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“I know,” Kelia said, her face taut in pain as she yelled and pulsed more power.

With one arm around Mab, I ran through the portal and immediately handed off Mab to Alisha.

“I have to go back,” I said and went to turn.

The darkthing broke out of Kelia’s hold and zoomed toward the portal. Kelia screamed and shot her power directly at the hive.

“No!” I yelled, knowing the moment she did that the entire ceiling would crumble on top of her.

Someone grabbed my arm and threw me away from the portal. I slammed into the ground.

“Close it!” the queen ordered, standing between the portal and me.

“Don’t!” I shouted, scrambling to my feet. “She’ll die!”

The portal winked out, my heart going with it.

Queen Merelda took Mab from Alisha. “We are at war, Callum. Not everyone survives.”