Page 84 of Forged in Fire
“In the Sleeping King’s chambers,” she says. “Just like when you saw your brother in the video, remember?”
I nod, recalling the moment at Ember’s party when I got the video. “So, back in Romania.”
“Yes. The same compound where you found Kieran before, but deeper underground. There are natural cave systems beneath the facility that have been expanded over centuries.” Ember’s voice drops low. “I’ve seen the ritual from beginning to end. I know how the incantations work, what they plan to do once the king awakens.”
She pauses, and something raw flickers across her features. “I’ve seen what happens to Kieran if they succeed.”
“And?”
“The ritual doesn’t just resurrect this ancient king. It requires a life to give a life. Kieran dies so he can live again.”
I suck in a breath. Not a ransom situation. Not a prisoner exchange. A death sentence with mystical trappings.
“But that’s not the worst part,” Ember continues. “In my dreams, I see Kieran fighting it. Even with everything they’ve done to him—whatever conditioning they’ve used—part of him is still fighting. He doesn’t want to go through with it, Iris. You have to believe that.”
Something clenches in my chest. Relief that my brother might still be salvageable, mixed with fury at what they’ve put him through. All this time, I’ve been holding onto hope that he could be saved, that somewhere inside him, my real brother still exists.
I’ve been right.
“You’re certain about this?” I ask.
“I see it every night. The same sequence of events, the same people, the same places.” Ember moves closer, urgency radiating from her. “But there’s something else. The visions aren’t just showing me what’s going to happen. They’re showing me what could happen. Different possibilities, different choices.”
“What do you mean?”
“In some versions, we arrive too late and the ritual succeeds. In others, we save Kieran, but the cost is too high—other people die, or we trigger something worse.” Her expression grows intent. “But there’s one version where everyone makes it out alive. Where we stop the ritual and save both Kieran and prevent the Syndicate from waking the king.”
“What’s different about that version?”
Ember’s smile is sad and knowing. “The approach changes. Instead of a rescue mission, it becomes something else entirely. But I can’t see all the details clearly—too many variables, too many moving pieces.”
I study her face, looking for signs of doubt or fear. Instead, I find determination that reminds me unsettlingly of myself at her age.
“There’s something else,” she says, her voice urgent. “In every vision, I see the same moment right before the ritual begins. Kieran looks up toward where they’re keeping observers, and for just a few seconds, his eyes clear completely. He mouths something, but I can never quite make out what it is.”
“What do you think he’s trying to say?”
“I’m sorry.” Her words are soft but certain. “I think he’s trying to tell you he’s sorry.”
The emotional sucker punch nearly knocks the breath out of me. The possibility that some part of him is still fighting, still aware enough to feel guilt about whatever he’s been forced to do…
I force the feeling down, tuck it away like I’ve learned to do with anything that threatens my focus. There’ll be time for emotions after we get him out.
“This changes everything,” I say, standing up. “We need to tell the others immediately.”
“Iris.” Ember catches my arm as I turn toward the building. “Are you going to be able to work with them? After yesterday? I heard what happened.”
“I don’t have a choice,” I say. “If you’re right about the timeline, we need to take this seriously. That means swallowing my pride and accepting their help.”
“And…” She pauses, gnawing on her lip again. “Do you think they’ll take me seriously? About my dreams, I mean.”
“Why wouldn’t they?” I frown.
“Because they hardly know me, really.” She shrugs, but there’s nothing nonchalant about it. “It didn’t go well last time. And they probably think I’m just a kid with a wild imagination.”
“Oh, honey,” I say, “you’re so much more than a kid.” I reach out and squeeze her shoulder. “And trust me, this is a place that takes powers like yours seriously. If you’ve been having dreams, they’ll want to know all about them.”
She gives a tight smile and straightens her shoulders. “Then let’s go tell them.”
