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Reaching for her wine, she asked lightly, “Why do you sound so shocked?”

I shrugged awkwardly. “Probably because, I dunno...maybe because you’re centuries old, I’m eighteen, and it’s like getting mad at a baby?”

She laughed. “Oh, Lady Zari. You of all people should know that love has the power to make children of us all. Brats really, withthe way it can make us selfish, greedy, and...” Her voice lowered a notch. “Shameless.”

My cheeks burned at the subtle dig, but I didn’t deny it. Ihadbeen shameless in the way I had blown up on Alexandru, and I would only act more like a kid if I couldn’t make myself accept that.

I said stiffly, “That’s not what I want to talk about.”

“I know.”

Again, she surprised me. “Y-you do?”

She nodded. “It’s been clear to me from the first day that you’re the type who dislikes confrontations.”

I tried not to grimace.

“You’re the type who’d rather suffer in silence than admit someone’s hurt you.”

“Congratulations then,” I said flatly. “You’ve got me all figured out.”

Her lips curved. “I do.” She paused. “Which is why I also know the only reason you’d want to talk to me is because of your visions.” Her eyes remained steady on me as she asked, “You’ve seen me, haven’t you?”

“Yes.” I was pale and shaking in my seat, doing my best not to remember, doing my best not to surrender to the crushing weight of guilt.

Silence.

“And it’s not good.”

Her voice was so calm. How could she sound so calm when I realize now that she really had figured me out, that she knew what I had to say even without me speaking a word?How?

“I’m sorry.” I choked the words out.

“I doubt it’s your fault.”

I shook my head. “You don’t understand—-”

“No, Lady Zari. It’s not your fault.” Her voice turned gentle, and I remembered then that she wasn’t just the woman who I was jealous of. She was also a hunter, bound to protect the innocent, and a healer, committed to saving lives.

I remembered that she was a good person, and it was because of me a good person like her would die.

“I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.” My voice was thick with unshed tears. If Katarina weren’t going to seek comfort in tears, then I wouldn’t either.

“Lady Zari, I mean it. I’ve been around long enough to know the truth. If Death wishes to claim me, it will, and there’s no stopping it.”

“I n-never wished you were dead, Lady Katarina. I’d never—-”

“I know.” She paused. “Do you...do you knowwhenit might happen?” She held her hand out as she asked, which showed just how much she knew about soul seers.

Shakily, I reached out to grasp her hand.

BURNING HOT, THE FLAMESdancing, rejoicing as it reached new heights and turned the world into orange.

Everywhere, it was orange.

In the distance, I saw the school.

I ran towards it even as the walls of the school crumbled, one after another. It was falling apart before my eyes, the roof crashing down, the floors giving out, and—-