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When Dad and Ardvaen grabbed Ash, Rae clutched him tighter, refusing to let go.

“I’m done with these games, girl.” Cornaith lifted his hand, blue frost magic swirling around his fingertips.

No. No, no, no.

Ezra and Cyn moved at once, rushing the slab as I pushed to my feet and followed. Before we could reach Rae, another shockwave—more powerful than the others—erupted, hurling everyone near the slab back and dropping the rest.

Rae’s neck bowed, straining until a shriek split the air as the binding on her vocal cords snapped.

Spirits crowded the barrier, moaning and wailing, answering Rae’s distressed cry.

Lymsrana helped Amra to her feet, eyes wide as she looked at the spirits. “The barrier is weakening!”

Cornaith flared power across the clearing, shoring up the barrier and muffling the spirits’ wails.

“We must get them out of here,” Ardvaen said, motioning to the guards who staggered to their feet, finally regaining consciousness. “Take the princes to Elyrdin. It’s no longer safe here.”

“No!” I shoved a guard away as he tried to grab my arm. “I’m not leaving her!”

Cornaith’s eyes narrowed on me, but I didn’t care. Not now.

“I’m not leaving, Dad.” Cyn crossed over to my side.

“This is not up for debate, boys.” Cornaith looked at Ezra and the guards. “Take them and go.”

Ezra’s jaw ticked. His gaze fell to the slab where Rae didn’t move, eyes shut as she panted heavily. He looked at Cornaith again.

“Will you defy me too, Son?”

Ezra approached, and I couldn’t tell whether to pull us away or stand with us. I didn’t have time to ask. The next moments blurred into chaos I didn’t understand.

Dad reached for Rae’s head again, but this time her eyes snapped open. He staggered back. “Cornaith!”

Ezra stopped, and we watched Rae’s shackles crack and crumble like chalk, sifting into the mist.

Rae sat up, drawing Ash to her chest.

Then I saw it.

Black veins spread across her face like a spiderweb from obsidian eyes. Bloody tears ran down her cheeks, dripping from her chin onto Ash’s face.

I grabbed Cyn’s arm, needing an anchor. “What’s happening to her?”

“I don’t know, but we can’t get closer. Do you feel it?”

I froze. He was right. If I moved too far forward, the pressure in the air became unbearable. Getting closer would trigger another shockwave.

Ezra crossed to us. “We need to get her out of here if we can.”

I looked at him with wide eyes. “So you believe it now?”

“It doesn’t matter what I believe. This is too much,” he said, eyes locked on Rae.

The skin around Cyn’s eyes tightened. “Look at her eyes.”

“Just like yours,” I breathed, unable to hide my awe.

“Why is she crying blood?” He looked at Ezra. “What are those lines? It looks like the Void shadows that marks your body.”