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sheet white, his pupils constricted to tiny black dots. Gasping, Kiora struggled, trying to pull away.
    “Don’t run away from it,” he said tightly. “Just get control.”
    Kiora pushed against his chest, arching backwards.
    “You’re making it worse.”
    Kiora took deep, stuttering breaths, pulling back in the magic she didn’t want.
    Alcander relaxed and his breath rushed out across her cheek. His arms were trembling around her. “I knew you could do it.”
    He slowly released her, as if he might need to grab her again at any moment. When it was apparent she was done setting things on fire, he leaned back on his hands and looked up at Emane. “When we came in, you said, ‘Oh, no’, like you weren’t surprised.”
    Emane’s eyes shifted to the side. He looked at his shirt that lay in tatters on the smoldering chair, shoving his hands in his pockets. “I wasn’t.”
    Kiora’s head snapped up, her frown deepening. “Why not?”
    “After you left Lomay’s to find the entrance to the city, I found something in the library.” Emane’s face went slack for a second as if he was suddenly somewhere very far away. Blinking, he cleared his throat. “Lomay had a vision of this happening. I saw the painting of it weeks ago.”
    “And you didn’t say anything?”
    “The painting didn’t explain everything,” Emane said defensively. “In the picture, it looked like you were killing him. I told him you would never do that. He said he believed me and that he wasn’t sure what the vision meant.”
    “Well, he lied,” Kiora snapped.
    “How was I supposed to know that?” Emane asked.
    “I have been in that library many times and never saw any pictures of this,” Alcander said. Helping Kiora to her feet, he led her to a chair.
    “Do you remember the framed landscape painting?” Emane said. “The only one in the room? It was behind that.”
    “Behind it? Why were you looking behind it?” Kiora asked.
    “I, uh—saw something I didn’t like.” Emane gave Alcander a quick meaningful glance. “I was throwing things. A few items fell off the wall.”
    Kiora tried to catch Emane’s gaze, but it was clear he was purposely ignoring her.
    “What did he see?” she asked Alcander, who immediately turned red.
    “It doesn’t matter,” Emane said. Kiora did not miss the look of relief on Alcander’s face at his redirection. “The point is, Lomay had this vision of you long before you came. He said he didn’t know what it meant, but . . .” Emane shrugged. “I guess he figured it out,” he said softly. “Regardless, it was still his choice, Kiora.”
    Kiora scowled. “Are you defending him?”
    “I am,” he said, throwing his shoulders back. “He knew what needed to be done for the greater good, and he did it. Sometimes hard choices need to be made to save lives.” Kiora gaped at him. “I’m sorry he’s gone. But don’t disrespect his gift by being angry at him.” Emane pushed his fists deeper in his pockets and walked out of the room.
    ***
    KIORA SPENT HOURS IN the library poring over the piles of notes Lomay left her. She found the incantation to remove the Shifter’s bracelets, a list of every rebel camp, the incantations to communicate with them, the routes they were taking, and when to expect them.
    Per her request, Lomay had arranged for the remaining groups of rebels to arrive at approximately the same time. Kiora was positive the new Tavean leader, Enzo, and his armies were looking for the camps. She would feel better once everyone was safe in the city.
    She set the papers down and smoothed her hands over them, looking at the scrawled handwriting she would never see again. There was so much to do, so much to prepare, and with Lomay gone, she was truly in charge. Lomay had not planned on the release of the Shifters, and there were details to be dealt with. There was also still the shortage of weapons. Pulling out the blue sapphire necklace, she called Eleana.
    Kiora leaned back in her