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“What time of day is it?”

Kylo steps closer, trepidation etched across his features. “It’s dinner time.”

I raise a brow. “You came to get me for supper?”

“No. The king says we leave now to clear the grove. I came to grab you so we can head out.”

The look on my best friend’s face tells me there is more to inform on. “What else? What aren’t you telling me?”

Kylo drags a hand over his eyes. “Get dressed and meet me outside. I’ll explain on the way.”

“Kylo… my patience is thin. What is it?” I demand.

He sighs heavily. “Vanna moved up the third trial. They left shortly after you did yesterday.”

Black, blinding rage floods my vision. It consumes every rational thought. I lose control, surrendering to the storm inside. Shadows rip free, tearing books from the shelves and flinging chairs across the room. My room becomes a chaotic, volatile storm. My fury takes form as dark tendrils lash and swirl, destroying everything in their path.

Panting, chest heaving, I stand amidst the maelstrom of my making. I try to quell the shadows, forcing them back inside. Kylo crouches, shielding himself from the debris still flying through the room. With a deep cleansing breath, I command the storm to cease. Everything clatters to the ground followed by a dull, heavy silence.

Kylo rises slowly, disbelief written across his face. I never lose control, never.

“She will be alright, Lukene. She will. She survived the Hollows for years, and she will survive this too.”

I rake a hand over my stubbled face, surveying the wreckage around me. His words settle in. She’ll be alright.

“Alright. Go. I’ll meet you at the carriages.” I wave him toward the door, and he slips out without another word.

Dressing quickly, I step over the debris littering the floor and head to the carriage.

At the carriage, Kylo waits. I send the other guards to the carriage behind us, ensuring we’re alone.

“How did the contestants do during training?” I ask, voice dry, my gaze fixed on the horizon outside.

“The prisoners did well yesterday during training. Reign has strong magic. I think she’s afraid of it, but I can feel it. I sense it.”

I remain silent, watching the trees blur past the carriage window. Why would my sister send me away only to move the trials up? The evening sun dips lower, leaving streaks of orange across the sky.

What if Reign encounters the Sun Split Serpent? What if the curse on the tomb is real? What if the other contestants turn on her? If Elm dies, what would that do to her?

Kylo studies me closely, as if reading every thought racing through my mind.

“We warned her. James and I.” His words snap me out of my thoughts. “Reign, that is.” Of course, he means Reign.

“We warned her about everything—desert pincers, serpents. We told them they had to work together. James even gave her a real dagger and his cloak. We made sure they had supplies for the trial too.”

“What about the curse in the catacombs?” My fingers drum against the leather bench.

“We didn’t mention it since it hasn’t been confirmed to be true.”

My leg bounces involuntarily. The unknown gnaws at me. If I’d been there, I could have warned her. I would have kept an eye on things. That’s why Vanna moved the trials up—she wanted me distracted and unaware, so I wouldn’t be able to help Reign.

Kylo pats my knee. “She’ll be fine, Luke. She’s strong. Smart. Reign thrives—that’s what she does.”

I hate how well he knows me. “It doesn’t matter. I couldn’t care less if she makes it or not. I’m just surprised Vanna moved up the trials without telling me.” I turn back to the window. “She’s up to something, Kylo. I don’t know what, but Vanna is either scheming or trying to punish me.”

“So… you trashed your room over nothing?” Kylo’s mouth quirks in the slightest smile.

I roll my eyes, rubbing the stubble on my jaw.