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“Just a little farther,” she says. “It must be.”

And then I see it.

A cart locked on the track. It’s empty, though caked in a black residue.

But behind it, pressed against each wall of the mine—a line of coal. I bend down to examine the line on the right, and that other smell grows stronger. A shiny residue atop the coal.

Oil.

Accelerant?

I remember that word written in Petrik’s notebook.

Temra and I stare at the two lines of coal. They’re thin, extending deeper into the mountain, as far as I can see by the meager torchlight.

“Do we keep going?” I ask.

“No, here’s fine.”

“Nowdo I get to know the plan?”

“Yes. First, you need to light it. Both sides.”

I press the torch against the first line of coal. The oil catches quickly, and the fire snakes down into the tunnel lightning fast, lighting up the path. I do the same with the other side.

I hold my breath, waiting for something to happen. Waiting for Petrik’s plan to become obvious to me.

At least it’s no longer freezing down here. Or so dark.

“Hello, girls.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Kymora has my shield hammer in her left hand, her broadsword in her right. She blocks the only exit out of the mine.

“Ziva, run,” Temra says. “I’ll hold her off. You carry out the plan.”

I still don’t know the plan!And she should know better than to think I would ever let her do that. “I’m not leaving you.”

“She wants you. You need to go.”

Kymora makes a face I can’t quite interpret. “Aren’t we past all this? Trying to flee. Trying to fight. Surely you know by now exactly how that will end.”

I do. Temra dead. Me caught.

“I’m not making weapons for you,” I say. “Just leave me alone!”

“Youwillmake weapons if you wish me to spare the lives of all the prisoners my men have taken. The battle is over. I have won.”

I look to Temra.

“Your sister’s life is already forfeit,” Kymora says. “There’s no escaping that. It’s punishment for what you did to my sword. For all the actions you’ve taken since fleeing your city.”

I swallow. “Please—”

“No. You don’t get to ask for anything. My mind is decided. Come now, and your remaining friends need not die.”

“Petrik—” Temra starts.