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In the blink of an eye, six things happened at once.

Five were the same—the rising of identical Silverwood trees spaced into pentagonal points inside the clearing.

The sixth, however, caused Alex’s stomach to hollow. Because in the centre of the pentagon, barely an arm’s length from where she was frozen to the spot, a small, crystal stand appeared, sparkling with light and reflecting the colours of the wildflowers surrounding them. On top of it rested a single item:

A golden dagger.

“I thought this was the Gate of Love?” D.C. whispered, her tone a mix of confusion warring with unease.

Alex couldn’t even offer a nod of confirmation. All she could do was stare at the golden dagger, fearing it would leap off the stand and come to life.

“Only one of you shall be truly tested today,” Saefii continued, drawing Alex’s gaze from the weapon back to her, “and yet, so will you all be.”

“More freaking riddles,” Declan grumbled. “I wish—”

But whatever he wished, he never got to say, because with a wave of Saefii’s holographic hand, he, Jordan, D.C., Bear and Kaiden all sailed away from Alex only to slam against the five silver trees, one each. The thin lower branches came alive, winding around them like vines until they were trapped at their ankles, at their necks, and at their torsos with their arms pinned to their sides.

It had happened in an instant, too fast even for Alex’s heightened reflexes to intervene. Instead, she could only look on with shock as her five friends were immobilised by the trees around where she stood.

“You have a choice to make today, Alexandra,” Saefii said, gesturing to the dagger. “Love is sacrifice. Therefore, to pass your final test, you must be willing to sacrifice one whom you love.”

All the air fled from Alex’s lungs. “What?”

“It is the ultimate test of your worth,” Saefii continued. “Kill someone you care about, and in doing so, save your entire world.”

Alex’s eyes were wide as she backed away from the dagger. “No. No way.”

But Saefii wasn’t done. “Sacrifice a single life in the name of love, and you will have passedTu’eh Saeron ess Telari. You will have succeeded against the Gates of Testing.” She paused meaningfully. “Sacrifice a single life, and you will have proved worthy enough for our armies to join you in Medora.”

“You’re crazy,” Alex said without hesitating. She couldn’t even look in the direction of her friends. “If you think—If for onesecondyou think—” She broke off, unable to finish.

“Alex.”

She closed her eyes at the quiet call, hoping doing so would mean it wouldn’t come again.

“Alex, maybe—”

“No!” Alex snapped at D.C., not even trying to curb her rage—but the emotion wasn’t directed at her friend. As the royal princess of Medora, D.C. had already proven that she was willing to sacrifice her life for the sake of her people. The first attempt Aven had made to reach Meya, D.C. had stood in his path with Alex, and nearly died for her act of defiance. She loved her people, and she loved her world. But she wasn’t the only one who felt that way.

As Alex drew the courage to look around at the rest of her friends trussed up against the silver trees, despite their pale faces, she could tell that each of them would willingly lay down their life if it meant saving all those they loved. If it meant saving Medora.

But it wasn’t them who had to make the choice—it was Alex. It was her hands that would have to hold the dagger, her hands that would have to make the killing stroke, her hands that would forever be covered in the blood of someone she loved.

Looking from D.C. to Jordan to Bear, then to Declan, and finally Kaiden, Alex’s heart felt like it was crumbling in her chest. What the Gate required of her—it was too much. She couldn’t do it.

… But, if she didn’t do it, then she would fail them all. Everything she’d done—everything they’dallendured—would be for nothing.

“Alex,” Declan called. “Look at me.”

At the quiet command in his voice, she did.

His normally carefree features were solemn as he said, “During the Gate of Strength, you asked me why I’m here. Do you remember?”

Alex nodded, unable to speak around the vice pressing in on her chest.

“I didn’t give you an answer,” he said. “Because I didn’t know myself. Not beyond the obvious.” His eyes flicked to Bear, then to Kaiden, then around at the others. “I came to be with you all, to help in any way I could.”

And he had. He’d been there for all of them, especially Bear.