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“Signa tells me you have some colourful thoughts, Jordan Sparker, scattered as they are,” Aven said. “I’m curious, did you enjoy your visit to my city? Was Meya everything you expected it to be?”

Alex felt the blood drain from her face as she looked at Jordan. To his credit, he didn’t react to the Meyarin’s words. But the damage was done.

“How is my family, Alexandra?” Aven asked, turning to her. “Do they miss me?”

“You’re disinherited,” she reminded him. “I know it’s a big word, but FYI, it means they’re not your family anymore. Buy yourself a dictionary.”

Aven’s glorious face darkened and he stepped so close that she almost moved backwards until she remembered that she was meant to be stuck to the spot.

“Donotspeak to me that way,” he hissed.

She stared straight into his eyes. “I’ll do whatever I want, Aven. Because. I.Can.”

He growled at her—actuallygrowled—before something caught his attention, prompting him to look towards the entrance of the room. He turned back to Alex with a menacing smile that caused her to shiver with apprehension.

“You have brave friends,” he said. “Foolish, but brave.”

She felt a moment of confusion before the doors burst open and Kaiden and Declan sprinted into the room. Kaiden had the Stabiliser out and immediately started shooting, but after only four shots—leading to four unconscious people—Calista reached out her hand and the weapon soared from his grasp to land in hers. A split second later, both boys flew through the air and landed next to Jordan. The four of them were standing together, frozen in a row.

“Kaiden James and Declan Stirling, my prince,” Signa announced. “They also go to the academy. But this one I can’t read, nor could I break into his mind earlier today at the Soori Outpost.”

Signa pointed at Kaiden, and Aven’s face turned pensive.

“I’ve heard of you, Kaiden James,” the Meyarin said. “You’re Master Athora’s talented protégé, correct? How long have you been studying under him?”

When Kaiden didn’t answer, Aven stepped closer to him. “I asked you a question. Answer me.”

Kaiden held Aven’s stare but his mouth remained closed. In the blink of an eye, the Meyarin threw his arm forward until it made contact with Kaiden’s torso, causing him to slam violently backwards and onto the floor, his legs bent at the knees and his feet firmly stuck to the floor.

“Hey!” Declan cried, trying unsuccessfully to break free of his captivity and help his friend.

Aven stood over Kaiden and stared down at him. “I’ll ask one more time. How long have you studied under Master Athora? He’s managed to evade me for many years and I’d thought him long dead, but I’ve recently discovered that’s not true, is it? So, answer my question, human, or you won’t live to hear another.”

Kaiden glared rebelliously up at Aven, and Alex felt her heart beat wildly in her chest at his show of defiance.

When it was clear he wasn’t going to answer, Aven shrugged carelessly and said, “Pity.”

Alex watched in dismay as he unsheathed a long, sharp weapon from his belt and raised it in the air. Even then Kaiden didn’t flinch, but everything blurred around Alex and she wondered if she was about to pass out.

When Aven’s sword slashed downwards to strike Kaiden, Alex reacted instinctively and jumped forward, throwing her hands out—hands that now held a long, ice-coloured blade. The weapon was slightly different from when she’d last seen it; not a dagger this time, but the length of a short sword. The two blades collided barely a foot away from Kaiden’s neck, and Alex had to brace herself to hold up against the Meyarin’s strength.

Aven pulled his weapon back quickly, his face startled, before he chuckled darkly. “It seems I’ve underestimated your gift yet again, Alexandra. I had believed your ability was limited to guard against mental manipulation, but it appearsyou’re protected against physical gift coercion as well. How… fortunate for you.”

He glared over at Calista and the woman looked shamefully to the ground as if it was her fault for not keeping Alex held captive.

“I won’t underestimate you a third time,” Aven told Alex.

She held his gaze and maintained her defensive position. Only then did he glance down and notice the weapon in her hands.

Aven’s eyes widened in surprise. He barked out an incredulous laugh before he held out his hand palm-first and said, “A’enara, come.”

Alex couldn’t keep thewhat-the-hell-are-you-doing-you-weirdo?expression off her face, and she wondered, not for the first time, if he reallywasinsane. Just what she needed—an immortal, psychotic megalomaniac. Perfect.

“A’enara,” Aven repeated, his voice filled with authority. “Come.”

Still, nothing happened.

“It’s not possible,” Aven whispered, looking from the icecoloured blade to Alex’s face and back again.