Sander screams and runs into the darkness. Elio gets to his feet, looks at Elio, then at me. I motion for him to follow, and his footsteps fade as the barrier vanishes completely.

  ?There could be more of them!? Gaia shouts. ?I can’t leave them alone.?

  She’s right.

  I tighten my grip on the hilt and raise it.

  ?Make sure they’re safe. Then come back.?

  Another set of footsteps rushes away.

  The Torment thrusts a hand out from beneath the black cloak. I slash at it. He pulls it back—and the other hand clamps around my weapon arm.

  Shit.

  I block with my left, try to twist free, but the seized arm begins to throb. My legs shake. The air weighs like stone on my chest. I shove the fist away and throw a left hook. My head spins. The blow misses.

  What’s happening to me?

  I collapse.

  An arrow whistles past me and sinks into his shoulder. He lets out a rasping breath and releases me. I drop to my knees.

  The grass sways before my eyes.

  Did he… drain my strength?

  How am I supposed to fight a Torment like this?

  I plant my foot. An orange flash slams into me. I’m thrown through the air and crash a few inches from the still-burning fire. My heart is in my throat. My body trembles as I struggle to stay conscious.

  He absorbed Sander’s magic too.

  If I let him roam free, he could destroy the kingdom from the inside. But how can I defeat him if I can’t even stand?

  ?Mina!?

  I roll onto my side and look up at Serena.

  ?Are you okay??

  Serena fires her last arrow and reaches for me. I grab her hand and stagger up.

  ?He absorbs other people’s magic. We have to kill him. No matter what.?

  I’m already breathless. My legs are still stiff.

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  The shield lowers. The Torment advances toward us.

  I raise my blade with effort and strike twice in wide arcs. A black fist snaps into view. I jump back. My legs give out. I fall.

  I can’t do this. I’m too weak.

  The Torment extends a hand toward me. I brace for impact.

  An orange flash engulfs me. Every muscle burns. I feel nothing—only the echo of my heartbeat.

  I’ll never make it.

  I see Serena’s boots. Her voice is muffled. I can’t let her fight alone.

  Move. Move. You can’t give up now.

  The hiss of her arrows continues. Serena is still fighting. The orange glow of the barrier stains the grass. I drive one trembling knee into the ground. My heart slows in my ears.

  The orange light fades.

  He dropped the shield. He’s going to attack.

  ?Mina!? Serena grabs my shoulders and pulls me back.

  I stagger and fall again. The world sways. Serena steps in front of me, loops the bow across her chest, and draws her dagger—ready to charge.

  No. Not her.

  I plant my foot and drag myself upright. I clutch my spinning head. Darkness closes in, then recedes.

  A metallic clink reaches my ears.

  I open my eyes.

  Serena’s dagger skids across the grass. The Torment has drawn a blade of his own.

  So that’s where my strength went.

  The Torment winds up a right hook. I lunge and grab Serena’s cloak, yanking her back. The punch misses her by inches.

  I breathe. My head steadies. I tighten my grip on the hilt and strike.

  The barrier flashes into existence and repels the blow. A chill twists my stomach as I step back. The barrier is more transparent now—and it didn’t strike me this time.

  Warm hands seize my shoulders and pull me back.

  ?Careful! He shattered my dagger.?

  My chest expands. My breathing deepens. The world sways less.

  ?That’s because he stole my strength too. That’s why I feel so weak.?

  ?If only I could hit him with one of my special arrows.?

  Yes. One of those could weaken him.

  Why didn’t I think of that before?

  But can I hold him in this state?

  I have no choice.

  I have to.

  ?I’ll distract him,? I pant. ?You prepare it.?

  The barrier lowers. ?He can’t use stolen magic forever.?

  My legs feel steadier. I point the sword at him.

  Serena reaches into her pouch and pulls out a vial.

  ?Are you sure??

  The Torment advances. I step forward. Every muscle screams. He throws a punch. I strike back. My blade is repelled, and I barely hold onto it.

  An unseen force slams into me. I crash onto the grass, my legs shuddering.

  What was that?

  A remnant of the shield?

  An arrow pierces his shoulder. The wound glows white. He turns toward me and takes a step.

  I tremble. I drive my elbows into the ground and crawl.

  Get up.

  Instead, I lift my eyes.

  Serena slips the bow behind her shoulders and stretches her hands toward him.

  What is she doing?!

  Her hands glow. A faint light flickers from the Torment’s chest.

  ?No! Serena!?

  If that thing absorbs Serena’s magic—

  The Torment freezes. The wound widens.

  Of course.

  I’m an idiot.

  They’re beings formed by Anxietas himself, feeding on the fears of the infected.

  Serenity is poison to them.

  The ground trembles as his knees hit the earth. I plant my hands, grab my sword from the grass. My muscles scream as I force myself upright.

  Now.

  Serena grips his arms. I take two steps, raise the blade, and drive it into his neck.

  The head snaps free and rolls across the ground, dripping black.

  Silence fills my ears.

  Serena lets go. As she turns toward me, the world begins to spin. The sword slips from my fingers.

  A muffled voice calls my name.

  I feel light as a feather.

  And I close my eyes.