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“What?”

“If my brother plucked you from your ‘stronghold’ like a feather from the ground, it doesn’t sound sostrongto me. Probably didn’t help that you were intoxicated. I’m pleased he got gold for your capture”—she tapped her chin with a considering look—“but I can’t see that he earned it.”

Face a mask of hate, Silt lurched closer. “I’m going to enjoy this. I vow to the Lore that I will kill Mirceo Daciano. And you’re the bait I’ll use to lure him in.”

Her lips parted. “Madman! You’re playing with forces you don’t understand. That’s an unbreakable vow.” Though her brother was more than a match for this sickened magician, a vow to the Lore could push Silt to supernatural heights of focus and lethality. And he could never stop until the deed was done.

Which meant Mina wouldn’t rest until she’d vanquished this sorcerer, removing the threat. She reached for her sword, grasping only air.

Silt didn’t seem to hear her. “Here you are, in my clutches. Here in hell, for me to torment. After I’ve meted revenge, maybe I’ll dine on you as you’ve dined on so many.”

Insane!When his palms glowed with unknown powers, aggression urged her,Attack!Logic dictated escape. She decided to split the difference. “Come and get me, Silt.”

He lunged for her. Mina sprinted left, quick as a blur.

When he unsteadily pivoted his big build, she sprang to the right. He lurched around to snatch her?—

She bounded up the cave wall. Shoving off for momentum, she twisted in midair to hit his knee with both of her boots.

Crack!

“Ahh! Leech!”

She darted away as he labored to grab her. “Too easy, sorcerer.” Like a hawk dive-bombing a blindfolded bear.

His palms sparked light, dampening her sense of victory. A Sorceri king meant he was an alpha among his kind. Until she figured out the extent of his abilities, she should probably run.

Whirling around, she sprinted out of the cave. All she had to do was make it to the lava field she’d spied. Despite his age, Silt could never match her speed through that maze of flames, not in his condition.

Limping after her on bare feet, he yelled, “I will catch you!”

She yelled back, “Better hope not!” She ran down a winding path flanked by charred boulders, swiftly putting distance between them. With each mile closer to that maze, the temperature increased, wind gusts carrying acrid heat.

As she sped over jagged terrain, Mina formulated four goals.

Evade the sorcerer’s immediate threat. Escape this place. Find a cure. Whenever the opportunity arises, kill Silt Harea.Once she had recovered her equilibrium here, she would strike, taking his long life.

Anything for her brother. Though Mirceo was arrogant at times, he was also steadfast and loving. He’d raised her, sacrificing everything to keep her safe within the perilous halls of Castle Dacia. Now she could finally return the favor.

As Mina ran, her mind turned to the past, to a night in the Castellan wing, when she’d been four and her brother had been sixteen. . . .

Mirceo tucked her into her warm bed, saying, “Sweet dreams, Mina.”

But she took his hand to stay him. “Wait. Brother, why do we have no parents?”

He tried for a smile, yet it didn’t reach his gray eyes. “You know why. They perished—our mother, just one year ago.” He’d sat on the side of Mina’s bed and smoothed her hair behind her ear. “We are the last of the House of Castellan.”

“But our parents were immortal and out of danger of falling ill. What could have killed them?” She had heard servants whisper that other members of the extended royal family had murdered them, leaving two orphans—the young scion of a once mighty house and the vampling princess.

Mirceo’s brows drew together as he tried to hide his sorrow. Voice gruff, he said, “We’ll talk more about our parents when you are older.”

Older. “Will we live to adulthood?” The servants had speculated against that possibility.

“Of course we will!” Mirceo pinned her gaze with his own, communicating his boundless love. “I will keep you safe. Little sister, I willalwaystake care of you.”

Before she’d drifted off, Mina had asked him one last question that had clearly stumped him, one he’d left unanswered?—

Her recollection faded away once she reached the edge of the vast lava field. In the dark, the volcano and its rivers resembleda monster with burning veins; to survive in this place, she must reach its heart and then beyond.