Even if it were true, he has no right to judge situations he doesn’t understand. And I won’t let him raise his voice at me.

  ?Did Elena tell you that Anxietas was threatening her??

  Sander nods.

  ?She said you knew too! And you ignored it!?

  I lower my gaze.

  Did Elena really tell me? No. I remember nothing like that. If she had, I could never have ignored it.

  ?That’s not true,? I say, surprised by how calm I sound. ?Sander, Elena didn’t tell me anything. Nothing at all. If she had, it would never have slipped past me. I swear it.?

  He stares at me, eyes wide.

  ?If Elena was under the enemy’s influence, I would never have ignored it. That’s serious.?

  He shrugs, eyes still glowing faintly with magic.

  ?Then why did she leave? And why did she tell me??

  I sigh.

  I can’t truly be angry with him. Maybe that’s my weakness. Still, I follow my instinct.

  I kneel in front of the barrier. For once, I don’t want to look stronger than I am.

  ?I don’t know.?

  He watches me with enormous eyes.

  ?Anxietas feeds on fear. He’s known for being a skilled manipulator. If she was under his influence, he could have convinced her of anything without me knowing.?

  His eyes fade back to brown. They grow wet. He lowers them.

  ?Sander, if I made a mistake, I swear I didn’t do it on purpose. I want to bring her back. I miss her. And I need help.?

  He curls in on himself.

  ?I’m not like you… I’m scared. I’m not useful to anyone. That’s why she… she left me there.?

  I don’t want to know whether Elena planted that thought in him, or if it’s his own conclusion.

  But I want to tear that idea out of his head.

  ?Your magic works because it reacts to your fear. And it’s strong because of it. You’re not weak like you think.?

  He looks at me, fists clenched, shaking his head.

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  ?But you don’t have… the fear I have. Otherwise you wouldn’t… fight.?

  I smile.

  If only he’d seen me sleep.

  ?No, Sander. I’m afraid just like you. It’s just that…?

  Damn it. How do I explain responsibility to a boy who has lived alone since the day he was created?

  I breathe and rub my throbbing temples.

  The only thing I know about him is that he’s afraid of Torments.

  Maybe…

  I look at him.

  ?When the Torments attacked your home…? His eyes still shine faintly. ?I bet you were terrified they’d kill you. And destroy your house. Right??

  He nods, hands tight.

  ?I’m in the same situation. The only difference is that the house I’m protecting is this kingdom. And the lives at risk are everyone’s. Including yours.?

  He looks at me and takes a step closer.

  I continue.

  ?My enemy can only be defeated by Elena. I’ve been holding the line for centuries without her. And I can’t fight forever either. Do you understand??

  He nods, shrinking further into himself.

  ?And I can’t run away or refuse to protect my home. Because it’s the only one I have. I understand what you feel. But I need you to be brave. Like you were today, when you trusted us.?

  Sander takes a shaky breath.

  He closes his eyes. The dome dims. Then vanishes.

  ?I… I’m sorry.?

  I extend my hand.

  ?Next time you’re afraid, stay close to Gaia. All right? We won’t leave you alone. You have my word.?

  His small, soft hand rests in mine. I haven’t touched him until now.

  I rise and head toward the fire. Gaia, Serena, and Elio follow.

  Maybe it’s not the right moment. But I have to ask.

  ?What did Elena tell you before she left??

  The boy doesn’t look at me. He tightens his grip on my hand.

  ?She only said Anxietas wanted her to return to him. He… he spoke to her every night. And then…?

  Sander sniffs.

  ?Then she said goodbye. And… and told me not to look for her.?

  I squeeze his hand and take a deep breath. He rubs his eyes and steadies himself.

  I lift my gaze to the sky.

  You spoke to him. Not to me. I stayed by your side for more than ten thousand years. You told this child you were leaving forever. You told him not to search for you. You left him alone in the middle of a war. Without warning anyone.

  When I find you, I don’t know if it will be to save you—or to make you answer for this.

  ?Are… are you angry??

  I soften my grip and look at him, unsure how to respond.

  ?The truth is… I don’t understand why she would create me, and then treat me as if…?

  As if I were nothing.

  I shake my head.

  ?Forget it. It’s not your fault.?

  Gaia steps closer.

  ?Mina, Elena had a connection with all her creations.?

  I give a small smile and tap my chest.

  ?Yes. But she can sever it whenever she wants.?

  Gaia inhales slowly.

  ?Did you ever notice how she behaved with Anxietas??

  I stop.

  That isn’t an innocent question.

  Anxietas has never left since the rift opened. Elena only spoke to him in dreams. Without telling me.

  My throat dries.

  Does she know I was created in the Dark Realm? Or something else?

  What do I say?

  ?Gaia, how would she know?? Serena raises an eyebrow. ?She was created with us. And Elena didn’t even tell her she was speaking to him!?

  Gaia smiles, arms crossed.

  ?I know. I was just asking. Maybe she remembered something. After all, she lived for quite a few years.?

  I don’t know what to think anymore.

  She asked what I saw. Not what I was told.

  Maybe it’s better to pretend nothing is strange. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t tell her anything.

  I can’t afford to lose their support right now.

  ?If it helps… Elena once told me she felt very subdued by Anxietas in the past. So it’s possible her escape has the Dark King’s hand behind it. Maybe she felt compelled to… to do what she did. Even if I struggle to understand it.?

  Gaia nods silently.

  My temples throb. I quicken my pace.

  The fire is in sight.

  Was Sander justified in accusing her?

  Do you think Mina handled him the right way?