Think what you want. I dont care. You refuse to answer my questions; Ill refuse to answer yours. Our destination is not horribly far away, but youll have to find a way to deal with my presence and my hatred during this journey together.

I dont think so. Im going to tell you a little secret, rebel, about a special skill Ive recently discovered. I can make you tell me the truth . . . and the more you resist, the more it will hurt.

Jonas turned to face her again, more exasperated than intimidated. Were you always this much of a bitch, or was it only after you discovered you were a sorceress?

Honestly? She gave him a cold smile. It was after.

I find that hard to believe. You and your whole family . . . evil to the core, every one of you.

And yet you still seem to be helping us. Lucia frowned slightly. At least tell me that theyre all right, that theyre unharmed after everything thats happened.

Unharmed? He smirked at her. I dont know about that. I did finally get the chance to put a dagger through the kings heart. Unfortunately, it only slowed him down for a moment or two.

Her eyes flashed with fury. You lie.

Right here. He patted his chest. Nice and deep. I even twisted it. Felt so good, I cant even tell you.

A moment later, he found himself airborne, flying backward until he hit the trunk of a tree hard enough to knock his breath from his lungs.

Lucia knelt next to him, her hand clutching his throat. Look at me.

Disoriented, he looked into her sky-blue eyes.

Tell me the truth, she snarled. Is my father dead?

No. The single word was pulled painfully from his throat.

You stabbed him in his heart, but hes not dead?

Exactly.

How is this possible? Answer me!

Jonas couldnt look away from her beautiful, fearsome eyes. Whatever magic shed lost during the riot"if shed truly lost any at all"had returned. And she was far stronger than he expected her to be.

Some sort of magic . . . I dont know. It prolonged his life.

Magic from whom?

His . . . mother. Jonas was certain he now tasted blood, thick and metallic. He choked against it as he attempted to resist her magic.

She frowned deeper. My grandmother is dead.

Shes alive. I dont know much more about her. He grimaced against the pain of speaking all of these truths to her. Now do me a favor, princess?

She cocked her head but didnt budge an inch otherwise. Doubtful.

Jonas narrowed his eyes and tried with all his might to channel his own thread of magic as hed unconsciously done on the ship with Felix. Let go of me.

She lost her grip on his throat and fell backward as if hed physically shoved her.

Coughing and holding his throat, he got to his feet and looked down at her.

He felt a small smile form on his lips. Olivia must have been wrong about the extent of his magic. Jonas allowed himself the briefest moment of victory over this.

Lucia looked up at him, her eyes wide. You can channel air magic? A witch boy? Ive never heard of such a thing. Or . . . are you an exiled Watcher?

I prefer to avoid labels, princess, he said. And frankly, I dont know what the hell I am, only that I have to deal with this now. He pulled his shirt down far enough that she could see the spiral mark on his chest. It had only grown brighter since the last time he looked at it, and it was now glimmering with a gold that reminded him more of a Watchers mark.

What? Lucia shook her head, her eyes wide. I dont understand.

Neither do I. And I swear, if this is my prophecy, to make sure someone like you returns to your hateful family all safe and sound, Im going to be furious. He looked up at the trees. You hear me, Olivia, wherever you are? Worst prophecy ever!

Whos Olivia?

Never mind that. He looked down at Lucia, still sprawled on the ground. Get up.

She tried to push herself up. Um . . .

You cant stand up, can you?

Give me a minute. My belly is a bit awkward at the moment. Lucia glared at him. No, please, dont even think about helping me.

I wasnt. He watched as she slowly and painstakingly rolled onto her side, then rose to her feet, brushing off her cloak to free it from the pine needles and dirt it had picked up. Arent you used to your condition by now? Ive seen pregnant Paelsian women only days from giving birth chop down a whole trees worth of wood and carry it back to their cottages.

I am not a Paelsian woman, she said, then blinked. Well, not exactly. And I havent had time to get used to my condition, as you call it.

Such a strange girl. How far along are you?

Not that its any of your business, but . . . a month or so.

Jonas scanned her full form with disbelief. Is this the way it is with evil sorceresses? Their unborn spawn grow much swifter than normal babies?

I wouldnt know. Lucia crossed her arms over her belly, as if trying to shield it from him. I understand your hatred for me. I understand everyones hatred for me. What Ive done since . . . since the father of this child died is unforgiveable. I know that. But this child is innocent and deserves a chance at life. The fact that you, of all people, came to the aid back there of someone like me"someone marked like an immortal, someone who doesnt claim to be a witch or an exile"that must mean something. You speak of prophesies. Im well aware of being the subject of prophesies. To me, it means that this child matters to the world.

Who was the father? Jonas asked. He didnt want to feel sorry for what shed been through or allow the catch in her voice to move him.

An exiled immortal.

And you say hes dead.

She nodded once.

How did he die? Jonas asked. Did you kill him?

Lucia was silent for so long that he didnt think shed answer. No. He took his own life.

Interesting. Is that the only way to escape from your dark clutches?

Lucias look of sheer hatred made him flinch. But the look was more than that. Her eyes were pink-rimmed, a mixture of exhaustion and sadness.

Apologies, Jonas said before he had a chance to think about his response. I suppose that was unnecessarily harsh.

It was. But Id expect no less from someone who thinks Im sheer evil. What Kyan did to your friend . . .

Lysandra, he choked out. She was incredible: the bravest and strongest girl Ive ever known. She deserved the life that Kyan stole from her without a second of hesitation. He was aiming for me"Im the one who should have died that day, not her.

She nodded sadly. Im so sorry. Ive come to realize that Kyan isnt a person, isnt someone with feelings and needs like mortals have, and he isnt someone who can be reasoned with. Kyan sees every fault and imperfection in this world. He wishes to be the one to burn it to ashes so it can begin again. Id say that hes insane, but he is fire. Fire burns. It destroys. That is its reason for existing.

He wants to destroy the world, Jonas repeated.

She nodded. Its why I left him. Why he nearly killed me when I said I wouldnt help him anymore.

Jonas took a moment to absorb this. You say fire destroys. But fire also cooks food, it warms us on cold nights. That kind of fire isnt evil"its an element we use to keep us alive.

All I know for sure is that he needs to be stopped. She reached into the pocket of her cloak and drew out a small amber orb, the exact same size as the earth Kindred. This was Kyans prison.

Jonas found himself momentarily speechless. And you think you can put him back in there and save the world?

I plan to try, she said simply.

He looked at Lucias face, determined and serious as she gazed at the crystal orb. She sounded so sincere. Could he believe her? Given what I now know about the fire Kindred, the empress doesnt seem like much of a threat at all, does she?

Lucia slipped the orb back into her pocket. Oh, Amara has definitely shown herself to be a threat. But Kyan is far worse. So think me evil, rebel. Consider me someone who needs to die for my crimes. Fine. But know also that I want to try to fix some of what Ive done, now that Im able to think clearly again. First, I need to see my family. I need to" Lucias words cut off as she doubled over and cried out.

Jonas rushed to her side. Whats wrong?

Pain! she managed. This had been happening far too often since I left. Oh . . . oh, goddess! I cant . . .

She dropped to her knees, clutching her belly.

Jonas stared at her, feeling completely helpless. Damn it. What can I do? Is the baby coming already? Please dont tell me the baby is coming.

No, its not . . . I dont think its time yet. But this" When she screamed, the sound sliced through Jonas like a cold blade. Take me to my family! Please!

The princesss face had gone stark white against her raven-black hair. Her eyes rolled back in her head as she dropped to her side, unconscious.

Princess, he said, trying to shake her awake. Come on, theres no time for this.

Lucia didnt wake up.

Jonas turned to look in the direction of the riots. It wouldnt be long before the Paelsian mob found weapons and came after him and the sorceress.

Finally, swearing under his breath, he crouched down and picked the princess up in his arms, finding her much lighter than hed expected, even with the child she carried within her.

No time to get to your family, he said, so Im taking you to mine. Theyre much closer.

Jonass sister, Felicia, opened the door to her cottage and stared out at Jonas for a long moment in utter silence.

Then she looked at the unconscious, pregnant girl he carried in his arms.

I can explain, he said quickly.

I would certainly hope so. Come in. She opened the door wider so Jonas could enter, careful not to knock Lucias legs against the rough door frame.

Put her on my bed, Felicia instructed Jonas. He did as she said before returning to his sister, who didnt greet him with a hug. Instead she stood there, her expression drawn and severe, her arms crossed over her chest.

He didnt expect her to be happy to see him.

Im sorry I havent visited, he began.

I havent seen or heard from you in nearly a year, and you show up tonight with no warning.

I needed your help. With . . . the girl.

She snorted. Yes, Im sure you do. Is the child yours?

No.

She didnt look convinced. And what do you expect me to do for her?

I dont know. He rubbed his forehead and began to pace back and forth in his sisters small cottage. She isnt well. She had stomach pains and collapsed. I didnt know what to do with her.

So you brought her here.

I knew you would help me. He let out a shaky sigh. I know youre angry with me that Ive been away so long, but its been too dangerous to return.

Yes, I saw the wanted posters. What was it? Ten thousand centimos for your capture, dead or alive?

Something like that.

You killed Queen Althea.

I didnt. Its a long story.

Im sure.

He glanced around, checking for any sign of his sisters husband. Wheres Paolo?

Dead.

Jonass gaze shot back to hers. What?

He was taken from me, forced to work on the Imperial Road. They wanted Father too, but they decided because of his age and his limp that he was useless to them. Paolo didnt return when the workers were finally released from their duties. What am I to think except that he was killed along with scores of other Paelsians who were treated like slaves?

Jonas stared at her with shock. Paolo had been a good friend of his back when life was hard but simple. Felicia, Im so sorry. I had no idea.