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I spun around, snarl twisting my lips. The woman had been moved in with the other prisoners, and was huddled in the back of the cage, eyes wide with shock.

Forsaken HELLS!! I just —

I —

No. I was so close.Wewere so close.

Don't think. Don't feel. Just obey.

Just. Obey.

"I — I'll need a day to —"

"No," Frexin interrupted. "We are doing this tonight. If you choose quickly, I can send someone to fetch the bait from the fortress. Otherwise, you've failed me, and I will not be freeing anyone. And I'll keep my promise … for more harsh lessons."

My stomach twisted. I was going to be sick.

Trapped. I was trapped.

"So, who do you choose?" she asked. "If it were me, I'd choose the bitch who made your life hell on the ship. But maybe you need less connection. How about a prisoner at random? Or … maybe, if you ask nicely …" she leaned closer. "I might even let you choose Holden. I can funnel my corruption into someone healthy, and I think he'd corruptquitenicely."

She what?!My gaze fell to the pendant on her chest. The one with a stone at the center so similar to the one that had been in my back — but much larger. Strong enough to hide a korra so corrupted it could change others …

My eyes burned as I turned to watch the widow, shaking with sobs. She looked at me, expression broken.

That crushing wave of guilt crashed over me again… blue eyes staring up at me … blood on my hands …

"I know it hurts, Kaiya, but by choosing one, you will save many. This will save them!"

Choose one? Choose whose blood to spill?

Why did I have to?

WHY did I have to fucking choose?!

Something inside me that had been bending and bending and bending finally snapped!

Uncle Maderoth.

The cultists in Gleyma.

That girl in Karemi.

The body mages hurt in their stronghold.

The prisoners who I'd bonded.

That lifeless blue-eyed man … who'd died in my arms.

And now …

Now, the man who'd I'd convinced to volunteer … dead somewhere out there on the side of the road.

I would NEVER be able to save them … not while that gloved hand held a fucking knife!

I spun to face Frexin, hands clenched at my sides, cheeks hot. "WHY are youdoingthis?!" I cried. "Why try SO hard to make me choose? What does it fucking matter?"

"Damnit, Kaiya!" Frexin snapped, steely eyes narrowing. "I am TRYING to help you! Yourefuseto accept reality, but you need to understand that in order to win in this world — in order to heal what is broken, you MUST harden your heart and wade through blood unburdened!"