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Taly was a time mage, but it was worse than that. She was a time mage on an island full of dimensional gates, and while they still didn’t know who they were fighting or why, with a time mage, their enemy would be unstoppable. They could go anywhere. Do anything. They could infect countless worlds with nothing to stop them.

The third moon was already shining high above him by the time Skye found his way back to the townhome. He kept his footsteps quiet as he came in the kitchen entrance, taking the servants’ stair back to his quarters on the top floor. He packed a bag, then slipped out of his suit and into a plain shirt, trousers, and a comfortable pair of boots. His armor was still downstairs, but he would grab it on his way to the workshop.

It was time to go. If Taly was a time mage—if that truly was the reason she had left him in Ebondrift—then he didn’t have time to wait around and see if Kato’s offer of help had been sincere. He needed to leave. Tonight.

Skye was halfway down the stairs when he heard his name being called from deeper inside the house. He debated ignoring the voice, but—

Shit. There it was again.

His feet started moving. Better to take care of this now than risk being followed.

The carpets muffled his steps as he found his way down to the third floor, to a small, sitting room he and Taly used to call the “Painted Room.” It was a circular space, flanked with ivory columns, every wall filled with art. Sarina had always said the paintings were supposed to symbolize the soul bond, but, truthfully, he’d neverreally seen it, even if he had always nodded along with her explanations.

The doorway stood open, spilling light into the darkened hallway. As soon as he stepped inside, his stomach sank.

Ivain and Sarina were standing by the fireplace—both dressed in their usual black. But they weren’t the only ones waiting for him. Aiden and Kato were milling about the room as well, both dutifully avoiding his gaze.

It took half a second for Skye to realize he had just landed in deep shit.

“Skye.” Ivain waved him forward. The hardness in his eyes had softened since the last time they spoke. “Come inside. We need to talk.”

“I’m fine where I am,” Skye said carefully.

“This isn’t up for debate,” Sarina said, her voice calm but lethal. She didn’t turn to watch as he slowly stepped inside, already knowing that habit—and maybe a bit of childhood fear—would make him obey.

The door clicked closed behind him.

“Aiden,” Ivain began, glancing at the healer and then back to Skye, “has just told us something very troubling.”

“I can think of a lot of troubling things Aiden could’ve told you.” Skye gave Aiden a pointed look. He’d known this would be an issue, but he didn’t think anyone would try to confront him tonight.

“I had to tell them, Skye,” Aiden said in his defense.

“No, you didn’t,” Skye replied coldly. “We both know how good you are at keeping secrets.”

Aiden flinched at that.

Skye turned to go. “I’m leaving. Right now. But I assume you already knew that. Otherwise,all of you wouldn’t have assembled at such a late hour just to tell me goodbye.”

“You won’t get very far without a horse,” Ivain said, arms crossed as he leaned against a small writing desk. At Skye’s questioning glance, he added, “I’ve already instructed the stable hands to turn you away. With force, if necessary.”

Skye smiled grimly. “I don’t need a horse.” He could run faster, farther. A horse would just slow him down.

Ivain shared a look with Sarina, who still stood beside the mantle, stony and silent. “Boy,” he said, “I know you’re grieving. And I take full responsibility for not realizing just how much. For letting things get this bad. Hopefully, you haven’t done anything yet that can’t be undone.”

“What are you talking about?” Skye asked.

“They know about the books,” Kato said. He looked contrite, dragging his hands through his hair and shifting from foot to foot. “Ivain came looking for you in the workshop and…” He hesitated, eyes pleading. “I’m sorry, I just… I didn’t know what to tell them. Those books were scent tagged—he sniffed them out immediately.”

Skye shook his head. In a room full of friends and family, Kato was the only one on his side.

Maybe he really had gone mad.

“I’m leaving,” Skye said for the final time.

“I will throw you in a cell if that’s what it takes to stop this lunacy,” Ivain hissed.

“Then do it. Arrest me. Throw me behind bars if it makes you feel better about leaving her to die!” Ivain winced, but Skye couldn’t bring himself to regret the words. Not when that thread, that tether, perked awake.