She let out a choking sob and stopped attacking Jets defenses. An image of a full moon and a long howl filled her mind"sweet freedom. Then she saw a bright image of Chrome that faded slowly, slowly, until it was gone, along with Jets life.

You failed. Reapers voice sounded strange, triumphant but underscored with disappointment. But it was an impressive display. Youll never be able to channel the power you possess"youre too weak. But with the right mentor, perhaps Valeries magic still sizzled inside her, begging to be unleashed. Her grief morphed into fury, and she lashed out with a punch that was so fast that it should have left Reaper unconscious. But the world seemed to turn on its axis"up was down, left was right. She was disoriented.

I can see that before we can accomplish anything together, you will need to be broken. Only then can you be remade into something I can use, Reaper said, unfazed by her attack.

Valerie regained her bearings and turned on her heel, preparing to execute a jump kick. But gravity seemed to suddenly increase, pinning her to the ground. Crushed by its invisible hand, she fell to her knees.

Exactly where you belong, Reaper said. The pain she had experienced when he came to her in her dream returned, a stinging burn that felt as if she was dissolving, like Jet, molecule by molecule.

She refused to let him see how much it hurt, gritting her teeth and struggling against the force that pinned her down. It had to be in her head"something psychic like Sanguinas or Anis powers.

In the corner of her eye, she registered that someone was running toward them, someone with streaming white hair. Oberon hurled himself against Reaper. Valerie thought the groundskeeper had lost his mind, but then she realized that the window in the air Reaper had created to Jets cell was still open. The force of the impact sent both Reaper and Oberon toppling through the opening. How had he even seen it, blind as he was?

Run! Oberon yelled at her. Then the window vanished, and she was alone.

Valerie raced through the woods as Oberon had commanded. She burst from the trees and tripped on a rock, landing face-first onto the ground. The pain was minor, but she couldnt stand. Instead she curled into a ball and let out a sob. She began to shake, realizing the enormity of what had happened. Jet was dead, and she couldnt imagine Oberon surviving his encounter with Reaper.

The echoes of Jets scream wouldnt leave her mind, and she began second-guessing herself. Why had she let him die? Chrome would never forgive her. Shed never thanked him, never said she was sorry for being too late to save him.

Valerie was unraveling, tempted to give in to the grief and pain. Pain was what she deserved, and in a way, it would be a relief to suffer for her mistakes. But she couldnt fall apart yet. There was still a chance that she could save Darling"and maybe even Oberon"if she acted quickly.

She remembered the box that Gideon had shown her in her mind to hold her pain, the same way Dasan had boxed away her worry for a night. She imagined pouring all of her grief and guilt into that box and locking it tight. Once this was all over, she would let herself open it.

With a new resolve, she forced herself to stand and continue away from the forest. She had to find directions to Dunsinane. As she focused, she saw Sanguina hobbling toward her as fast as she could with her prosthetic leg, panting from the effort.

Oberon made it in time, Sanguina said, shutting her eyes and taking a deep breath.

You sent him? Valerie asked in disbelief.

Sanguina lowered her eyes as if she were ashamed. I know what youre thinking"I should have confronted Reaper myself. But without my vampyre powers, without my leg, I knew Id be no match and wed both die. Oberon is the only friend I have left that I could ask this kind of favor.

Valerie shook her head. Its not that. I never believed you would do anything to really help me.

I would do much more, Sanguina replied.

Oberons as good as dead, isnt he? Valerie asked, her voice wobbling.

Sanguina shook her head. No. They were allies in the past, and Oberons magic is a force to be reckoned with. Reaper will try to regain his loyalty first. If that fails, he will break him. But Oberon is strong. We can save him.

We?

Yes. Youll never find the Black Castle without me. I will be your guide.

Valerie took a shuddering breath as she examined her old enemy. All she saw was sincerity in Sanguinas eyes.

Thank you, Valerie said. Lets go. Point the way.

Well need help. Reaper has assembled an army. Most of them are scattered around the Globe on missions, but a core defense remains to protect the Black Castle. Even with all your power, we wont even make it through the front door without a team to support us.

It went against everything in her not to immediately set out to rescue Oberon and Darling, but she couldnt deny the logic of Sanguinas words. Was there any chance that this was a delay tactic? She had to decide right now whether she could trust Sanguina.

Well gather the Knights, she said.

Chapter 31.

Valerie was tempted to skip the long explanations that she owed Henry, Midnight, Dulcea, Kanti, and Cyrus. She didnt have time to waste. But it would be a betrayal to leave them in the dark now, when her reason for secrecy had ended with Jets life.

So she returned home first and sent Sanguina ahead of her to the Guardians and Knights. Midnight was already at her Guild, so Valerie brought Henry over to the Imaginary Friends dorm and told them everything.

You have to understand, I couldnt have lived with myself if I was the reason that Reaper murdered Jet, Valerie choked a little on the words.

Its okay, Henry said gently.

Youre sorry and youve suffered more than you should ever have to, Kanti agreed.

You all need to keep me informed on whats going on. Its my job to keep you safe, Dulcea added, her tone motherly.

No more lying, Cyrus said. It was the first time he had spoken since she began telling her story. From now on we fight whatevers coming as a team.

Okay, Valerie said, and Kanti and Henry nodded.

Cyrus shook his head, not satisfied with their responses. We have to swear it. You especially, Valerie. No more self-sacrifice without telling us first.

I swear.

Swear on Pathos, Cyrus said.

Valerie couldnt hide her surprise at his stubbornness. It wasnt like him to be serious for long. But she drew Pathos out of its scabbard and gripped the hilt with the blade facing down.

I swear on Pathos that we are a team and there will be no lies between us, she said formally.

Cyrus nodded his approval and placed his hand over hers. I swear, too.

Kanti and Henry echoed his words and put their hands over hers as well. Dulcea smiled at the four friends indulgently, stepping back to let them make their pact. But her eyes widened with surprise when an unexpected hum of magic filled the room. It seemed to radiate from Pathos itself. Tendrils of light weaved out of the sword like threads, binding their hands together.

Cy, are you doing this? Valerie whispered. He shook his head. I didnt think so.

The hum stopped and Cyrus, Henry, and Kanti pulled back.

Look, Valerie whispered, examining the blade.

Etched into the surface were words and symbols that hadnt been there before, in a language as foreign as the hieroglyphics shed seen in the Great Pyramid in Egypt.

Does anyone know what this means? Kanti asked. They all shook their heads.

Dulcea stepped closer and examined the blade. Its an old language"one of the original languages that has faded away over the centuries since Conjurors came to the Globe.

I bet Azra could read it, Cyrus said.

Valerie sheathed Pathos.

We keep hearing that something big is coming, but this is the first time Ive really believed it, Kanti said.

A battle. And were going to be in it, Henry agreed, his eyes a little glassy. His mind was open, and Valerie could feel his certainty in what he was saying"and his fear. She saw the face of the girl who had delivered his prophecy, but before she could make sense of the words tumbling from her lips into Henrys ear, his mind abruptly closed to her. No lies, perhaps, but there were still secrets.

Youre still kids. You belong in your Guilds, safe. Not on a battlefield, Dulcea said, but it sounded more like a wish than a command.

I dont think were going to have a choice, Valerie said.

Shes right. Clearly the Globe needs a hero, and Im ready, Cyrus deadpanned. Now that I have my trusty sidekicks, of course.

His joke worked, breaking the tension as they laughed harder than the quip deserved.

Lets get to work, Valerie said as their giggles subsided. Her battle with Reaper had put something in motion that wasnt going to end any time soon.

Valerie stopped by Midnights office at the Guardians Guild next and confessed the truth about the morning. The Grand Master was utterly still as she listened to the story.

And Reaper"whoever he truly is"works with Zunya? Then he must be a madman, Midnight said.

Ive no doubt about that, Valerie agreed. But its time to fight back. Sanguina has agreed to take us to the Black Castle. Were going to finish this. Its the only way to stop the Excision anyway, like you always said.

Midnight nodded slowly. With the right group of Knights and a couple of key Grand Masters, this could be a chance to hit the Fractus hard. Ill come with you, of course.

Valerie couldnt hide her relief. Thank you.

I wish there was a way to convince you and your friends to stay behind, but I think my words would be wasted, Midnight said, a spark of humor lighting her eyes briefly before vanishing just as quickly. Youre too young to put your lives at stake.

There isnt another way anymore, Valerie said. Did it made her a coward that part of her wished that she could be a kid and let the adults handle everything?

But she knew that the time for stepping back had passed. She needed to accept that she was involved in"and maybe even leading"this charge. It was the heaviest responsibility shed ever shouldered.

Valerie hurried to the Knights of Light, expecting to find the Guild in an uproar, but it was surprisingly calm when she arrived. She saw a few apprentices training in the courtyard, but no one seemed to be mobilizing for the mission at hand.

She hurried to Kellens office, keeping an eye out for Gideon and Chrome along the way. At the thought of Chrome, the box holding her grief and guilt threatened to open and overwhelm her. She swallowed the lump in her throat and forced herself to think about tactics instead.

Kellens door was shut, and she banged loudly on it.

Its open! Kellen called out, clearly annoyed. She turned the handle and rushed in. Well, what is it?

Havent you heard"didnt Sanguina tell you? Valerie stuttered.

Kellens eyes narrowed, and she had a sudden fear that Sanguina had betrayed her after all. What do you know about Sanguina?

She helped save me from Reaper, and shes willing to act as our guide to Dunsinane. We can finally storm the Black Castle and save Darling and Oberon! Hes there, too.

Kellen flew close to her. He was much smaller than she, but he suddenly seemed very threatening. Lies. We knew she had to have someone helping her spy on the Grand Masters. I never would have thought, after everything she did to you and your brother, that it would be you.

What are you saying?

Sanguina is under arrest for treason.

Valerie stumbled back. It cant bewe need her to help us! We have to get to the Black Castle now, and shes the only one who can guide us there.

I have reason to believe that Darling isnt a captive in the castle at all, and the rest of her story"and yours"is a lie.

That isnt true!

Relinquish your weapon, Kellen commanded.

No, Valerie said, backing toward the door. She bumped into something solid. Gideon.

Do as he says, Gideon commanded.

Shock made her mind cloudy. You dont believe me?

Kellen is our Guild Grand Master and his word is final. Leave Pathos and come with me.

You heard him, Kellen said in a superior tone.

Valerie wasnt sure she could fight Kellen alone, never mind Kellen and Gideon. Would she have to go to Dunsinane weaponless with only her friends and no guide? Their mission would be doomed before it even began.

Her eyes connected with Gideons, and she saw a spark there that gave her hope. She did as he said and laid her weapon next to Kellens tiny desk. Gideon wordlessly escorted her out the door.

He didnt speak until they had walked beneath the arches at the front of the Guild.

Theres no reasoning with Kellen, and the Knights have sworn loyalty to him. We will have to amass what Knights we can to help us in our cause without his knowledge, Gideon explained.

Valerie shut her eyes in relief that her mentor hadnt abandoned her. Does Chrome know that Jet is gone?

Gideons face was still. Yes. He felt their connection sever.

A burst of grief escaped her box, and she let out a gasp of pain. Can I see him?

Gideon laid a hand on her shoulder, and she saw that he had tears in his eyes. He doesnt blame you"only the Fractus. You will see him soon, but for now he must grieve alone.

Valerie tightened the hatches on her box of pain. What do we do next? Any ideas on how to break Sanguina out of jail?

Gideon smiled grimly. First, you need to rest. You will need all your resources for the trip ahead. Preparations will not happen in a day.

What are you saying? Every second we wait could be the one that kills Darling or Oberon!