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Alex’s lips twitched at the very idea, certain D.C.’s shrieks would be heard all the way back in Medora. “What about the Tia Aurans? What’s your read on them?”

D.C. shrugged. “I think they’re haughty and proud, and I think they could have decided whether or not they’d help from the moment they met us, rather than making us play whatever game they’re lording over. These Gates…” She shook her head. “Something about them doesn’t feel right. I can understand why they’d want to know if we have strength and courage before aiding us in our war, but a Gate of Secrets? How does that prove anything about ourselves? All it did was pullusapart. And then there were the other options we didn’t go through.” She paused. “What were they again?”

Alex wracked her mind. “Hope, Reason, Dreams, Fears, Shame and Temptation.”

“Even those don’t make sense,” D.C. said. “Why would a Gate of Dreams or Hope or Shame have any bearing on whether or not we’re worthy of them joining us in Medora?”

Alex didn’t have an answer for her. All she could think to say was, “Maybe they just want to see how we react under pressure? As you said, the Gate of Secrets pulled us apart, testing our friendship more than anything. So maybe it wasn’t so much about revealing our secrets—mysecrets—as it was seeing how we would survive the aftermath? Whether we’re strong enough in character to stand against an enemy from within.”

D.C. considered for a moment, reaching for another candy. “That’s a good point. But still, I think six tests are unnecessary.”

“One for each of us,” Alex reminded her.

“But they’re not,” D.C. returned. “Not really. You heard what Saefii said—they consider you to be the representative from Medora, so the focus of the tests is on you. We’re just here to provide moral support.” She offered a crooked smile. “While trying not to die in the process.”

Alex sighed. “I don’t see why they can’t make these challenges more equal and share the pressure around. I get a Gate, you get a Gate, Jordan gets a Gate… everyone has their own test. This feels way too much likeThe Alex Show.”

D.C. snickered and said, “Yeah, but when has it not beenThe Alex Show? Ever since you arrived in Medora, that’s been your default setting. Face it, you’re the worst kind of attention seeker there is.”

Gaping at her friend, Alex grabbed a cushion and threw it into D.C.’s laughing face. If anything, it just made her laugh even louder.

“You’re a horrible best friend,” Alex grumbled.

“If by horrible you mean wonderful, then yes, you’re right, I’m amazing,” D.C. returned, shameless. But then she sobered and said, “Speaking of best friends, I’m worried about Bear.”

“Me too,” Alex said quietly. “He’s putting up a good front, but…”

D.C. nodded her agreement, before saying, “Jordan’s doing what he can, just being there for him, but I think having Declan here is what’s really helping.”

Alex looked at her in question. “WhyisDeclan here? Not that I mind, it’s just… He’s never really hung out with us as a group before.”

Sending her a sly look, D.C. said, “Nor has Kaiden.”

Heat touched Alex’s cheeks, and her eyes flicked quickly towards his door, making sure it was sealed. “That’s different.”

D.C. grinned, but only said, “With everything that happened between Jordan and me—”

“You mean how you started making out in every spare moment you could?”

“—Bear gave us some space—”

“I can’t imagine why he’d want to miss that.”

“—and he spent some of that time with Declan,” D.C. finished over Alex’s interruptions, spearing her with an unamused look. “The two of them got… close.”

“Close?” Alex repeated, wondering just how close she meant.

D.C. understood her implication but only shrugged. “Not sure. I think they’re just friends—good friends. But who knows?” She shrugged again. “Either way, I doubt Bear is thinking about anything other than his dad right now. Just trying to get through it all, day by day.”

Alex made a sound of agreement, placing another candy on her tongue. “He’s probably worried about the rest of his family, too,” she said, recalling the future vision she’d seen of the Ronnigans perishing in the war, Bear included. Already that vision had been proved false, since William hadn’t had a chance to be strung up and left for dead—she only hoped itremainedfalse for everyone else.

“I think we’re all worried about our families,” D.C. said quietly. “I know I am.”

Alex reached out and placed a hand on her friend’s arm. She thought about her own parents, safely locked away in the Library, but regardless, she still couldn’t help fearing for them. Aven, she knew, was able to access the Library—thanks toher—so nowhere wastrulysafe. No hidden environment, no other world. Until the Rebel Prince was defeated, no one was free from his reach.

“Your parents have a whole palace full of people watching out for them,” Alex reminded gently. “Plus General Drock and General Tyson and the armies they command. And don’t forget all the Wardens, including Nisha and Jeera. They—”

“Since when didCommanderNisha become simplyNishato you?” D.C. interrupted, her fear vanishing like a puff of smoke as her focus zoomed in on Alex with obvious glee.