Horizon

THIRTY-FIVE

DACE

The sight of Gabe racing toward me as though I’m some kind of savior is funny at best—misguided at worst.

He would’ve been better off taking his chances with the Bone Keeper.

Or even the Seeker.

Though I plan to enlighten him soon.

“Get her!” he shouts. “She’s right there—ripe for the killing!” He jabs a thumb toward Daire, as though I might’ve missed her.

As though my newly heightened senses aren’t capable of scenting her, tracking her, intuiting her every inhale and exhale.

Still, I don’t deny myself the chance to fill my eyes with the sight of her. Soaking in a beauty so radiant, so luminous, she appears lit from within.

“What the hell are you doing looking at her like some lovesick fool? She’s gonna get away if you don’t do something soon! Leandro warned me to leave her to you, but if you’re not gonna kill her then—”

“Then, what?” In an instant my hand circles his neck. “Tell me exactly what you plan to do to the Seeker.”

“What the hell are you doing?” he gasps, features distorted with outrage. “Let me go, you idiot. I’m on your side!”

“That may be.” I lift him into the air. Lift him so high his feet fumble for stability, his toes strain toward the ground, as his body jerks like a fish on a line. “Thing is, I’m not on yours.” He dangles from my hand—fighting, kicking, screaming bloody murder. Or rather, he would be screaming bloody murder if I hadn’t cut off his air supply.

I gave them all a head start.

Encouraged Leandro, Gabe, and Cade to get to Daire first, so she could have the pleasure of slaying them all.

Imagining how it might feel to watch Raven finally conquering Coyote after all this time.

It’s a sight I would like to have seen.

But, it seems plans, like destiny, are subject to change.

And with the portals swinging wide open and Coyote left completely unchecked, I’ll have to claim this particular kill for my own. But at least Daire can watch.

I drag Gabe’s face closer to mine, peer into his bloodshot eyes, and loosen my grip just enough for him to remain conscious. Be a shame for him to miss out on last rites.

“You shouldn’t be surprised to find yourself here. Surely it’s no secret just how much I’ve always despised you. You’re an embarrassment, a misogynist, a thug, annoying as hell, and just so you know, your jokes aren’t funny. Turns out, that’s a bad combination, Gabe. That kind of behavior is no longer tolerated in these parts.”

“Are you freaking crazy?” Gabe’s eyes bulge in an effort to choke out the words. Guess it’s hard to properly enunciate when your neck is locked in a vise-tight grip.

“Nope, not crazy.” I tighten my hold. “You’re the one who’s crazy for thinking, even for a second, that we’re on the same side. I don’t belong to Coyote. I don’t belong to anyone. As you’re about to discover, I’m something far worse than your small mind can conjure.”

The second he digests my words, the bravado that once seemed permanently tattooed on his face is replaced by terror. Seems I’ve finally gotten through.

“Any last words?” The question is asked merely as a formality. Inside, the beast thrums with anticipation and he won’t be denied for much longer.

Gabe’s jaw falls slack, his tongue flops around a good bit, but all that comes out is a sick, muffled gurgle I don’t have the patience to even try to decipher.

The beast hungers.

Demands to be fed.

And I am but a humble servant, his to command.

Sorry, Daire. While I wanted you to have the pleasure of slaying Gabe, the sooner this happens, the better for everyone.

“You know, I have no idea what you’re trying to say. And, the truth is, I’m not at all interested. Guess this is goodbye, then.” I clench my fingers, watching his eyes fill with dread as his body gives one last amusing attempt to claw at my hands, kick at my knees. A mildly entertaining death dance that ends with a single flick of my wrist.

His neck snaps.

His head falls limply to his side.

And it feels so damn good I do it again.

Dedicating this kill to Daire, I twist Gabe’s head all the way around until it’s facing the opposite way.

Inside, my heart swells with accomplishment—a voice shouts in victory.

We can do this.

I can help her.

An essential part of me still exists!

I warned her away—just in case I was wrong—but now that I’m still in control—I’ll never have to suffer another day without her.

I can see it as clearly as I can see her standing before me. Daire, me, and the beast—working together to rid the world of Richters!

It’s the last thing I think before the beast fully awakens and I’m completely overtaken.

The last thing I speak is her name cried out in agony.

I’ve lost.

He’s won.

Whatever remained of me is now gone.

Stretching and expanding in size until he’s consumed every last shred of the person I once knew as me, he kicks Gabe’s broken body aside, and centers his sights on the dark-haired girl in the red silk dress standing just a few feet away.

THIRTY-SIX

DAIRE

His glowing red gaze narrows on mine, offering all the proof that I need to know the beast seized control.

The boy I fell madly in love with—the boy made entirely of goodness and light—has been snuffed by the bloodthirsty creature that glowers before me.

My hands tremble.

My knees threaten to fold.

Overcome by the enormity of all that we’ve lost, along with the harrowing truth that he did this for me.

Convinced that the darkness was his to control—only to discover too late that fate serves its own agenda.

Aside from the eyes and the tufts of black feathers beginning to form at the crown, he’s as handsome as ever. Though I can’t be deceived by his looks. The moment he killed Gabe, he became fully initiated.

Won’t be much longer before the shift is complete.

Still, I lower my knife, refusing to use it until I’m absolutely sure no part of him exists. As long as the beast continues to breathe—a part of Dace may manage to cling.

At the sight of me standing defenseless before him, he throws his head back and roars a deep, guttural laugh. But it’s not Dace who mocks me. It’s the beast. Despite how much it may hurt, I remind myself to never forget this.

“Sure you want to do that, Seeker?” The words are brusque but the tone is lazy, as though he’ll take his time to slay me his way. “Not that I blame you. Knife like that could never save you. I don’t care whose essence it contains.”

Despite the implied threat, the words give me hope that I’m on the right track. If he truly remembers the day I told him about Valentina’s spirit being sealed on my athame, then clearly a shred of him has managed to survive.

I flip my hair out of my eyes and lean toward him. Determined to appeal to whatever part of Dace still exists, when the last remaining pin securing my updo is released, and I watch as his eyes lovingly follow the course of curls settling in untidy waves over my shoulders.

Though the moment he catches me looking, his admiration is replaced with such deeply penetrating menace, it’s all I can do to stay calm.

“You saw what I did to my cousin,” he growls. “Saw how easy it was.”

“I watched the whole thing.” I press my knife to my side. “I could hardly keep from cheering. I hated Gabe too.”

He cocks his head, curls and uncurls his fingers, as though weighing my words.

“You did the world a favor, Dace. Heck, you did Marliz a favor. Gabe really was embarrassing, annoying, a total misogynist, a major thug, and his jokes were truly stupid. Good riddance, I say.”

“And you know what I say?”

He moves toward me and it’s all I can do not to flee. Repeating to myself over and over that Dace is in there. Somewhere. He has to be.

“I say you should’ve run when you had the chance.”

“I won’t run from you, Dace.” I square my shoulders, remain fixed right in place. If I can keep addressing him by his name, it might manage to penetrate. “Not while you’re still in there—and we both know you are. It doesn’t have to be like this, Dace. You can beat this. You can—”

Before I can finish, his jacket begins to shred at the seams, as impossibly long talons shoot from his fingers and a crown of black feathers fully encircles his head. “Seems the evidence would speak otherwise.” He shrugs, causing the sleeves to fall to the ground just beside him.

I tighten my grip on the athame, try to follow Chay’s advice and listen to my heart. But with the beast quickly closing the gap between us, any wisdom my heart may contain is drowned by the blare of impending defeat.

I take an awkward step back, but the move comes too late. His reflexes now lightning fast, his strength greatly multiplied, he easily catches me by the wrist and squeezes so hard I’m afraid it might snap.

“All those incessant workouts, all of the magick, and daily six-mile runs, and you’re not even going to try to put up a fight?” He hauls me up against him until my back is flush to his torso, tightening his grip until my fingers fall limp, the athame drops to his feet, and he kicks it well out of sight long before I can even attempt to summon it back.

“I’m here to fight the enemy, not you. You seem to forget that we share the same goal. We’re both after the Richters and there’s no reason we can’t defeat them together.”

He laughs, nudges his face against mine. The move releasing a hail of feathers that spill onto my cheek. “I work alone,” he growls, the sound primal and deep. “I’ve no need for partners.” He runs a finger down the center of my chest, lingering for a moment over the key as though it sparks a distant memory, making him reluctant to proceed.

I suck in a sharp breath, praying I’m right, when he centers a talon as long and sharp as a switchblade right over my heart.

“Unlike you, I don’t rely on knives and blowguns and silly talismans that only work on a whim,” he says. “My body is the only weapon I need. I could kill you in the span of a heartbeat.”

“That must make you feel very powerful,” I mumble, trying to ignore the increasing numbness spreading the entire length of my arm, and focus instead on the way his finger caresses my flesh, as though protesting his words.

He drags his nail along my skin while his lips find my ear—his razor-sharp incisors rasping my flesh. “Looks like you’re about to find out.”

I squirm, try to get some blood to flow to my fingers. Instantly regretting it the moment I realize the beast misreads it as fear.

“First you’ll gasp,” he says, spurred by my distress. “Despite my numerous warnings, your denial is so deep you won’t see it coming. Then the blood will begin to gush from the wound, ruining your pretty red dress. And, not long after, you’ll be forever erased from this world.”

While there’s no doubt he could easily accomplish the task, his touch is soft and sweet, his voice as soothing as a lullaby—completely at odds with his words.

Besides, if he truly meant to kill me, he would’ve done so already.

“Your twin already tried that. Didn’t quite work out like he planned.”

“Maybe so, but this time you’re on your own. No Raven, no elders, no little glowing man to help you. You’re at my mercy now, and trust me, I have none.”

I’m not so sure about that . . .

At the sound of leaves rattling and feet shuffling the beast spins toward the noise, taking me with him. The two of us watching as Leftfoot ducks free of the bushes, his hands raised in surrender.

“Let her go.” Leftfoot risks a cautious step forward. Stopping just a few feet away, head bowed in offering, he says, “Take me instead.”

“Instead?” The beast laughs, his hot breath hitting my cheek. “Why would I choose when I can just as easily take both of you?”

The talon remains on my chest, but that’s as far as he’ll go. And despite my shooting Leftfoot a look, warning him away, he continues to approach.

“I’m the one who taught you to soul jump. I’m the one who introduced the idea of claiming the darkness. I’m responsible for who you’ve become.”

The beast roars with laughter. “In that case, I’ll be sure to thank you before I kill you. Now, don’t interrupt me again . . .”

He returns his attention to me, at the same time Leftfoot dives for his feet. The move so sudden, so unexpected, I have no time to stop him.

The beast shrieks in outrage, tosses me aside, and goes straight for Leftfoot. But before he can reach him, he falters, stumbles to the ground, and heaves a cry of agonized pain as he fumbles to his feet. Inadvertently slicing a talon across Leftfoot’s throat before lumbering away with the shaft of an arrow jutting from his left shoulder.

The entire scene unfolding so quickly, I’ve barely made sense of it when Jennika rushes from her hiding place in the bushes with a bow clutched in her hand.

“Why did you shoot him?” I scream, eyes wild as I drop beside Leftfoot and press my hands to his wound in an attempt to slow the bleeding.

“Are you kidding me, Daire? It’s not like I had any choice—he was going to kill you!” She glares at me, her hatred of the beast/Dace clearly marked on her face.

“No—he wasn’t. If that was the case he would’ve done so already!”

“Yeah, and how do you explain that?” She motions to Leftfoot.

“It was an accident. He lost his balance when you shot him.”

“So it’s my fault?”

“It’s—” I shake my head, seeing no point in arguing. I pull the scarf from her neck. “Here, keep it pressed here.” I place the silk over the wound, and her hands over the silk, as I get to my feet, start to move away.

“Where are you going?” she cries, her face panicked and pale, eyes wide and terrified as she looks between the old medicine man and me. The two of us helplessly watching the life force fade from his eyes.

“I’m going after Dace.”

Her eyes meet mine. “You know you have to kill him,” she says. “For God’s sake, Daire—you have no choice.”

I grasp the buckskin pouch at my neck and bid one last plea to my ancestors, begging them to come to Leftfoot’s aid. Then after looping it around Jennika’s neck, I look at her and say, “I know you’re not a Santos, but you were once deeply loved by one. The power of Django’s Bear resides in this pouch. He’ll come to your aid, but in order for that to happen, you’ve got to believe.”

She folds her fingers around it, her gaze settling for a moment on Gabe’s lifeless body with the grotesquely twisted head, before she turns to me. “Daire—I’m not joking. If you don’t do it, I will. You have a duty to protect us—or have you forgotten?”

Though the words are spoken like a question, one look is all it takes to tell me she’s already decided I’ve failed them. That I chose love over duty. That I can’t be trusted to save them.

I turn away. All too aware that time’s running out. That I need to handle this before someone else decides to complete what Jennika started. I follow the trail of blood and destruction Dace left in his path.

THIRTY-SEVEN

DAIRE

For something so large, the beast moves lightning fast. And with the Lowerworld plummeting into a state of complete devastation, it gets harder and harder to discern his tracks.

Trees are toppled. Shrubbery flattened. While once-beautiful flower beds have been crushed by numerous upended boulders and rocks. And with Eagle long gone, combined with Raven’s continued absence, I’m left to rely on the ring, hoping it will lead me to the Richters where I’m sure to find the beast.

I hold it before me, making a careful study of its glimmering facets, the subtle shifts of hue that seem to change with my escalating anxiety. Trying to get a feel for just who’s controlling this thing, though, the truth is, there’s no way to know for sure until I put it to use.

Going on the assumption that it’s working for me since it once permitted access to the Rabbit Hole while remaining undetected by Leandro and Cade, I engage in the opposite version of the hot-and-cold game. Every time the stone grows hot, presumably leading me to safety, I change course until it cools and I’m (presumably) moving toward the enemy. Figuring that, either way, we’ll end up face to face. I just hope it’s on my terms, my way.

Though after roaming for what feels like miles with still no sign of them, or anyone else for that matter, I’m about to give up and try something else, when the stone grows notably cooler and I stumble upon a haphazard trail of mutilated demon carcasses bearing damage so severe only a beast could’ve caused it.

With my athame missing, and my buckskin pouch now with Jennika, I’m down to the blowgun still stashed in my boot.

Same blowgun Dace left in my care, making me promise to use it on him.

A thought that’s as inconceivable now as it was then.

Despite what he’s done, I refuse to abandon him.

If he really wanted to kill me, he would’ve done so already.

He could’ve easily crushed my windpipe, spiked a talon straight through my heart. And, as soon as that was done, he could’ve ripped both Leftfoot and Jennika apart.

So what stopped him?

Certainly not Jennika’s dart.

No, Dace is still in there. Exerting whatever control he has left.

Question remains—how much longer can he keep the beast contained?

All along, Dace understood the nature of the beast far better than I did.

Held no illusions to the sort of power it would wield.

Then again, he’s lived with it for much longer than I first realized. Making its debut on New Year’s Eve, when Dace connected with the snakes and convinced them to attack Suriel. Which, in effect, turned out to be his first kill. The one that served to whet the appetite of what’s grown into an insatiable bloodlust.

With each dark deed, the darkness inside Dace increases. Like fertilizer, feeding and strengthening a beast that’s meant to destroy us.

And now, with Gabe dead, Dace’s initiation into the dark arts is secured. Next time we meet, he’ll be fully transformed.

With a terrain of charred earth underfoot, a blazing red canopy of clouds drooping overhead, and the agonized screams of sprit animals and guides called to battle, I follow the trail of carnage. Reminded of the story Paloma once told me about the day my father was buried—how the funeral unfolded under a crimson-scorched sky.

Funny to think I may end under similar circumstances.

With the stone nearing the point of freezing, I better my grip on the blowgun and push my legs harder, until I’m sprinting up a grueling trail littered with random switchbacks and bends that grows increasingly narrow and steep with each passing turn. Ultimately leveling off to a place where the atmosphere thins, the clouds that once drooped overhead now sag below, and the dirt gives way to a slab of rugged red rock.

I make for the edge of the cliff and peer into the void. The toes of my boots teetering precariously over the ledge, when I realize a moment too late that everything about this scene—the dress, the ring, the surrounding landscape, even Cade standing behind me—perfectly mimics the dream.

Did he lure me here?

Did he plant the dream in my head?

Or did the ring merely lead me to my destiny and demand it be met?

“Don’t jump!” Cade calls, half serious, half in jest. “Odds are, I won’t save you this time.”

“So, you had the dream too.” I turn to face him. “I’ve always wondered about that.” My gaze roams the length of him, taking in his perfectly groomed façade—the pristine tux, the freshly shined shoes, the triumphant grin on his face. Three worlds have fallen into a state of absolute devastation, and, as usual, he looks as impeccable as ever.

But at least I know what happened to Raven.

“Dream? What dream?” His eyes flash. His tongue works the inside of his cheek. As I switch my focus to poor Raven—locked inside a gilded cage, a gleaming tourmaline stone hanging from a black silk cord at his neck, while Coyote lurks beside him, licking his chops as though he can’t wait to devour him. “Though, now that we’re on the subject, I guess I should thank you for making my biggest dream come true. After all, I’m finally here in the Upperworld, and I couldn’t have done it without you. Told you we make a good team, and yet, you never seemed to believe me.”

The Upperworld?

That’s where this is?

Though my time there was brief, the surrounding landscape is nothing like I left it. It’s completely unrecognizable. This is even worse than I thought.

“Yes, the Upperworld, Seeker.” He grins, seemingly thrilled by my failure to conceal my shock. “Wasn’t like this when I first made the climb. And though it took some doing, I must admit, I’m quite satisfied with the results. I like this look a lot better. It was a little too heavy on the sparkle and greenery before. This new landscape is much better suited to Coyote’s needs.”

Rugged barren mesas, treacherous cliffs, only trace amounts of shrubbery, and absolutely no viable place for the spirit animals and guides to take cover—I can see why Coyote approves. They’ve never liked a fair fight.

“As I’m sure you’re aware, the Richters have tried to breach this place for centuries, millennia actually, but never once had a hope in hell of succeeding until I came along. I can’t wait for Leandro to acknowledge all I’ve accomplished.” His face glows with the prospect. “I’ve surpassed every Richter who came before me. And the funny thing was, it was so easy! You and your band of idiots really took to your roles, played it straight by the script. You’ve all done such an amazing job, it’s a shame there’s no one left among you to appreciate it.” He slaps a hand to his mouth and makes an exaggerated mock-guilty face, as my gut churns in trepidation of what he’ll say next.

“I’m sure you’ve heard about Chay and Leftfoot, right?” He pauses, waiting for me to respond, but when I continue to glare, he goes on. “Don’t look so sad, they were practically elderly. It’s not like they had loads of time left. I did them a favor by sparing them the humiliation of dementia and adult diapers that inevitably comes with old age.”

“Why are you trying to sell it?” I study him carefully, noting how he’s taking credit for acts committed by Leandro and Dace, never mind his need to explain. The old Cade delighted in mocking and taunting—he practically lived for the chance. Never once did he try to justify his acts, or soften the blow.

“I’m not trying to sell it!” His fists curl at his sides as his eyes narrow on mine. “You just happened to look saddened by the news, and—”

“And that bothers you?” I take a step toward him, chancing a quick look at Raven, ensuring he’s more or less okay, before I return to Cade. “My sadness makes you feel the need to defend your actions?”

His features sharpen, his face darkens, but that’s as far as he gets. As far as he’s capable of getting. And we both know it.

“I thought I made myself clear. You’re not the one running the show here, Seeker. That would be me. And just so you know, your friends aren’t faring so well either. Believe me—” He grabs the dome of Raven’s cage and dangles it so precariously Raven lets out a long, gurgling croak as his purple eyes roll back in his head, and his claws clutch the perch in a fight to stay upright. His distress so palpable I’m about to intervene, when Cade lowers it to the ground and says, “Your little bird here is getting off easy. As for your friends, well, Lita was a lot better off when she was with me. But now, thanks to you, Seeker, Lita’s all on her own. Though it’s not like I didn’t warn her. Just like I predicted, Axel didn’t waste a second to ditch her once the three worlds opened wide. Didn’t think twice about trading her in for the glowing girls back home. And to think all he left her with was an eagle feather, as though that could possibly help. My guess is she became demon bait not long after. But don’t look so glum. You’ll be happy to know that Xotichl and Auden are alive and well, and, as it turns out, Coyote’s to control for all of eternity. Seems they fell for the oldest trick in the book. It was almost too easy. Amazing what people will sacrifice for a taste of popularity. Of course, Lita knows a thing or two about that. Or, should I say, did. Lita did know. Lita’s not present tense anymore.”

I keep my face neutral. He’s trying to get a rise out of me, and I won’t take the bait. I’m just hoping his failure to mention Jennika is because she managed to slip under his radar, and not because he’s saving the juiciest bit for later.

“Let’s face it, you failed, Seeker, in every conceivable way. You failed your friends, your ancestors, your Raven.” He nudges the cage with his foot, moving it closer to Coyote, who thumps his tail in approval. “You’ve failed everyone. But most of all, you’ve failed yourself. And now, I’m afraid you’ve lasted way past your expiration date. You’re beginning to smell a bit . . . fowl, as they say.” He laughs heartily at his joke as I make a point of rolling my eyes. “Anyway, enough of that. It’s time for me to finish what I started. Which means it’s time for you to reunite with your ancestors.”

The gap that separates me from the next gorge easily spans six feet, if not more. Still, I’m pretty sure I can nail the leap if it should come to that.

But only if it comes to that.

“So how do you plan to do it?” I ask, stalling for time as I get a better grip on my blowgun, remembering how he loves a good monologue.

“What? And wreck the surprise?” He kneels beside Raven’s cage, giving firm instructions to Coyote to wait for the signal, before returning to me. “What happened to your mask?” He places his hands on his hips and frowns as though he just now noticed it was missing. “I always imagined you wearing it when I snuff the light from your eyes and Coyote devours your spirit animal.”

“Guess you’ll both have to improvise. Besides, I don’t see you wearing your moon and sun.”

“I have no need for symbols when it’s about to be done.”

“Is it?” I take a step toward him. “Is that what you think?”

“That’s what I know. Shadow is about to eclipse Sun, which means you, Seeker, will fall. I’ve rescinded the offer to rule alongside me. Turns out, you’re not up for the task. And, for the record, I saw right through your façade. Your clumsy attempts at flirting and feigning interest in me were painful at best.”

“Really? How about when I clocked you and sent you spinning on your ass—how’d you feel then?”

“Nice try, Seeker. Trying to distract me from the task. You’re outmatched. The game was never yours to control. Don’t believe me? Take a good look around. The prophecy is in motion and there’s no way to stop it. Oh, and just so you know, I won’t miss you when you go.”

“No, I don’t suspect you will. But not for the reason you think.”

He quirks a brow, cocks his head to the side.

“I’m not going anywhere, Cade.”

“You’re funny.”

“I’m a lot of things. As you’re about to see.”

I raise Dace’s blowgun. The one he insisted I use on him, and aim straight for his brother. Confident the beast will spare Dace’s life like it did on New Year’s Eve.

“You’re not going to use that relic against me?” Cade smirks, not taking me the least bit seriously. Unfortunately for him, it’s a mistake he won’t live long enough to regret.

I close an eye, center my aim, and shoot.

Watching the dart soar straight for its target. The moment I’ve been imagining about to come to fruition.

Until Cade ducks, the dart breezes over his head, and the next thing I know, the top of Cade’s head is barreling into my gut.

My feet fly up from beneath me, my back smacks hard on the slab, and my head quickly follows. The blow so unexpected it knocks the breath out of me.

I squint into the space, struggling to see past the constellation of tiny white stars blurring my vision. Just barely able to make out the sight of Cade looming over me, fist raised high, ready to strike.

“Say goodbye, Seeker.” He grins, about to nail the same spot his father had a go at, when his eyes meet mine and, once again, I catch a glimmer of my own reflection staring back.

That’s twice now. And the thing is, Cade’s eyes never used to reflect.

While they used to glow red when he was in full-blown demon mode, they never mirrored. They could only absorb like the abyss that they are.

It’s what enabled him to control people by changing their perception—he absorbed their energy until they were his to control.

He’s just about to make contact, when I jump to my feet and catch him by the wrist. “You sure you want to do that?” I twist his arm until he grimaces. “Cos it kind of seems like you don’t.”

“Keep dreaming,” he grunts. Though his tone, like his face, is full of bravado, there’s something off about him. Something more than just the strangeness of his gaze.

For one thing, if he was serious, he would’ve pushed me away and punched me already. My grip’s not that tight.

But instead, his fingers flex uncertainly. As though he’s purposely leaning into me, only pretending to try to free himself from my hold, while secretly enjoying the contact of his skin on my flesh.

Just like his brother, he’s reluctant to make good on his threat.

Until Leandro’s voice rumbles from across the divide.

THIRTY-EIGHT

DAIRE

“Enough, Cade! What’re you waiting for? A goodbye kiss?” Leandro’s voice booms from across the canyon. “Kill her already. If you have any hope of redeeming yourself, do it now! You’ve failed at every single thing you’ve set out to do. Kill the Seeker, Cade, or I’ll come over there and do it for you!”

Cade wrenches free of my grip. Looking between Leandro and me with a conflicted gaze, his body involuntarily twitches and shakes, while his creepy Coyote snarls and yelps beside Raven, who clings to the backside of his cage.

“I didn’t fail!” Cade screams. His face, like his voice, is choked with rage. “I’m the reason you’re here! I’m the one who opened the portals! Me—not Dace!”

He slaps a hand over my throat, tries to squeeze his fingers around it, but doesn’t get very far before he lets go and approaches the ledge.

“The role you played was minor at best,” Leandro yells. “Now go ahead and do it. Kill the girl, and be done with it!”

Leandro continues to berate him, as Cade paces precariously close to the edge. Twitching and mumbling to himself as I scramble to my feet, retrieve my gun, and take aim.

Just about to shoot when Cade whirls on me and says, “Dammit, Seeker, put that thing down! Do not make me choose!”

Choose?

I hold my breath in my cheeks, delaying the shot. So caught off guard by the words, I’m not sure how to react.

Did he really mean choose between Leandro and me?

“Clock’s ticking, Cade—do it already!” his father shouts, as Cade seems to visibly crumple before me. His shoulders sagging, his head bent, gaze downcast. He digs his knuckles into his eyes. Pinches hard at his cheeks. All the while mumbling a string of unintelligible words under his breath. Making him appear deranged and distorted, like a person gone completely unhinged.

“What the hell have you done to me?” His eyes are shadowed and bloodshot as he glares at me accusingly.

And suddenly, with that one simple question, it all falls into place.

The reflection in his eyes.

His reluctance to kill me.

It all makes sense.

And it proves Dace was right! There’s only one force more powerful than evil—love.

Cade is a perfect example of that.

He’s changed by love. It’s the love in his heart that won’t allow him to kill me.

“I haven’t done anything. You brought this on yourself,” I say, reminded of something Phyre said the day we discovered her in possession of Dace’s soul. When she saw the piece of darkness in Dace, and wondered if Cade contained a piece of his light.

At the time, I was too worried about saving Dace’s soul to pay much notice to her philosophical musings, but now I realize her suspicions were right.

“When you fed off the love Dace and I shared by using it to strengthen yourself, what you failed to understand is that darkness cannot exist in the same space as light. The love you ingested obliterated your darkness, it changed you from the inside.”

A look of pure horror crosses his face, but little does he know, that’s only part of the story. What I fail to voice is my suspicion that when Dace made the soul jump into Cade to steal a chunk of his darkness, he left behind a piece of his light.

Just like the dream, their connection is no longer relegated to the mystical, it’s veered into the physical.

Part light, part dark.

The yin and the yang.

Connected.

Bound.

Each containing a piece of the other.

Leandro continues to rage from across the gorge, which only serves to confuse Cade more.

“Don’t listen to him.” I raise my voice in an effort to drown out Leandro’s. “There’s nothing wrong with you. In fact, it’s pretty miraculous if you think about it. You’re getting a second chance to do the right thing and redeem yourself. Don’t fight it, Cade. Don’t fight me . . .” I lower the blowgun to my side and approach him slowly. He’s so unstable there’s no telling how he’ll react.

“Back off, Seeker!” He swerves out of my reach and looks across the canyon with a face full of longing. “And stop looking at me!”

I do as he says. Holding perfectly still until he relaxes enough for me to chance another step toward him. “Cade, don’t you recognize what’s happening here?” I gesture to the surrounding landscape. “This is just like the dream. I know you had it too. It’s where you came up with the idea for the dress.”

He rakes an agitated hand through his hair. Shuffles his feet uncertainly.

“And look, I’m even wearing the ring.” I lift my hand, urging him to see. Watching his features grow blunted, his eyes glazing at the sight of it. “But it’s not as bad as you think. You’re not in love with me. You’ve just never experienced such a strong emotion before, and you’re so overwhelmed by its power, you’re projecting it onto me. You once claimed that true magick exists only in the darkest of men. And maybe you’re right. But the thing is, you’re no longer that guy. If you allow your light to shine, you’ll be capable of the kind of miracles that’ll make your magick now look like the work of a third-rate birthday-party magician.”

His shoulders soften. His pacing slows. And I breathe a little easier knowing I’ve managed to reach him.

Until Leandro hurls another long stream of insults, and Cade rushes toward me, fully intending to harm—only the light now illuminated inside him won’t allow him to strike.

Won’t allow him to do the only thing required to make his father proud.

It’s Leandro he loves.

It’s Leandro he lives to impress.

He’s spent the last sixteen years in a desperate bid for his father’s approval, only to be eclipsed by the twin they both once despised.

Even when Cade was at his darkest, it was the one bit of humanity that managed to survive.

I could kill him in a second. And yet, knowing what I know, it no longer feels right.

No longer a monster, the light has rendered him human. And like the Bone Keeper said, killing humans is not the Seeker’s game.

From across the canyon, Leandro approaches the ledge. “That’s it, Cade,” he shouts. “You’ve had your chance. I should’ve left it to your brother like I promised. It would’ve been over by now. But since you can’t seem to handle the one thing I’m asking you to do, I’m coming over there to take care of it for you!” He crouches down low, ready to make the leap, when the beast appears by his side, dragging Chepi behind him.

THIRTY-NINE

DAIRE

The chasm yawns between us, and I pray I really can nail it. If I’m wrong about Dace, Chepi won’t stand a chance.

I gather my skirts, do as Paloma taught me, and think from the end. The image of myself landing safely on the other side firmly entrenched in my head, when Chepi shouts, “Daire—no! Stay where you are!”

Leandro roars with laughter as though the scene just became greatly amusing, as Chepi turns her focus to the beast. The resigned look on her face telling me she’s not the least bit surprised to see what’s become of her son.

Is that why she tried so hard to shield him from his mystical legacy, along with the horrible truth behind his conception?

Did she suspect all along that this day would come?

Just as I thought, Dace is completely transformed. Far surpassing anything Cade was ever capable of becoming, he’s transcended into something so sinister, so horrific—it’s impossible to turn away.

His towering height, rippling muscles, blazing red eyes, and crown of black feathers circling his head, making for a sight that’s as stunning as it is diabolical. And by the way Leandro stands beside him, beaming with pride, it’s clear he agrees.

Refusing to see him as he is, Chepi insists on appealing to the shred of humanity she’s convinced still exists. And while I was in full agreement just a moment ago, watching her now, so defenseless and vulnerable, reminds me of what Jennika said.

It’s my duty to protect her.

If it turns out I’m wrong, the beast will soon kill her.

“You’ve outlasted your usefulness, old woman,” Leandro taunts. Looking between the beast and Cade. “Do it!” he urges. “Both of you, strike now! You have one last chance to redeem yourself, Cade. Kill the Seeker while Dace kills his mother. Rid the world of these obnoxious do-gooders, and you’ll make me proud beyond measure.”

Cade sneaks up from behind, but even in his unstable state, I’m a lot less worried about what he might try, and a lot more worried about what will become of Chepi. One swipe of the beast’s hand is enough to see her permanently eliminated from the world, and I’m the only one who can possibly stop him.

From somewhere within the earth’s core, the ground begins to tremble and quake, as the sky glows a dark, blood-drenched red. And when a coil of wind begins to stir at my feet, there’s no denying the prophecy has begun.

Won’t be long before the wind becomes a tempest and all three worlds are ravaged by flames.

Unless I can stop it before it gets to that point.

With Chepi in Dace’s grasp, I can’t take the chance that I’ll miss. So I inch toward the ledge, raise the blowgun to my lips, and aim for Leandro instead. Taking my shot at the same time Cade yanks hard on my dress and jerks me back toward him. The move causing the dart to veer wildly off course before disappearing into the chasm.

The beast snarls and roars. Grasping Chepi by the throat, he holds her up high as though considering the most efficient way to destroy her. As I wrench free of Cade’s grip, swerve out of his reach, and reload my weapon. Fully aware the attempt was half hearted at best, staged to make Leandro think he’s serious, and I don’t have time for his games.

I center my aim, ready to shoot, when Cade rushes from behind. Leaving me no choice but to nail him with a swift roundhouse kick to the jaw that sends him reeling and skidding across a long swath of rock that rips a hole in his sleeve and burns off a good portion of flesh.

“Dammit, Cade,” Leandro shouts. “Get up! If you kill her now, the world will be ours! We are two kills away from ruling the worlds!”

The beast growls, the sound deep, guttural, echoing through the ravine. His glowing red eyes fixed right on mine as I center my aim on Leandro again.

Releasing the dart just as the beast lifts a hand, about to remove Chepi’s face, when, at the very last second, he changes course, pushes her out of harm’s way, and removes Leandro’s instead.

His features falling away like a discarded mask, Leandro’s pulpy mess of a mouth screams briefly in outrage, before collapsing inertly beside his old face.

Chepi looks on in horror, presumably thinking the same thing as me.

Another Richter felled.

Another relative killed.

No telling how the beast will react.

Though one thing is clear: Dace has now managed to outshine his twin in every conceivable way.

Cade turns on me in a fit fueled by rage, grief, and deeply rooted shame. Having failed at his one and only chance to make his father proud by slaying me.

With his fists clenched to his sides, his whole body shaking, he throws his head back and howls in a way so primal, so chilling, Coyote quickly chimes in.

But no matter how desperately Cade yearns to transform into the two-headed, snake-tongued, monstrous version of himself, he can’t make the shift.

Blaming me for his failure, he lurches my way as Coyote continues to howl by his side, and I aim the blowgun straight toward him. All the while begging him to stop, to not go through with it, to give up the fight while he can.

“It’s over. He released you. You don’t realize it now, but he has. It’s just like you always wanted, we can work together. But instead of me joining your side, you can join mine.”

His hands curl to fists and he stops dead in his tracks, leaving only a handful of feet yawning between us.

“C’mon, Cade. You don’t have to do this. With you and me working together, we can stop the prophecy.”

“It’s too late, Seeker.” While his gaze is filled with loathing, his fists can’t seem to respond.

They’re useless.

Unable to strike.

So he turns to Coyote still howling beside him, focusing hard on Raven’s natural-born enemy until his lids begin to droop, his knees give out from under him, and his body falls unconscious to the ground.

“No!” I scream, scrambling to put some distance between us. Only the move comes too late. My boot catches in the hem of my dress, my blowgun flies free of my hand, and I land in an unarmed heap of shimmering red silk. Unable to do anything but stare helplessly before me as Coyote, now soul-merged with Cade, bares his teeth and lunges straight for me, as Raven furiously rattles his cage, trying in vain to escape.

Raven and I both watching as Coyote descends.

Knowing it won’t be long until we fall and the prophecy is fulfilled once and for all.

With no defenses left, I lift my ring high. Hoping it might distract Coyote from his mark, and watching in horror as the gem catches the last fading rays of the sun and transforms my gown into a swirling circle of flames.

I scream. Try to smother it by rolling onto the rock.

Only to realize the flames do no harm, the element is mine to control.

At the first whiff of smoke, Coyote yelps, tries to change course, but it’s too late.

I’ve already rolled to the side.

Already retrieved the blowgun.

Already taken aim at the center of his forehead.

Already gathered my breath and taken my shot.

His snout veering so close, the last thing I feel is his hot, fetid breath hitting my cheek, before his eyes roll back in his head and he falls limply at my feet. A single poisonous dart jutting from his head—a steady stream of blood pumping from the wound.

My gown smoldering, I leap to my feet, and race toward Cade, only to find he bears the same injury as Coyote.

I press my hand to his forehead. Try to stop the blood from gushing. Telling myself head wounds always bleed more. That it’s not nearly as bad as it seems. Though it fails to console.

Finally, after all this time, I’ve managed to kill him.

Funny how it doesn’t feel anything like I imagined it would.

I brush a hand across his forehead, try to think of something comforting to say to ease his transition, when I realize he’s singing.

Thinking it’s the same song he hummed when I spied on him via the cockroach, I lower my ear to his lips and realize I’ve got it all wrong.

Cade is using the last of his strength to remind me of the prophecy.

When air sears and water fades

When tempest winds ravage fire-scorched plains

When Shadow eclipses Sun–the Seer shall fall

Causing three worlds to descend into darkness eternal

“You can’t stop it, Seeker.” His voice is a rasp. His lips curl at the sides as though he takes great pleasure in reminding me of my fate. “The prophecy is in motion. You are destined to fall. Leandro was wrong. I didn’t fail. I never once failed him . . .”

His eyes close.

His breath ceases.

And when the flames die, and the sky dims all around me, I realize he’s right.

The prophecy is here.

But it’s not because of him.

It’s because I snuffed the Sun and left the Shadow to rule.

FORTY

DAIRE

Chepi screams, grabs hold of his arm, but the beast shakes her off, kicks Leandro’s body aside, and makes for the ledge.

Each step causing the sun to shrink.

The sky to darken.

So by the time he’s clinched the leap and is standing before me, the three worlds are black.

I can feel his hot breath rising before me. His hunger so palpable I can sense it stirring within. It’s the only way to track him now that I can no longer see him.

With only one dart remaining, I raise the blowgun to my lips and tighten my grip. Remembering a time when I was afraid of the dark and couldn’t fall asleep without the glow of a nightlight, until Jennika found a way to convince me there was nothing to fear.

You must adapt to the darkness so the light can find you.

Such an uncanny match for the Seeker’s creed that Paloma shared with me when I first started training: A Seeker must learn to see in the dark, relying on what she knows in her heart.

I suck in a lungful of air, tracking the beast as Chay’s last words play in my head: Love is a powerful force. If anyone can save him, it’s you. So go. Go do what you were born to do.

I was born to protect—to keep the Richters contained—and the three worlds in balance.

I don’t have to look far to see how I’ve failed on every count.

My friends are all missing or dead.

The worlds are in chaos.

And though the Richters are finally defeated, the beast has now taken their place.

There is only one force more powerful than evil—love, Dace claimed.

Listen to your heart, Chay said. It will never lead you astray.

What I know in my heart is that the choice is no longer mine to make.

Destiny has made the choice for me.

If I have any hope of surviving, any hope of sparing my friends, Dace’s heart is where I must aim.

I squint through my tears, guided by the hum of his breath to locate my mark, grappling with the horror of piercing the very flesh I once cherished.

He lumbers closer.

I steady the gun to my lips. Whispering one final plea: Dace—please, if you’re in there, stop now—don’t make me do this!

He snarls. Growls. Continues his approach. Taking a swipe at me as he did with Leandro, and only narrowly missing.

One more step and he’s on me.

One more step and I’m history.

I close my eyes. Rely on my instincts to guide me.

My cheeks wet with tears as I release my last dart. Its softly whistled hiss closing the distance between us, before slamming hard against the small golden key that hangs from his neck and ricocheting right back where it lands in a muffled thud at my feet.

I missed.

The three worlds are now his.

I’m so sorry.

It’s the last thing I think before the beast comes barreling toward me.

FORTY-ONE

THE BEAST

An old woman calls out from behind me. Her voice echoing from across the divide. She’s mistaken me for someone else. Insists on calling me by a name I don’t recognize.

She’s a nuisance.

Can’t leave well enough alone and be glad she was spared.

Still not sure why I didn’t kill her when I had the chance. Something inside just wouldn’t allow it.

It’s a mistake I won’t make again.

I shift my attention to the girl standing before me. A vision of emerald-green eyes, shining dark hair, and a tattered silk gown, she clings to a slim wisp of hope that died long ago, the darkness has rendered her blind.

Unlike me. I got the night on my side.

I close the few steps between us, inhaling the wondrous perfume of her flesh, wondering how anything could smell so enticingly sweet, as she whispers a prayer to a boy she once loved, then levels her weapon at me.

Her aim is true, but her heart is reluctant, filled with regret.

A battle between the emotion and intellect, duty and longing. It’s no wonder she misses and the dart strikes the inexplicable small golden key that hangs from my neck.

Must be some sort of protective amulet left over from the days I was human.

I take it as proof that I’m here for a reason.

I loom over her, searching for the look of betrayal, outrage, and fear I saw on the last one, but find only a resigned acceptance instead. Even when I throw my head back and release a loud and thunderous roar, she continues to gaze at me with love in her heart.

I raise an arm high. Arc it straight toward her. But once again, my hand falters. Leaving me staring mutely into her beautiful face, overcome by something I can’t quite identify, when my body goes numb and I drop to my knees. Swaying helplessly for a handful of seconds, before my legs give out, my heart sputters, and I land hard on my side.

The girl drops beside me, casts a worried gaze at my face. The expression she wears telling me, this is it.

The beast is dying.

But strangely, he’s not dying alone.

The talons shrink.

A hail of black feathers spill to the ground.

As the girl brushes a tender hand to my forehead, and says, “It’s not this breath, but the one that follows that determines whether you live or die. Focus on the next one, Dace, and the one after that. Please, whatever you do, try to keep breathing.”

Dace?

It’s the same name the old woman called me. Must mean something to them.

The girl takes my hand in hers, places that small golden key in my palm, and folds my fingers around it until the truth comes roaring back and it all falls into place.

It’s more than just a talisman—it’s a key to the past. A passport that leads to a future I can no longer have. Unlocking a cache of memories that return in a rush—the girl has a name—an identity—a revered place in my life. The knowledge streaming through me as quick as a flash.

“Turns out, you were right,” she whispers, her eyes wide and glittering. “There’s only one force strong enough to overcome evil—love. Our love.”

She brings her lips to my cheek as I heave a breath so ragged I’m sure it’s my last. No time left to tell her how sorry I am to leave her with so many unrealized dreams. How lucky I was to know her—to love her—for the short time I did.

FORTY-TWO

DAIRE

It’s a half prophecy.

A half victory.

Half dark—half light.

Just like the twins who started it all.

Though the Richters have finally been stopped, with Dace dying before me and the three worlds gone dark, it’s hardly worth celebrating.

I crumple beside him, throw my body over his. Clinging to the promise of the whistle and wheeze in his chest, while cursing the injustice of a destiny that demands more than I’m able to bear.

His pulse fades.

An ominous gurgle seeps from his lips.

The death rattle.

Won’t be long before it ceases for good.

I lift my face to the sky and release a wail of sorrow so deep, the earth rumbles beneath me, a blast of wind buffets my body, as a shower of hail pelts down from above.

Once again, the joke is on me.

I’m powerful enough to manipulate the elements, but woefully helpless when it comes to saving my loved ones.

I settle beside him, trace a finger across the width of his brow, and remove my tears that spill onto his cheek. “You once said that miracles are nothing more than the truest expression of love.” I press my lips to his ear. “If you still believe that, then feel my love now, Dace. And breathe. Please breathe . . .”

“It was Leftfoot who taught him that.” The voice drifts from behind me, and though I can’t see her, I recognize it as Paloma’s.

She’s here!

I can feel her essence all around me.

Seems my earlier prayers weren’t ignored after all.

“It was Jolon who taught it to Leftfoot. Jolon was a wise and gifted healer. It’s said he shared a direct link to the divine. He worked many miracles, but took credit for none—claiming a healer never works alone. All healings are based on the compassionate help of the spirits, he said. And it’s true. It’s why we are here for you now.”

The moment she says it, I can feel the presence of Django, Valentina, Alejandro, and all the rest of them. Countless generations of Santos ancestors gathered around me, prepared to guide me.

Paloma rests a hand on my shoulder. Her touch so reassuring I return to Dace with a heart full of hope. My hands moving over his torso, seeking a wound. Though it’s not long before I determine that the outside is as perfect as ever. It’s the inside that’s failing.

“The damage is internal. Something tells me it’s his heart that’s failing.” I strain to see through the dark to the shadowy figures who guide me. Though they remain unseen, I can still feel them, and it’s Django who speaks next.

“Daire, my beautiful baby girl. I’ve been watching after you since the day you were born, and I’m so incredibly proud of you. Not only have you faced the very thing I tried so hard to flee—you’ve succeeded in all the places I failed.”

“The only way to heal Dace is to love him.” The voice belongs to Valentina. “Jolon was right about miracles—they’re nothing more than love in action. But you’ll have a hard time working one if you can’t find it within you to love yourself first.”

I swallow hard, reach for the key that hangs from Dace’s neck with one hand, while grasping my own with the other.

“When you curse your destiny, you curse yourself,” Django says. “I’m a prime example of that. But you are the Seeker, Daire. And Dace was so proud of you he gave you the tool that allowed you to take him down. He understood all too well what you would be called to do, and he forgave you long ago. Now it’s time for you to forgive yourself. Time for you to love yourself. It’s the only hope Dace has, but you can’t give what you don’t have.”

Love myself.

A pretty tall order considering the circumstances.

Still I’m committed to trying, I have everything to lose if I don’t.

My father’s words reminding me of the day I visited Paloma’s grave—when I faced the mountain and rededicated myself to my legacy and the destiny I was born to claim.

No matter what becomes of me—I won’t go down easily. The Richters will pay for the heinous acts they’ve wrought on this town—on my loved ones—on the Lower, Upper, and Middleworlds, which are mine to keep balanced.

From the moment I killed Cade, I made good on at least half my word. Though the three worlds still need to be dealt with.

Still, no one ever promised a clean victory. And Paloma always warned that a Seeker’s life is one of incredible sacrifice.

But what if it doesn’t have to be?

As I’ve already seen, prophecies are not concrete.

What if the future really is mine to design?

I lean toward Dace, pushing our keys together until the edges are evenly matched. Clearing my heart of regret and replacing it with a surplus of love, I lower my lips to meet his and kiss him with all that I have.

But it’s not enough.

His breath hitches. Falters. And I have no idea what to do next—until Paloma whispers, “It’s just like I taught you, nieta. You’ve got to peer through the darkness and see with your heart—if you are to see his.”

I shutter my eyes, blocking out everything but the boy lying before me. Cutting through the darkness I delve inside his body, peering at a heart choked by a tangled web of darkness that must be removed if Dace has any hope of surviving.

Now turn on your light.

With my hands centered over his chest, I summon my light and project it toward him. Watching it chip away at the darkness until it’s nearly diminished, allowing his heart to swell and expand.

But before it can be completely eradicated, Dace heaves a harsh breath, followed by another.

“Not to worry,” Valentina says. “The bit of darkness that remains won’t harm him. Everyone has a shadow side. This just makes him human. Though there’s still more to do, your fix is only temporary.”

“Wait—what?” I peer into the dark. “He’s breathing—what more can I do?”

“While your light has served to illuminate his darkness—when you killed his twin, he took a piece of Dace’s soul with him,” Paloma says. “Without it, I’m afraid he won’t last.”

No.

No!

I rock back on my heels. Hardly able to believe I had it all wrong. I was sure that the only way to kill Cade without harming Dace was to catch him in beast mode, or, in his case, Coyote mode. Turns out I was wrong.

One brother down.

Won’t be much longer until the other one follows.

“But there is a way . . .” Django hovers by my side. “I’ve seen your soul, Daire. It’s strong—fueled by so much love and light I’m betting you have plenty to spare.”

I glance over my shoulder, and for one fleeting second I see him, really see him, materializing before me. The father I’ve only known from old photos is smiling and nodding and encouraging me to act before it’s too late.

I return to Dace, unsure how to proceed.

“Think of it like a soul jump,” Paloma says.

“Only this time, you’ll leave a piece of your soul behind,” Valentina chimes in. “You’ll be bound forever—but isn’t that what you both want?”

Bound.

Fated.

In the way we always dreamed.

Finally, the nightmare that started this journey gets a new ending.

I focus on Dace with all that I have, vaguely aware of my body collapsing as I enter his world and my soul merges with his.

Viewing Dace as a young boy, eagerly exploring the world.

Dace as a teen, the very first day he laid eyes on me.

Dace as the beast, calling on every scrap of what remained of his will to spare me from his drive to kill.

His love for me matched only by my love for him—I leave him with a piece of my soul and slowly extricate myself.

Finding myself back in my body only to discover the world is still dark.

My ancestors are gone.

And Dace is lying inert before me.

I’ve failed.

Truly failed.

Nothing left to do now but wait for the end.

The thought leaving me strangely still and bereft—until Dace drags a long inhale and pulls me into his arms.

FORTY-THREE

XOTICHL

The second the world falls dark, Auden clasps tightly to my hand and we fall into a state of communal stunned silence.

There’s no need to speak, when we both know what it means.

Daire is dead.

The beast has won.

The dark days have dawned.

And our lives are over before they had a chance to really get started.

Though, for Auden and me, our lives were in jeopardy well before that.

“Auden, I—” I want to share my regret at not being able to see how the Richters were manipulating us all this time, when I notice a sliver of space opening up all around him.

At first it’s subtle. No more than a glimmer. Though it’s not long before it expands into a glorious nimbus of light that circles around him. Stretching and pulling at the edges until he’s completely illuminated.

“Auden,” I whisper. “You’re glowing! Can you see it?”

“Are you serious? I can’t even see my own hand.” He raises it between us and wiggles his fingers to illustrate his point.

“Wait—” I fall silent for a handful of seconds, long enough to see if my suspicions are right.

“Xotichl, what is it?” He squeezes my fingers, but the glow is now gone and I can no longer see him.

“If I’m not mistaken, I think I might’ve just found a way to get us out of here.” The sound of my voice bouncing off Auden’s form causes him to light up again, confirming I’m right. “It’s kind of like echolocation, except instead of sensing the sound wave of the object before me, I can actually see what’s before me.”

“You can see me? Now? Seriously?”

“I can’t see you in perfect detail, but I can definitely determine it’s you. You know, when I first started seeing Paloma, I asked her to show me how to do it, especially when we discovered I was guided by Bat. But Paloma said she could do me even better, and taught me how to rely on my blindsight. And yet, ever since my vision returned, my blindsight was lost. Until now.”

“What do you think changed?”

“I think it’s because I was never afraid of the dark. Before I met Paloma and started reading energy, eternal night was the natural state of my being. Whatever the reason, as long as I keep talking, I’m pretty sure I can lead us out of here.” I take a step forward, tug on Auden’s hand, expecting him to follow, but he remains firmly in place.

“Where are we going, flower? If it’s dark here, it’s dark everywhere. Doesn’t matter where you lead us. It’s all the same in the end.”

While he makes a good point, there’s no denying I’ve just been offered a gift, and I refuse to ignore it. “Honestly,” I say, “I have no idea where we’ll end up. But we’ll never get further than here if we don’t at least try. As long as our friends are still out there I refuse to call it quits. At the very least, we need to determine what happened to them.”

FORTY-FOUR

LITA

The second the world turns dark, I sink to my knees in surrender.

Overcome by a combination of exhaustion and I-no-longer-give-a-crap defeat, I officially call an end to the fight.

I’ve been running from demons and hiding from Richters for too many hours to count. And now, with Daire clearly dead, I don’t see the point in continuing.

There’s nowhere to go.

Nothing to see.

It’s just a matter of time before evil claims me.

I drop my head in my hands. Give myself permission to cry. But surprisingly, the tears just won’t come. Instead of the panic I assumed I would feel, I find myself immersed in a strange wave of calm.

I guess there really is peace in certainty.

Even if the thing you’re certain about is your own grisly demise, it’s still better than the anxiety that comes with not knowing.

And it’s not like I don’t see the irony.

When Axel first left, it felt like the end of the world. But clearly I was wrong. The end doesn’t feel anything like I imagined it would.

It’s not at all panicky.

Doesn’t make my heart ache so badly I’m sure it’s about to implode.

It just feels final.

Imminent.

Sure to find me when it’s good and ready.

With nothing more to do than wait, I settle onto the ground and curl up on my side. Resting my head on my arm, I tuck my chin to my chest, and allow my eyes to drift closed, when something floaty and soft tickles the tip of my nose.

I gasp. Leap to my feet. Convinced some kind of foul creature, most likely a cockroach since they’re definitely set to inherit the earth, is building a nest in the neckline of my dress, I frantically bat at myself, until it tips from the bodice and glides to my feet, where I discover it isn’t even remotely close to an insect.

It’s the eagle feather Axel gave me right before he left.

Same feather I stashed in my bra, figuring it was useless.

But now, with nothing to lose, I hold it before me and squint into the dark. Striving to make out its lilting form, but unable to discern anything more than the shadowy curve of its vane, I close my eyes and make a wish.

One that isn’t the least bit frivolous.

If Axel is right, if belief and intent really are the spine of both miracles and magick, then I can’t afford to not take this seriously. Gathering every shred of faith that remains, I project it onto the feather. Refusing to feel silly, refusing any emotion other than my unwavering devotion to see that it’s done.

Imagining how the scene might look. How it might make me feel, both inside and out. Until I’m so consumed with the vision, I snap my eyes open, expecting to see it manifesting before me, only to find I’m surrounded by black.

I settle back onto the ground, bring my legs to my chest, and wrap my arms around them. Consoling myself with the thought: At least I tried. At least I gave it all that I had. When a hand clasps onto my shoulder, and Xotichl says, “Hey, Lita. You okay?”

FORTY-FIVE

DACE

“How much do you remember?”

Daire lifts a hand to my brow, and I’m quick to reach up, clasp it in mine. All the while giving silent thanks for the darkness that shrouds me.

While I’m glad the beast has been slayed, while I’m grateful to be reunited with the love of my life, unfortunately, I have full recall of every heinous act.

Every evil urge.

My rampage lives on in a spool of horrifying images that’ll haunt me for the rest of my days, and I couldn’t bear for her to see me this way.

But to Daire, I just say, “I remember plenty. Enough to know I’ll never be able to make up for all that I’ve done—”

She places a finger to my lips, halting the words. “The Richters are gone. You spared Chepi’s life. And while you could have easily killed me, you always stopped short.”

“And what about Leftfoot?” My voice croaks. I bury my face in my hands. Tormented by the image of my mentor and friend with his slashed and bloodied neck. “He wasn’t a demon. Wasn’t even a Richter. He was like a father to me. How am I supposed to make peace with that?”

Daire falls quiet, taking a moment to gather her thoughts before she speaks. “It was an accident—Jennika shot you with an arrow and in your attempt to flee, you accidentally cut him.” I turn my head to the side, reluctant to believe her. “Look, you may never make peace with your actions, but you have to accept the things you’re unable to change. Otherwise, peace will elude you in all facets of life, not just the ones of your choosing.”

I pull her to me. Fold my arms tightly around her. Aware of her soft even breath, the cool smoothness of her skin. Marveling at how close she came to dying at my hand—but for some reason, even in full-blown beast mode, I couldn’t go through with it.

Though the all-consuming desire to make Leandro pay for what he did to my mother never abated.

I’m glad he’s finally gone.

I take solace in knowing he can never again harm anyone who has the misfortune of veering into his path.

Though it does nothing to erase the harm he’s already caused.

Still, if Chepi’s learned to live with it, found a way to look past the painful memory of how I came to be, then maybe, someday, I can learn to accept it as well.

“So, where do we go from here?” I return to Daire.

“First, we find a way to return order to the worlds, then we locate our friends.” Her voice is determined. “And then, once that’s done, we celebrate this event like the victory it is.”

“Any ideas on how to begin?”

Daire grins. Although I can’t see it, I can feel it in the way her energy lightens and lifts. “That’s where Raven comes in.”

I remain quiet, the question posed by my silence. Raven’s locked in a cage, somewhere in the distance.

“Raven flies into the dark to bring forth the light.”

“Another soul merge?” I ask, my voice betraying my worry. Although she hasn’t mentioned it, I can feel her presence thrumming inside me. Unlike the beast, hers is a presence I cherish. She’s the reason I’m here. The reason behind every breath. And while I’m grateful beyond words, I worry another attempt will leave her depleted.

“Not to worry,” Daire says. “After all of this time, I finally understand what Paloma was really trying to teach me. I don’t have to merge with Raven to call on the power of Raven. He guides me. He’s in me. All I have to do is access his truth. There’s an old story about Raven stealing the sun from Coyote, who was determined to keep the world shrouded in darkness. It was back in Valentina’s time. She was one of the earliest Seekers, she went to great risk to document the events of her life and she’s often the one who comes to me in times of distress. Despite the centuries that separate us, my life often mirrors hers. But now, with the Richters finally gone, I’m determined to get a much happier ending than Valentina could secure for herself. It’s like I owe it to both of us.”

“And how does Raven fit in?”

“By realizing the underlying truth of the story. The light Raven brings forth isn’t just out there, it’s in here.” Daire grasps my hand, presses it tightly to her chest. “Paloma always told me to use my light—claiming it’s the one thing that would lead the way. At the time, I chalked it up to more woo-woo, abuela, Seeker-speak. I didn’t really give it a whole lot of credence. But there’s no denying it was my light that brought you back. And I’m hoping to use that light to illuminate the three worlds again. It’s time I use my connection to the elements for something more than an outlet for grief.”

She lets go of my hand, gets to her feet, and stands tall beside me. Humming the first few lines of a song under her breath, when she’s interrupted by the distant clamor of footfalls.

More Richters.

Or, perhaps even demons.

Who else would charge so freely through the night?

Guess I didn’t get them all like I thought.

I stand before Daire. Feet spread wide, hands clenched by my sides, as she continues her song, not missing a beat. With no place to take cover, we’re completely exposed. Still I’ll do whatever it takes to keep my girl safe.

I take a step forward, ready to face the threat, whatever it may turn out to be. The bit of darkness Daire failed to eradicate thrumming, stirring, enlivened by the possibility of another bout of violence, an act of revenge.

Only this time, unlike the last time, the darkness is mine to control.

I will do what’s required and no more.

I won’t be ruled by revenge fantasies—won’t cause any more harm than is actually warranted.

The ground shakes from under my feet.

A fierce wind whips through the land.

As the night sky cracks open, releasing a hard-driving rain.

And still the enemy approaches.

Daire’s singing the songs of Wind—Fire—Earth—Air—the very harmonies revealed to her after surviving a series of brutal initiations during her training. But while the songs allow her to manipulate the elements—they fail to restore light to the worlds.

“Come,” she says, interrupting her song. “We’re stronger together.”

I hesitate, reluctant to turn my back on the enemy when there’s so much at stake.

“Did you actually believe what you told me?” she asks. “When you said that love is the only force more powerful than evil.” Her voice is impatient, and with good reason. Still, when I hesitate, she says, “Love is the reason you’re here. Love is what saved you. And that’s all the proof that I need. Now, I’m hoping it’s strong enough to save us all. So forget about protecting us with your fists, and take hold of my hand, before it’s too late.”

Without hesitation, I do as she says. The two of us standing together in a wall of love and solidarity, with a whisper of hope held tight in our hearts. Waiting for either the sun to rise, or the world to end.

Either way, we’ll meet it together.

FORTY-SIX

DAIRE

It’s always darkest before the dawn.

Or at least that’s what I tell myself to explain away the earth rumbling under our feet, the wind lashing our bodies, and the torrent of rain pelting our heads.

If I’m the cause, if I’m the one manipulating the elements, and there’s no doubt I am, why is it I only seem capable of destruction?

I grip Dace’s hand tighter. Buoyed by his energy, his love, his willingness to believe in me and my ability to reverse all that’s been done—all the while humming the four songs under my breath. Earth, Air, Water, Fire—songs that came at great risk. Songs that were only revealed after passing their tests.

Their lyrics connecting me to the elements, in much the same way Dace was once connected to Cade. Each depending on the other for its very existence.

The tips of my fingers begin to vibrate and thrum, and it’s not long before I realize it’s the result of my contact with Dace. Our combined energy making for a force that’s palpable, alive.

And suddenly I understand the very truth of our existence. It wasn’t just the twins who were connected—we are all connected. Each and every one of us has a role, a duty, to sustain each other and keep the world balanced.

This is exactly what Paloma meant when she told me I never walk alone. While she was mostly referring to my ancestors, and a power far greater than I—I now realize it goes so much deeper than I first realized.

Like the vision I saw in one of the very first dreams that started it all—the moment Dace kissed me and a spark of images blazed through my mind until I finally understood what it was trying to tell me—that I’m an integral part of everything—and everything is an integral part of me.

The thought filling me with so much joy, I shutter my eyes to keep from crying. Captured by the wonder of how it’s possible for my heart to feel so very full when I’ve lost nearly everything I once held so dear.

But the truth is, I haven’t lost anything.

I can feel Paloma beside me, egging me on.

I can hear Valentina whispering words of encouragement into my ear.

I can sense Django’s presence all around me, telling me how proud he is of his little girl.

They’re all here. Every last one of them. And we will do this together.

“Think from the end,” I tell Dace. “Locate the sun in your mind, and position it high into the sky. Feel its warmth. Revel in its light. Believe in your ability to work a miracle, and merge your soul with that of the earth—the elements—the spirit animals. You have to want this with all your heart—more than you’ve ever wanted anything in your life. And you have to place your full intention on seeing it done. Oh, and, in addition to that, you also might want to use every bit of magick Leftfoot taught you. If we can manage it—there’s no reason we can’t pull this off.”

My voice continues to soar, carried by the wind, it echoes through the canyon.

I sing with all I have in me.

Sing until my voice grows hoarse and scratchy.

Aware of Dace glowing beside me—his magick returning life to the earth as the harsh red rock beneath our feet gives way to a soft, squishy lawn.

I can hear Raven call, breaking free of his cage, he lands on my shoulder. His cry soon joined by Paloma’s White Wolf, Django’s Bear, Chay’s Eagle, Valentina’s Raccoon, and many more I can’t immediately recognize.

All of us joined in solidarity—the desire to restore peace and balance to the worlds.

And when Dace squeezes my hand, urging me to open my eyes, I’m met with the glorious sight of a bright golden sun rising before us.

Without my even noticing, at some point during my song, the rain stopped, the earth stilled, the wind died, and dark conceded to light.

And what the night once disguised as the enemy, the light of day has revealed to be our bedraggled group of assorted friends and family.

Xotichl leads the way, as Auden and Lita flank either side, and Jennika, Chepi, and Leftfoot bring up the rear.

All of them filthy, weary, and more radiant than I’ve ever seen them.

FORTY-SEVEN

DAIRE

“Django came.” Jennika looks at me, her eyes wide, as though she can still hardly believe it.

“You actually saw him? As in, he manifested himself before you?” I ask.

She smiles, wraps an arm around my waist, and kisses me smack in the middle of my forehead. The move upsetting Raven who moves from a perch on my shoulder to a nearby tree. “Unless I was hallucinating, which is entirely possible . . .”

“Don’t,” I say. “Don’t doubt your experience. If nothing else, a few visits to Enchantment should’ve taught you that there’s more that remains hidden than seen.”

She rests her head on my shoulder and sighs. Indulging a moment of silence, before she goes on to say, “Is it possible that one of the worst nights of your life could also turn out to be one of the best?” I look at her, waiting for more, but she just shakes her head, choosing to keep the specifics to herself. “A very long story for another day. Let’s just say it was an amazing reunion. Not only did Django help me to heal Leftfoot and save his life, but he also helped me to save my own. I’m finally ready, Daire. I’m finally ready to stop running and take a chance on building something that may or may not turn out to be permanent, but either way, I’m perfectly okay with it.” I hug her tightly, knowing she’s referring to a future with Harlan, and I couldn’t be happier. I’ve been rooting for them since the first day I met him.

“I have so much to tell you, but it can all wait. Just know that I’m so incredibly proud of you. And while I never quite doubted you, I did fear for you.”

“But that’s your job, right?” I grin. “I mean, it’s not like you’re planning on giving that up just because I saved the three worlds from complete devastation.”

“Of course not, don’t be silly.” She wipes a finger under my eye, removing a mascara smudge more out of habit than any real belief that it could possibly work. I’m a mess. Filthy in the way only a long hot shower could possibly remedy. Still, the fact that she even tries makes us both laugh.

“Would you like to touch up my lip gloss too? I’m pretty sure the last of it wore off somewhere between my seventh and eighth demon kill.”

“I wouldn’t even try.” She laughs. “You look far more radiant than you could ever imagine. Besides, you should probably check in with your friends.” She nods toward the place where Lita stands. “Lita in particular. She’s not doing so well.”

Without another word, I head in her direction. Pausing briefly by Dace who’s talking with Leftfoot and Chepi.

“Don’t,” he says, his face bearing the remorse of remembering his acts as the beast. “Please don’t be so forgiving. I don’t deserve it. I nearly killed you—both of you.”

“But you didn’t,” Chepi says. “I knew you were in there. I never once doubted you.”

“I did,” Leftfoot says, causing Dace to look away in deep shame. “Until I saw the look in your eyes just after you cut me. The moment I saw your regret, I knew it was an accident.”

My eyes meet Dace’s, and while they’re a long way from convincing him, at least it’s a start.

I continue toward Lita, only a handful of steps yawning between us when she turns to me and says, “He left me. Just—left me. Me. Lita Winslow. Can you freaking believe that?”

“He must’ve had a good reason,” I say. “Axel loves you. He wouldn’t just up and leave unless there was a really good motive driving him to do it.” The words come quickly, easily, though deep down inside I’m not nearly as sure as I claim. Reminded of how Paloma warned of something like this. Said no good would come of their budding relationship. Turns out, she was right once again.

“Sure there was a reason.” Lita swipes her palm across her face, collecting a handful of tears she transfers to her dress. “He probably has some shiny chick waiting in the Upperworld. Someone who bleeds gold, or maybe even platinum for all I know. Hard to compete with someone like that. Even for me.”

“Doubtful.” I place a hand on her shoulder, try to steer her away from self-defeating thoughts. Knowing all too well just how easy it is to get so sucked into that way of thinking, and what a chore it is to find a way out. “Lita, seriously. Anyone could see that what you two shared was real. After all, you’re Axel’s first love, and—”

“I didn’t say he loved his platinum-bleeding, glowing girl. Maybe he just—” She stops, shakes her head, as though she can’t bear to continue down that path. Plucking the feather from the bodice of her dress, she rolls her eyes and says, “He left me with this. I don’t even know why I keep it. It’s not like it worked.”

She starts to toss it, but I catch it well before it can reach the ground.

“Did you make a wish?” I ask.

She nods. Swipes a hand over her eyes.

“Then don’t trash it. Allow enough time for the dream to manifest.” I press the feather back into her hand.

“I did. Believe me I did. I allowed all the time I can possibly spare, and now I’m officially over it. So. Totally. Over it.”

“You sure about that?” I peer over her shoulder trying to make out the form in the distance.

“Did you miss the part where I said totally?” She sighs, swipes a finger under each eye, fluffs up her curls, and readjusts the bodice of her dress to better enhance her cleavage. Sometimes Lita wears her beauty like armor—a defense to keep people at a safe distance. But just beneath the glossy veneer is a vulnerable girl who’s terrified of being revealed.

“Well, that’s too bad.” I shoot her a sympathetic look. “Guess it’s true what they say about timing being everything. Looks like Axel arrived a few seconds too late.”

At the sound of his name, she spins so fast she’s like a blur of tangled hair, runny mascara, and a black silk gown with a broken strap and severely shredded hem.

But one look at Axel’s face, and it’s clear that to him, she’s the stuff of dreams.

And it’s exactly that look of sincere admiration and love that gets Lita’s game back.

“So, you think you can just ride up on your dark horse like some knight in glowing armor, and I’m supposed to forget you ditched me and left me to fend for myself ?”

“Lita—please.” Axel slides from Horse’s back, revealing the gorgeous, dark-haired girl perched right behind him.

The sight of it causing Lita to inhale a sharp breath, her eyes narrowing, hands trembling ever so slightly, she says, “Oh. Oh, I understand. I understand everything now. Well, that’s just great, Axel. That’s really just so nice . . . so sincere of you . . . so . . .” Here yes fill with tears, her features crumple in the unbearable pain of his betrayal. “Whatever,” she mumbles, turning her back, she starts to move away but doesn’t make it very far before Axel grasps her by the arm and hugs her tightly to him.

“It had to be done.” His voice is tight, face pained. “And I promise to spend the rest of my life making it up to you. But, Lita, please, you’ve got to believe me when I say it wasn’t my choice. It had to happen this way.”

Lita holds her ground, refuses to melt. “You’re gonna have to do a much better job of explaining. I nearly died out there. More than once.” She presses her palms to his chest, pushes him away, as Axel looks over his shoulder, pleading with the girl to step in and help.

“This is Zahra.” He nods in her direction as she slides from Horse’s back and moves to join us. “She’s Daire’s spirit guide,” he adds, causing my eyes to grow wide, my throat to go dry, as I take in her swirl of dark curls, her gleaming brown skin, her unearthly irises the same silvery/pink hue as the gown that she wears.

It makes so much sense I don’t know why I didn’t see it before.

The girl who tried to stop me from fleeing the Upperworld is my spirit guide.

“Axel was never meant to be here.” She stands beside him. Her stoic face and regal stature such a sharp contrast to a voice that rings soft, mellifluous, and instantly assuring.

Though it doesn’t quite work on Lita.

“So, let him go back already. I mean, I don’t even know why you both bothered to come here. Clearly, that’s what he wants, so why rub my nose in it?” Lita turns her back on both of them and folds her arms across her chest. Her angry stance serving as a thin disguise for her undeniable state of absolute heartbrokenness.

“I’m afraid it’s too late for Axel to return,” Zahra tells her, but Lita refuses to budge. “From the moment you made your wish on the eagle feather, the deal was sealed.”

“What?” Lita drops the pretense, whirls on both of them. Her head jerking back and forth between Zahra and Axel. “What are you talking about? What does she mean?” She turns to me as though I might have the slightest idea of what’s truly going on, but I just shrug in response. I’m as clueless as she is.

“Until the portals were opened, Axel was unable to return to the Upperworld. So, the moment he saw an opening, he seized upon it.”

“You don’t have to explain it to me. It’s not like I didn’t witness it firsthand.”

“Well, you say, that, but, as it turns out, there’s a little more to it. At first we all thought he was there to help. With the portals wide open, granting the Richters access, it took us a while to gather our wits and forge a proper response. Though, it wasn’t long before we were able to contain them to this very space, which, to his credit, Axel helped to accomplish. But once things were more or less under control, he confided that his only reason for returning to the Upperworld was to request permission to be permanently released from his duties, his status, so he could permanently live here with you.”

Lita presses a hand to her chest, centers her gaze on the toe of her severely scuffed boot.

“To be honest, I thought he was being incredibly foolish, as did most everyone else. I couldn’t imagine why he would choose a life in the Middleworld with all of its inherent pain and difficulties when he could enjoy a much easier existence with us.”

“And what did you say?” Lita lifts her gaze to meet Axel’s, her expression guarded, though the surge of hope in her voice gives her away.

“I told her that a life that included you was well worth any difficult or painful moment that might come my way.”

Lita swallows hard, blinks several times to hold back the tears, but it’s no use.

“And I told him he was being utterly foolish,” Zahra says, and from the look on her face, her opinion hasn’t changed. “So, we came to a compromise and decided to hold him until you used that feather to wish for his return. We had to ensure you felt the same way about him as he does about you.”

Lita remains where she is, her bottom lip trembling, cheeks misted with tears.

“He’s given up his gifts, his magick, to be human. To be with you.” Zahra watches impassively, as Lita, unable to keep her emotions in check, rushes into Axel’s outstretched arms. Not the least bit swayed by their reunion, she shakes her head and says, “This is all fine and good now. But what you all conveniently forget is that she’s only sixteen. She has no idea what she’ll want in a year, never mind for the rest of her life.”

“Seventeen,” Lita says, burying her face in Axel’s neck. “I had a birthday. I’m sorry you missed it.”

“The fact is, you’re young. Impressionable. With a teenager’s romantic notion of love. There’s a very good chance you won’t always feel this way once the reality of a long life together sets in.”

“Zahra—” Axel reluctantly removes himself from Lita’s embrace. “I think we’ve already seen firsthand that none of us can predict the future. Even when the future has been predicted for us, it’s subject to change. So while I thank you for granting me this wish, it’s time for you to let me enjoy the beginning of my new life with my girl.”

He slips an arm around Lita’s shoulders and leads her away, and that’s when I notice the most remarkable change I’ve failed to notice until now.

I mean, sure Axel’s eyes have transitioned from a soft, unearthly shade of lavender to a deeper, more human shade of violet. And yes, his complexion is a lot less pale and translucent now that real human blood flows through his veins. But whereas before his movements used to cast only light, now I watch as the two of them walk together, casting individual shadows.

Zahra turns to me then, her disapproval beginning to fade. “I’m not here to claim you, if that’s what you think.”

“You couldn’t if you tried.” I fold my arms across my chest, but more out of fatigue than anything else. She may be a cynic, she may be one of the least romantic persons I’ve ever met, but the truth is, I can’t help but like her. Mostly because she reminds me of the way I used to be before I came to Enchantment. Before I realized the value in things like friends, family, and love.

“Turns out, I’m glad you fled.” She regards me with an amused gleam in her eye. “In retrospect, I can’t imagine what might’ve become of us if you hadn’t escaped.”

“But would any of this have happened without my participation?” It’s a question I’ve avoided asking myself.

“Maybe, maybe not. Though I’m inclined to think it would’ve happened even sooner. Which is why I spent the entire journey trying to come up with a proper way to thank you.”

“Thank me?” My voice lifts with surprise. That’s pretty much the last thing I was expecting.

“Gratitude is the Upperworld currency, you know.”

“What exactly are you?” I say. “My guide or my fairy godmother?”

“Today, I guess I’m a little of both.” She lifts her shoulders and grins in a way that curls her lips, widens her cheeks, and makes her eyes gleam a glorious silvery/pink.

“You’re serious?”

The nod that follows confirms that she is.

So I take a moment to ponder the long list of things I could ask for, then I turn to her and say, “Bring me Chay’s body so I can give him a proper burial.”

She shakes her head. Her tone as final as her gaze, she says, “No. Absolutely not. My intention is to grant a wish that serves you—not someone else.”

“But that’s the thing. It is for me. Chay was my mentor, my friend. In a lot of ways, he was like a father to me, and I let him down. If you’ll just see it within you to grant me this wish, I’d feel a lot better, which would benefit me immeasurably.”

“First of all, you didn’t let him down. Chay died doing what he’s always done best, which is helping others. While I admit, when things got hectic up here, we lost sight of all of you down there. But eventually Eagle managed to get through and alert us, and it wasn’t long after that Chay’s guide went down to greet him. He’s in a good place now, I promise you that. They buried his body near that spring you like so much down in the Lowerworld.”

“The Enchanted Spring?”

She grins. “I know it’s one of your favorites. Which is one of the reasons we chose it. That way you can visit him whenever you want. Though, as I know you already know, you don’t have to go there to find him . . .”

“He’s a part of everything now.” I allow myself a ghost of a smile. Another one of Paloma’s lessons. “Though, as I recently discovered, you don’t have to die in order to achieve that—we are all of us connected to everything around us.”

“You’re a good student,” Zahra says. “And an even better Seeker. Still, there’s one last thing left to do.”

I squint, having no idea what she means. The Richters are gone. The three worlds are in order. What could possibly be left undone?

She points to the tourmaline ring on my finger. “Use it to release the residents of Enchantment. We guided them home, but they’re lost, confused, running on empty. As the Seeker, it’s up to you to restore them to their former selves and help them find their way.”

“How?”

“You’ll figure it out.” When she smiles, her entire being is illuminated. “In the meantime, please consider my offer. And when you’ve decided on a wish that’s entirely for you, ask Lita for the eagle feather and I promise to see that it’s done. Actually, in light of all you’ve accomplished, I’m feeling generous. So, how about I offer a wish for each of your friends as well. But for now . . .” I look at her. “I don’t mean to be rude, but it’s time for you to go back to your worlds. The portals will close soon, and if you stay here much longer, you’ll be staying for good. You know how to return?”

“Follow the same trail I arrived on?”

“Yes. Only now you won’t find the journey nearly as treacherous.”

When she turns to leave, I’m overcome with the strange sensation of loss. And before I can stop myself, I say, “Will I see you again?”

“I’ll see you every day. I’m always with you, Daire. But, if you can manage to stay out of trouble, I don’t expect to see you in these parts again for a very long while.”

I have so many things to ask her, so many puzzles to solve, but before I can get to the words, she walks a few feet away and disappears into a wondrous burst of white light.

FORTY-EIGHT

DAIRE

It’s not until we stop in the Lowerworld to pay our respects to Chay that I decide on a wish just for me.

The thing about being a Seeker is my gifts of healing and insight are mostly geared toward helping others. When it comes to my own stuff, I’m as clueless as anyone, left to rely on a gut I’m still learning to trust.

Still, it’s the only thing I can think of, and, if I place the right parameters around it, it might prove to be fun.

But first, I’ll let my friends have a go. So after asking Lita for the feather, I hold it before me and relay everything Zahra told me.

“Trust me,” Lita says, happily nestled in the shelter of Axel’s arms. “This is an opportunity you won’t want to waste. That feather is magick.”

In a sign of respect for the elders who have given so much, I offer it first to Leftfoot, but he’s quick to decline. Claiming he has everything he could every possibly want now that he’s lived long enough to see Enchantment liberated from the Richters’ hold, he passes it to Chepi, who clutches it in both hands, closes her eyes, and says, “I wish for my son to find peace and forgiveness for what he’s done.” Her gaze centers on Dace as he squeezes my hand.

Jennika’s next, wishing to never lose sight of the things Django taught her. Then she hands it to Axel, who turns to Lita and says, “My wish is standing right here beside me.”

Xotichl is next, and we watch as she pinches the quill between her fingers and takes a moment to settle her gaze on each of us, pausing as though trying to memorize our individual features. “I wish to be returned to the way I was before I first came to the Lowerworld,” she says.

“Xotichl!” Lita gasps. “You only get one shot—how could you—”

“It’s okay.” Xotichl shrugs. “Really. Most of you have known me forever, which means you should know that I don’t need my sight in order to see. Especially when I see far better without it. True vision doesn’t depend on the eyes. I guess I always knew that in theory, but now I know it for real.”

She leans into Auden and he slips an arm around her, whispers into her ear. So visibly moved by her wish, he needs a moment before he can voice his. “With the Richters dead, we’re probably in the clear, but just in case, I’m asking for Xotichl and me to be released from that contract Luther had me sign. I want to go back to playing local clubs with Epitaph and become successful the old-fashioned way—because we earn it and our music merits it—not because I traded my soul for fortune and fame.”

Xotichl squints at him, her eyes filled with tears, as Auden pulls her tightly to his chest and drops a kiss onto her forehead, and we all turn away, allowing them a moment of privacy.

When it’s Dace’s turn, he simply says, “I want the same thing I’ve wanted since the day Daire Lyons Santos stepped into my life.”

And when he returns the feather to me, I hold it tightly, and say, “I want a glimpse into the future. I want to see one good thing I can cling to if things should ever turn bad again.”

Dace squeezes my shoulder as I close my eyes and wait, trusting the vision will appear in my head, but it’s Valentina’s laughter I hear instead.

Open your eyes, she urges, so I do.

I snap my eyes open, and suddenly, I’m looking at an image of me, but I’m no longer in the Lowerworld. I’m in . . . a sick bed?

But I said one good thing!

Keep looking, she tells me.

I’m sweaty.

Clammy.

Pale in some places, flushed in others.

My hair much shorter than it is now, barely reaching my shoulders.

There are faint traces of lines fanning my eyes, a slim gold band on my left ring finger, and I seem to be in some sort of distress. Or maybe just exhausted, it’s hard to tell.

One thing’s for sure—I should’ve known better.

Should’ve never asked for a peek into the future.

I never allowed myself that kind of indulgence before, so why risk it now? Just because the Richters are dead doesn’t mean this will end any better.

I mean, what’s next? A vision of the Bone Keeper and her sinister skirt of snakes flaying my flesh and collecting their bounty?

Daire, please, Valentina says. Have I ever let you down?

Well, there were times you failed to show . . . but, now I realize you were always standing by, letting me find my own way.

Which is what I’m doing now. Keep watching . . .

I switch from doubt and anxiety to the scene unfolding before me, and that’s when I see it.

That’s when I begin to understand what’s really occurring.

And before I can do anything to stop it, my face is streaming with tears at the sight of Dace standing before me, his hair cropped short, his body lean and muscular, his features a bit more angular than they are now, but he’s still as devastatingly handsome as ever, if not more so for all that we’ve been through together. And standing right beside him is a young woman I instinctively recognize as a midwife I trained, placing a newborn baby in each of his arms.

Twins!

And they’re ours?

You’re a doctor of holistic health. Dace is the mayor of Enchantment. And this is your family—a boy and a girl.

Enjoy your “something to cling to.” Valentina laughs, circling her arms around me and embracing me with such an abundance of unconditional love I nearly fold under the weight of it. The two of us watching the future fade. And when it’s no more than a memory, she vanishes with it, leaving me sobbing before my family and friends.

“I really hope those are tears of joy,” Lita says.

I nod. Swipe the back of my hand across my cheeks, and confirm that they are.

“Are you going to tell us what you saw?” Xotichl asks.

“And spoil the surprise?” I sniff, shake my head, still captured by the wonder of it. “No way.” I grin. “But someday, I promise, you’ll see for yourself.” I wrap my arms around my waist, hardly able to contain the surge of happiness and joy streaming within. Unable to recall a time when I’ve felt so content, I return to the present, the life that I’ve made, the wonderful people gathered around me, and place the feather on top of Chay’s grave.

When it’s done, Leftfoot looks at us and says, “I think it’s time we head home.”

Everyone mumbles their agreement and starts to follow his lead, except for Dace and I who continue to linger.

“Aren’t you coming?” Jennika peers at me with red-rimmed eyes, her hair falling in soft messy waves around her dirt-smudged features. Her filthy, torn clothes a testament to all that she risked to support me.

“Go home. Get some rest.” I move in for a hug. Hoping to convey just how much I appreciate all that she’s sacrificed on my behalf, not just today, but pretty much every day since she brought me into the world. “Dace and I are going to stick around for a bit. We’ll catch up later.”

She nods. Traces a finger over each cheek, and tucks my hair back behind my ears. “Be safe.” She lifts the buckskin pouch from her neck, and loops it around mine.

“Django’s Bear.” I finger the drawstring, about to retrieve it and give it to her. “Do you want it? As a way to remember?”

“I don’t need it.” She grins. “I made my wish. It’s as good as done.”

Dace and I stand together, watching as Leftfoot leads them away. Then he pulls me into his arms, kisses the very tip of my nose, and says, “So, now that they’re gone, will you tell me?”

“Tell you what?” I tilt my head, lift my gaze to meet his, knowing exactly what he’s referring to but enjoying the tease.

“C’mon, just a hint?” He presses a kiss on my forehead, my cheek, before settling onto my lips.

“And wreck the surprise? No way!” My lips merge with his in a kiss that’s soft and affectionate at first, though it’s not long before it deepens into an urgent need for more.

Despite my exhaustion, despite knowing firsthand what they mean when they say bone tired, here, in Dace’s arms, I’m teeming with an overwhelming sense of triumph and aliveness. Finally realizing—really, truly realizing—the enormity of what we pulled off.

The full extent of our victory so much bigger than putting a stop to Coyote.

By working together, we thwarted a prophecy.

Only this time in a way that undeniably eradicates evil and celebrates good.

The world spared because of our capacity to love, even when it wasn’t easy to do.

Dace pulls away, leaving my lips cold in his absence. “Shall we?” He motions toward the spring. Its misty bubbling waters seeming to beckon.

“I think we’ve earned it, don’t you?”

He grins, his icy-blue eyes finding mine, reflecting my image thousands of times. “You look exactly as I envisioned you that day at the cave.”

I cock my head, at first not sure what he’s getting at.

“When I came to you in your vision quest, and described the beautiful, radiant woman you would someday become if you could just hang in there.”

“I remember,” I say, voice thick with the memory.

“You made it, Daire.”

“We both made it,” I say.

“It’s like coming full circle. This is where it all began in the dream we both shared. Only this time, with the Richters gone, the ending is ours to determine.”

We shed our clothes quickly and step in. The waters rising to our waists until we grasp each other’s hand and immerse ourselves completely, only to emerge newly healed and refreshed.

I move toward him, clasp my hands at the back of his neck, and pull him down to me. My fingers stroking the soft spot at the nape of his neck, my tongue seeking his. At first wondering what it is that makes this kiss so different from all the others that came before, but when he cups his hands to either side of my face and gazes deeply into my eyes, I instantly realize the one ingredient that was always lacking until now is the certainty that Dace and I have a future together.

A future far lovelier than I ever allowed myself to imagine.

“Are we happy?”

I angle my face toward his, not quite sure what he means.

“In the future. In the vision you saw. Are we happy?”

I nod.

“As happy as we are now?”

I grin, snaking my fingers over the curve of his shoulders, across the tautness of his chest where I pause on the key, before moving down the valley of his abdomen, and then lower still. “That depends.” I grin. “How happy would you say you are now?”

His features soften. His gaze grows blunted. “Very,” he breathes. “Extremely happy. And you?” His fingers do their own exploring as he leads me out of the water and onto the soft bed of grass where we lie side by side, staring contentedly at the glorious, turquoise-blue sky draped overhead.

“You know, I never believed you until now.” I turn, prop myself onto my elbow, and rest my head on my hand. “The first time you told me, I thought for sure it was just another one of Leftfoot’s stories. But, as it turns out, I never should’ve doubted you. It wasn’t a fable at all.”

“What’re you talking about?” He trails a finger across the ledge of my collarbone, then toys with the small golden key that hangs between my breasts.

“That.” I watch as he lifts his chin, follows the tip of my pointing finger to the blazing ball of sun overhead. “There really is a sun in the Lowerworld. Who knew?”

He throws his head back and laughs, the sound deep and true. “I knew,” he says, anchoring his leg over mine and pulling me close. “I never doubted any of Leftfoot’s stories, no matter how crazy they might’ve seemed at the time.”

He runs a palm down my side, tracing the curves and valleys of my torso. His touch so intoxicating I instantly melt, though it’s nothing compared to the sensation of his lips following the very same path set by his hands.

I cup my hands to his cheeks, and pull him back to me. The look we share saying more than any words could. The past is behind us, the future sprawling ahead. But what matters most is this very moment. So we immerse ourselves in the present and the absolute wonder of being together.

“So what should we do about our gifts?” Dace asks, the two of us catching our breaths after another round of loving. Fielding my look of confusion, he says, “You know, our magick? Seems wrong to let it slide just because we accomplished what we set out to do. And yet, it seems kind of lazy to use it for mundane tasks like tidying up the house and locating the remote.”

I cock my head, feign a look of deep contemplation. “That’s exactly how I planned to use mine. Do you have any idea how many people wish they could manage a household so easily?”

He plants a kiss on the top of the head, gets to his feet, and helps me to stand. Raising an open palm before him, he says, “Well, if you insist . . .” Summoning my tattered red gown, as I collect what remains of his tux, which, at this point is reduced to a pair of fancy black cutoffs and a torn and stained undershirt.

“Don’t we look ravishing.” I shake my head at the spectacle as I pull a nearly shredded strap over my shoulder.

“You always look ravishing to me,” he says. “Question is, do you look ravishing in the future?”

I playfully swat him on the rear. “You’ll just have to stick around long enough to find out.”

I adjust the plunging neckline of my dress, feeling overly exposed under the brightly shining sun, when the blue tourmaline ring falls from the pocket and I’m instantly reminded of Zahra’s instructions.

“What do we do with it?” Dace stoops to retrieve it and places it on the center of my outstretched palm.

“Zahra told me to use it to release all of the others, though what she failed to say was how I’m supposed to go about that.”

Dace shoots me a worried look, and at first I start to feel worried too. But then I remember how I used the ring earlier to accidentally start the fire that ultimately saved me from being mauled by Coyote. And thinking it might work again, I angle it high toward the sun, centering the stone until it’s absorbing the light.

“You might want to shield your eyes,” I warn. “Just in case. It’s only a hunch, but it’s all I’ve got.”

A moment later, the stone and the band surrounding it become so hot I’m about to drop it when it bursts into a million shards of glitter and dust that spill at our feet.

“Well, I guess it’s safe to say that stone’s obliterated,” I say, the two of us staring at the mess. “Still, we won’t know what became of the others until we return to Enchantment.”

“Maybe sooner . . .” Dace scoops a hand into his pocket, coming away with a palm filled with tourmaline shards and dripping blue ink. “This is what remains of the pen Luther gave Auden after signing the contract. Auden gave it to me, asked me to try to find a way to dispose of it. Guess I just did.”

“So, it stands to reason that the other tourmalines are destroyed as well? I mean, there were a lot of tourmalines out there . . .”

“It’s the logical conclusion,” Dace says. “And, for now, it’s all we’ve got to go on.”

“Since when has anything in Enchantment ever been even remotely logical?” I watch as he tries to wipe the ink onto his pant leg, but, for the most part, it’s too late. His palm will be blue for a week.

“It’s a new day.” He abandons the task and grasps my hand with his clean one. “Which means there’s a whole new town for us to discover.”

“You make it sound so exciting.” I lean against him, overcome with an inexplicable reluctance to leave.

“That’s because it is exciting. Except maybe for you.” He tips his finger under my chin, tilts my face toward his. “What gives? You nervous about heading back?”

“A little.” I shrug. “Guess I’ve gotten so used to the evil Enchantment, I’m not sure I’m ready for the new and improved version. Not to mention how the only real challenge I now face is getting through senior year. How can that ever compare to saving three worlds? Do you think I might’ve peaked too soon?”

“I think you’ve only just begun.” He drops a kiss on my cheek, helps me onto Horse’s back, and we begin the journey back to the portal with Horse intuitively leading the way, and Raven riding high on my shoulder.

It’s a ride we’ve made countless times in a similar fashion, but never with quite so much fanfare as now.

All around us animals pop out of shrubs, caves, and elaborate tunnels they’ve carved deep into the earth, calling to us in their various ways, as we make our way to the vortex.

“You ready?” Dace slides free of Horse’s back and I do the same.

Stopping just shy of the place where the vibration is higher, the energy moving quicker, I take a long moment to look all around, knowing I’ll be back many times, but still wanting to memorize this place the way it looks now. Then after bidding goodbye to Raven and Horse, Dace clasps my hand in his and we step through together. The two of us spiraling up through the earth, side by side, only to find this particular portal leads to the Rabbit Hole—though the formerly bleak desert landscape is gone.

“It’s weird to see it so empty.” It’s the first thing I say as we enter the deserted club. “With the instruments still on the stage, and the tables full of bottles and glasses, it looks eerie, almost like it’s been evacuated.”

“In a way, it was,” Dace says. “But surely this is not the first time you’ve seen it that way?” His lips curl at the corner, his eyes flash on mine, and it takes a moment to get the reference.

“So you did know?”

He nods.

“And still you let me go?”

He squints, swipes a hand over his chin. “Wasn’t easy. It took every bit of my strength not to go after you. Luckily, there was still a small a part of me that managed to cling. And it was that part that insisted on sparing you. Besides, it was fun watching Raven breach the Coyote lair right under Leandro’s clueless nose.”

We walk past the plush banquets, the extra-long bar with the gleaming countertop and sparkly snake suspended overhead. Its glass mosaic tiles flashing, blinking, appearing as though the serpent is slithering, which instantly reminds me of Marliz’s tattoo.

She’s finally free. Free of Gabe—free of the Richters’ hold—free to live her own life, her own way. Perhaps she’ll even make it out of Enchantment, find a place to settle and rebuild her life. Or at least that’s what I hope.

“What will become of all this?” I turn to Dace, steering my thoughts away from Marliz and back to more practical matters. “You’re the last remaining Richter, which makes you the sole heir. What will you do if it all becomes yours?”

Dace swipes a hand over his chin and looks all around. “I can’t even wrap my head around the prospect of owning all this.”

“But what if you do end up with it?” I study him closely, my eyes roaming his smooth brow, his perfectly chiseled cheekbones, the sheen of stubble that covers his jaw.

“Seems a shame to waste it. A lot of money was spent on the rebuild, and you have to admit they did a nice job . . .” There’s a sheepish look in his eye, as though seeking permission to claim what’s rightfully his. Both of us knowing this has always been a place of bad energy and worse deeds, and the black onyx they used ensures the energy stays. Though what if we can turn that around? While it’s true that energy never dies, it can be transformed. “Besides,” he says. “Enchantment is sorely in need of a place to hang out.”

“Fine,” I say. “Keep it. I won’t try to stop you. But only on one condition . . .” I narrow my gaze on his. “You have to promise you’ll get rid of all the Coyote insignia.”

“And replace it with Raven?” His brow quirks, his lip tugs at the side.

“Works for me!” I grin, leaning into him as he wraps his arms around me and hugs me tightly to him.

“Ready?” He pauses before the door.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” I heave a deep breath and shield my eyes as he leads me into the daylight where the sun is already noon-high. And while it’s definitely warm out, it’s not nearly as hot as it was before this all started. Hopefully, this marks the start of a cooling trend.

We take a quick detour to check on the chain-link fence where I placed the small golden lock as a symbol of our love last Christmas Eve—both of us amazed and relieved to see it still there. With everything that happened, with everything working against us, our love managed to survive.

And when he leads me to his newly restored Mustang, I can’t help but gasp. “Wow. Lita and Xotichl told me about it, but it’s a whole other thing to see it in person. It looks amazing!”

“A gift from Leandro,” Dace says, helping me into my seat before sliding behind the wheel. “I should probably get rid of it. You know, bad energy and all . . .”

I shrug. “I think you should keep it. And not just because it’s gorgeous, which it is, but because if we set our sights on trying to erase every trace of Leandro, and Coyote in general, well, then we won’t have time for anything else. For better or worse, they founded this town. Now it’s our job to make something of it so it truly lives up to its name.”

The engine roars to life with a single turn of the key, as opposed to the three to four turns it required before, and I settle into the ride and stare out the passenger window. Taking in deeply rutted dirt roads, the scraggly line of rundown adobes, the majestic Sangre de Christo mountain range rising beyond. Musing at how it all looks a little better, a little sunnier, or maybe that’s just the way it looks to me, knowing what I now know.

“It’s funny.” I swivel toward Dace. “I guess I never really noticed until now, but the horizon in Enchantment appears just as inaccessible as it does in the Upper-and Lowerworlds.”

Dace looks at me, places a hand on my knee, and gives it a squeeze. “That’s the thing about the horizon. Every step leads you toward it, but you can never quite reach it. But maybe that’s a good thing? Maybe it’s nature’s way of reminding us to never give up—to always keep striving.”