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“But now I know the real reason I’m here,” Declan said, glancing pointedly at the dagger.

Understanding hit Alex and she recoiled, hissing, “Shut up, Declan,” in sync with Bear and Kaiden, who looked torn between fury and fear.

“You know it makes sense,” Declan said. “Youknow, Alex.”

“Shutup, Declan,” Bear snapped again.

“There’s no one waiting for me back home,” Declan continued fervently, like he was trying to convince himself as much as Alex. “My grandfather might be upset, but he’ll get over it quickly enough. And everyone else I care about is right here.” His eyes flicked around their group again, lingering on Bear and Kaiden, before returning to Alex. “If we don’t pass this test, then we’re all as good as dead. So let me do this for you—for all of you. My life in exchange for yours.” With his eyes locked on Alex, he finished quietly, “We both know you won’t survive if any of the others die today. It has to be me.”

Alex shook her head. Then shook it again.

And yet, with shaking fingers, she reached for the dagger.

As beautiful as it was deadly, it fit perfectly in her hand, feeling warm against the clamminess of her skin. She ran a finger lightly down the golden blade, a drop of blood welling on her skin from its sharpness, the sting of pain a welcome distraction.

She may have taken hold of the dagger, but she didn’t move from the centre of the pentagon. She didn’t step in any direction. And she wouldn’t—shecouldn’t.

“Alex, it’s okay,” Declan called quietly, urging her towards him. But still, she remained in place, numbness taking hold of her body.

She didn’t look up from the dagger, she didn’t look towards her friends. From their silence, she knew they understood. Even Bear and Kaiden were no longer telling Declan to be quiet. All of them knew what was at stake; that if she didn’t follow through on the test, if she didn’t kill one of them, then all hope was lost.

But she didn’t want their understanding. She didn’t wantanyof this.

Her numb fingers couldn’t hold the weight of the dagger any longer and she dropped it back onto the stand, the sound like a ringing echo of finality around the clearing.

Looking up at her friends, she stared at each of them before her gaze came to Declan and she whispered, “You’re wrong. I won’t survive ifanyof you die.”

Relieved sounds whooshed out of all her friends, Declan included, and she knew she had made the right call. There was no other choice; if this was her only option, then she would just have to find another way. She wouldn’t sacrifice any of them, shecouldn’tsacrifice any of them. That was a burden she would never be able to live with.

Just as she was about to call out the single word that she knew would end the test—and make their failure official—the lingering hologram of Saefii spoke up.

“I can see you’re torn,” the empress said quietly. “So perhaps there is a way to make your dilemma easier.”

Alex’s already tortured pulse skipped a beat when the ground began to shake and the five Silverwood trees shifted outwards, allowing for a sixth to spring up, turning the pentagon into a hexagon.

A bright surge of light, and suddenly there was someone else in the clearing with them, bound to the newest Silverwood tree with the branches swiftly coiling around her body.

Drawing in a stunned breath, Alex stared at the unresisting form of Zaylin, who was looking back at her with flashing eyes and tight features.

“You must take the life of another, Alexandra, if you wish to pass this test,” Saefii said. “It is up to you to decide who.”

And with that, the hologram of the empress disappeared, leaving Alex alone in the clearing to make a decision that, one way or another, would change the rest of her life.

“Just do it, Alex.”

Four quiet words from Zaylin, but they were enough to make Alex’s legs buckle.

Meeting her silver eyes, Alex just shook her head mutely.

“We both know you’re not going to kill one of your friends,” Zaylin continued in a hard voice. “Just as we both know you can’t risk failing this test.” Her lips twisted. “I’m the perfect solution.”

“Don’t,” Alex breathed, still shaking her head. “Just—Just don’t.”

“You know it’s true,” Zaylin said. “I’m no one to you. I’m just a helper—aservant.”

“You’re not just a servant,” Alex said, her numbness starting to give way as anger settled into place. Anger at Zaylin for her words and her presumptions, anger at Saefii for putting them all in this position to start with, anger at the Gates for their loathsome, despicable task.

“But that’s what I am,” Zaylin continued, relentless. “I’m a servant to my people, just as you are to yours. So pick up the dagger, and make the sacrifice.”