone recognizes me and I get the same reaction as I did from that woman?”

“I suggest not stupidly introducing yourself loudly by name, and we might be able to avoid that.”

“She hated me.”

“I’d think you’d be used to that by now.”

“I am, but . . .” It was suddenly difficult to breathe, the air so warm that Lucia had begun to perspire. “I need to stop a moment. I think I’m going to faint.”

Jonas groaned with exasperation. “We don’t have time for more dramatics.”

“I’m not being dramatic. It’s just so hot out here.”

“It’s not hot in the slightest today.”

“Do you find it hot, little sorceress?” a familiar voice said in her ear. “How strange. Paelsia is usually quite temperate on the western coast at this time of year.”

Lucia froze in place.

“Kyan,” she whispered.

Jonas whipped around to look at her. “Where?”

“I don’t know—I can’t see him. Can you hear him too?”

“Hear him? No. But you can?”

“Yes.” The voice was the same, but it seemed to come from inside her head. He had no form that she could see or sense, other than the sensation of heat enveloping her. Was he able to turn invisible?

“Is this your new traveling companion? He seems . . . lacking. So young, so inexperienced. What a pity that you and I had a falling out.”

Her heart pounded. “You wanted to kill me.”

“You promised me your help, and when the time came, you refused.”

“I won’t be a part of your dark plan.”

“Where is he?” Jonas turned around in a circle, his sword in hand.

“The boy is rather foolish, isn’t he? Does he think that little mortal weapon will have any effect on me?”

Lucia could barely catch her breath. All this time, she hadn’t known what had become of Kyan, despite having nightmares about him every night.

She had to calm herself. She couldn’t let him know that she was now terrified of him.

“What do you want?” she asked.

“Where is he?” Jonas said again.

She glared at him. “He’s no more than a voice, currently. Lower your weapon; you look ridiculous waving that around at nothing.”

Jonas sheathed his sword. “Is it possible you’re imagining things? You could be delirious from the pain. Or are you trying to fool me?”

“No to both questions.” She tried to ignore the rebel, but he wasn’t making it easy for her.

Jonas fisted his hands as if ready to fight the air itself. “Kyan, if you can hear me, if you’re really here, I swear I will end you for what you did to Lysandra.”

Lucia felt a waft of hot air as Kyan laughed. “I almost forgot about that. Tell him that was her fault, not mine. She was far too eager for a taste of my magic that day.”

“You killed his friend,” she snapped. “I agree that he deserves to have vengeance for that.”

“Mortals and their silly need for vengeance. Death is a part of mortal life; nothing will change that for them. Yet I offered you immortality, little sorceress, as your reward for helping me.”

“Helping you to destroy the world, you mean.”

“This world deserves to be destroyed.”

“I disagree.”

“It doesn’t matter what you think. I’m so close now, little sorceress, you have no idea. I don’t need your help after all; I’ve made other arrangements. Everything is aligning perfectly. It’s as if this was meant to be.”