Charlie took a hasty breath, then crossed his arms. Oberi bobbed her head in front of me and stomped a hoof.
“What did she say?” I asked.
Charlie let out a huff. “She told me to put my big boy panties on and stop whining. The little shit. I don’t know why she’s takingyourside. Your bullheadedness is gonna kill us all.”
What Oberi had said was funny, but I couldn’t crack a smile. I stroked her neck. “Why can’t you talk to me, girl?”
Oberi nickered, like she wanted to— but was saying I wasn’t ready yet.
Oh, butCharliewas ready. That was nice. I felt offended— as if Oberi had chosen Charlie over me.
I pushed the resentment down. We shared Oberi. I shouldn’t be feeling this way. I should be happy for Charlie, that he and Oberi had such a big moment.
I didn’t. I just felt jealous, because now I didn’t feel good enough.
We continued down the tunnel, and the Elven runes on the walls increased in number, until they were scrawled to the ground and over the ceiling. This was getting eerie.
Marcus shivered. “Don’t you think we should’ve come across another trap by now—?”
He stopped so abruptly that Kallie almost ran into him. She went to bite an insult, but her words fell flat as she realized there was someone standing in the tunnel ahead of us.
“There’s someone else down here,” Kallie said curiously. “Hello! Do you need help?”
The figure stepped into the light, and Marcus went completely pale. It was a girl, a couple of years younger than us. She had thick brown hair, and a petite frame. She quirked a smile and said, “Hey, Marcus. It’s been a while.”
Marcus made a few choking sounds before he blurted out, “Erica?”
I realized the girl looked so similar to Marcus. This had to be his younger sister. But what was she doing down here?
She couldn’t be here. There was just no way. She wasn’t real. She was an illusion.
“This is another trap,” I said. “Thetemptation by illusion. The spell must work so that you’re tempted to take whatever it is you want most.”
“She looks so real.” Marcus reached out to touch her, but Kallie grabbed his hand.
“Don’t,” Kallie said. “I’ve seen magic like this before. You touch the illusion, it means you’re accepting it as your own. Then we’re all dead.”
Marcus blinked. He went to go around the illusion, but she blocked his path.
“Erica, I know it’s not really you. Just get out of the way,” Marcus said. His shoulders slumped.
“I just came to tell you that everyone wants you back,” Erica insisted. “You should return to Octavia Falls.”
“I can’t go back. I’m a convicted mass-murderer,” Marcus said tightly.
Ancestors, that was a harsh thing to say out loud. I always forgot that even though Marcus was the meekest among us, he’d committed the worst crime.
“Mom got your sentence erased. You’re free to go,” Erica said. “Don’t youmissall of us? All your friends are waiting for you. We’ve been so sad ever since you went away.”
“You’re lying. People have forgotten all about me,” Marcus said, though his voice was strained. He was starting to crack. Rishi stood beside him and yanked at his pant leg with his teeth, but Marcus didn’t even notice.
“Of course they haven’t,” Erica said, and she took a step closer. “You have the power of all five Casts. People think you’re a hero. They won’t even notice me anymore, once you come back.”
Marcus gave a harsh laugh. “Yeah, okay. You’re perfect. I looked like such a fuck-up, standing next to you.”
“Of course you didn’t,” Erica soothed. “The townspeople want to accept you, I promise. Don’t you want to make things right with Anya’s family? Her brotherneedsyou. Kellen won’t survive if you aren’t there to help him.”
At the mention of his mentee, Marcus began to shake. Kallie put a hand on his arm.
