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I kept myself from flinching, shocked at how violent his outburst had been, especially toward people that had risked their own lives to save him and the rest of the animalia. I should have learned from Centipede and Spider that the animalia of stories were not the creatures I would meet in reality.

But, perhaps that was exactly why they were how they were in stories. In the north, they told the story of Ox, who took offense when a human maid refused to sleep with him. For the insult, he carved a valley where her village lay, tearing the earth to the edge of a lake. Then, with one last push, he flooded the valley, creating a new river and annihilating her people.

“Then we will ally permanently with the people of the Ariphadeus, the goblin tribes that live in the sands,” Tallu said. His eyes moved to the goblin council. “And you will assist our men in defeating Bemishu.”

“We do not have leave to speak for all of the goblins in the desert. The Imperium has offended some much more than others,” Zoigei said, but he sounded thoughtful, and his eyes drifted to Owl.

She waved her hand, dismissing them. “Do as you will, as long as this attempt at peace does not affect your promise to us.”

Zoigei dipped his chin, turning to the other members of the council. One by one, they nodded. “Then we are in agreement.”

“Good. We will take this one and bring him to his destiny. The rest of you may leave.” Owl stood, her chair moving silently across the floor.

Tallu stood as well, his eyes hard. “You may not take him anywhere without⁠—”

But it was too late. Fox jumped from her chair, standing directly on the table, laughing as she clapped her hands twice. Orange light flowed out of her, wrapping around everyone. Tallu, the rest of the imperials, and the goblins disappeared at her second clap. Their chairs sat empty, and I stood, reaching for where Tallu had been, but my fingers passed through empty air.

“What did you do?” I demanded.

Fox smirked at me, saying nothing. Up close, I could see the fine red fur on her skin that disappeared in the light, and she stalked toward me, sniffing the side of my face and hair. Her breath smelled like meat, but something about her reminded me of winter forests and a hunt that came back with caribou.

“They are not your destiny,” Owl said.

“You keep talking about my destiny, but Spider never told me anything about this.” I glared, trying to remember that I was talking to the animalia, but it was impossible to feel anything but annoyance at their refusal to acknowledge me as a person and not a tool. Tallu had taught me I was more than that, and I would not be turned back into a weapon wielded by someone else.

“Spider.” Ox shook his head, and I saw his massive neck shifting, his whole body moving as a massive beast might move. The human version of him was tall and strong, but I could wrap my arms around his neck. In his animalia form, I couldn’t even try. “She lives among the elves and thinks to replace the One Dragon in her affection for people. I pity her. Even her magic has been affected by how highly she prizes mortals.”

“We have heard of you. We heard you when you first entered our chamber. And before that, we knew you would come. It is time. If it is true that this imperial general marches on our realm, then we have little time. You are destined to protect us. We have seen what you can do and it is time.” Owl looked over at Fox and the animalia grinned, showing sharp teeth and her narrow mouth. She clapped her hands twice, and her orange light spun around me. When I reached out to touch it, it burned my fingers.

Then I was in darkness. It was so dark that it took me a moment to recognize I was not alone. Statues rose above me, taller than my head and growing larger still.

As my eyes adjusted, I saw what they were: animalia. They spiraled in an enormous circle, and I took a step forward, but before I touched the statue of Ox, he opened his eyes, snorting out steam, his eyes blazing.

Stepping away from him, I followed the spiral. My head hurt, aching, and I remembered this place. I remembered it from a long time ago. Or not so long. I remembered it from when Kacha had first stolen my magic from me. I remembered coming to this place and hearing a voice.

I followed the spiral, and as I passed each of them, the animalia awoke around me. Fox. Owl. Sea Serpent.

I passed a statue of Centipede, but it had crumbled, chunks of it falling to pieces and when I reached out, it was cold to the touch. Spider stood tall, her statue complete, but she did not come to life when I passed her. I didn’t dare touch her. What if the action brought her here, where she clearly didn’t wish to be?

Then I was in the center of the spiral, and I frowned down at the empty space. It was large, and the stone was worn inward, as though something had lain curled there. When I put my hand on the space, the stone was warm to the touch.

I rubbed my palm across the smooth surface, trying to remember what had been there in my vision, what I had seen. Everything shuddered, my eyes moving back and forth, unable to focus in more than glimpses. I found myself unable to think.

“Stay still. This will hurt.” Owl’s warning rang out through the quiet room.

Then the darkness was suddenly lit with brilliant colors. They pierced the ceiling, exposing an endless expanse of stars above. I followed the light with my eyes, until it reached a pinnacle, all of it touching, turning into a rainbow globe.

I had only a moment to frown at the circle of light, because then it was bigger—growing in size until it took up the entire expanse of my vision.

Then it was on me, pushing into my chest, shoving its way through.

Learning ice magic, learning fire magic, even learning forest magic had all been mental at first. I learned the concept, and then was able to practice.

This was the reverse. My brain burned, exactly the same feeling I had when Kacha’s man had electrocuted me. My skull hurt, feeling like it was going to explode, and my heart beat so fast that I had to gasp and fall to my knees, my hands resting on the warm stone.

I vomited, all the food and water I had consumed coming up in a burning sensation.

My skin burned, my vision going white, and I could not feel the stone under my fingers.