When we exit the cave I half expect to find the sorcerer there waiting for us. He is not, but Hetty is. I walk to the mare and wrap an arm around her neck, glad she arrived unscathed. As I rub at her mane, dislodging twigs and leaves, Syndel moves forward, staring into the trees.

“There are more of them now,” she whispers. “Dozens. They're surrounding us.”

My heart races with panic. There's no escape. I glance back at the cave, wondering if we should barricade ourselves inside. That will only prolong the inevitable attack. Perhaps I can lure them away. Even as the thought comes to me, I know it won't work. Syndel's aura is much too enticing. I look at her, knowing this could be my last chance to tell her everything . . .

She suddenly spins around and grabs my arm. “They wish to speak to you.”

“What?” I ask, confused by such a ridiculous idea. Do they wish to state their terms for our assault? I want to laugh, but the seriousness in Syndel's expression stops me. “What choice do we have?”

Moments later, the bushes around us quiver as waves of Soulless invade the small clearing. Their wide, red-rimmed eyes leer at us, their arms jerk with obvious anticipation, yet they remain at the edge away from the glimmer of sunlight. Most are adult males, with a few women. I flinch when I notice three are mere children. It doesn't matter what age they were when their souls were taken. All of them are equally dangerous. I try to put myself between them and Syndel, but there are too many. “What do you want?” I say, my voice firm.

One Soulless, thin and gangly, takes a step forward. “You are the anomaly, the one who takes no souls.”

They are not fooled by the false aura of my pendant. I hold my head high. “I am. Now answer my question. What do you want?”

Many of the Soulless twitch and glance around at the others. The thin one speaks again. “You wish to defeat the Soul Thief. Is this true?”

I have no idea how they got this information. Have they come to stop me? “That is my intention.”

A murmur sweeps around the clearing. My muscles tense, waiting for them to declare their own intentions. They do so in a way I never would have expected. As one, the horde of Soulless drops to their knees. I blink at them, unable to believe what I'm seeing.

“Then what he promised will come to pass,” says the thin Soulless.

“Who promised?” I ask.

“The first of our kind. He came to us in our empty dreams, freeing us from our captivity. He implored us to find the anomaly and do all we can to help him.”

I blink rapidly, realizing some of these Soulless, if not all, were once enslaved by Noble-lords. “You came . . . to help me?”

The thin Soulless, as well as the others around us, nod emphatically.

It's too strange to believe. In fact, I'd be a fool to trust them. Even if Bronek did somehow speak to their dreams, I know as well as anyone that a Soulless does nothing unless he can gain something for himself. “What was the promise Bronek made?”

“You don't know?” The Soulless tilts his head back to look at the blue sky above the clearing. “We shall all be released from our torment.”

A jolt runs through me. Released? This can mean only one thing. We shall die. It was once something I longed for. But now . . . I force myself not to look at Syndel. I can't help but wonder if she's known all along. It must be why she told Bronek he could be with Lenna again.

To protect the world, I will be taken from the person I hold most dear. Perhaps I was never meant to be with her. I think I already knew that. My destiny lies elsewhere. And her task is to make certain I fulfill it. “There isn't much time,” I say, squaring my shoulders. “The Soul Thief is on his way.”

***

The Soulless, totaling thirty-six, divide themselves into groups of four and take positions in the trees surrounding the clearing as daylight fades and the unknown of darkness gathers. At least we have some moonlight above.

Though I feel a sincere earnestness from the Soulless, I know it won't take much to drive them to their innate hunger, especially with Syndel around. She, however, seems unaware of the potential danger. After insisting I take the time to gather my thoughts, she meets with each group to get an idea of strengths and strategies. I sit on the grass at the center as I watch her move around, trying to keep myself from giving in to the fears I feel inside.

On a whim, I reach into my pack and remove the remnants of her braid I kept as a memento. Much of it has become unraveled. Keeping it now would be pointless. Sighing, I dig a small hole in the ground and place the braid within it. After smoothing dirt over the top, I look up, my gaze finding the lone aura in the darkness. I wish I could spend my final moments alone with her. I wish to have one last chance to look into her eyes. I might even gather enough courage to pull her close and kiss her.

“Cress, everyone is ready,” Syndel says, walking to the center.

Inhaling deeply, I reach for her hand and pull her down until she's kneeling on the grass beside me. I choose my words carefully. “I've always known I am different from the others. I made a vow that I would never give in. That resolve was tested when I found you near the forest. Yet you are the reason I am here now.” My throat constricts, but I force myself to continue. “You helped me become the person I was meant to be.” Our eyes meet. She clutches my hand between both of hers.

“There is one more thing for me to do,” she says. “Perhaps you've figured it out and that's why you've pushed me away.” Her gaze drops. “Cress, it's time—”

A great shadow passes overhead and a frigid wind sweeps down through the trees. I leap to my feet, bringing Syndel up with me. The shadow descends like mist, blinding us with its darkness. I cling to Syndel's hand, but something jerks her away. I scream her name as I'm thrown backward, slamming against a tree. The black world spins. I thud to the ground, face up, unable to catch my breath.

The darkness suddenly vanishes, yet the chill lingers. A figure towers over me. I try to sit up, but something I cannot see is holding me down.

“Well, this is not what I expected,” says the figure, his voice cold. “A Soulless in disguise, using the pitiful blood of a worthless prince. What else have you been up to? Are you to blame for stopping the flow of power from Bronek and the souls he steals from the other abominations?”

“Yes,” I say without hesitation. “And I will bring an end to the darkness you hold over this land.”

The sorcerer laughs. “You think you'll survive long enough to try? I applaud your bravery. Or is it foolishness? Either way, I will give you one chance to change your mind and be on your way.” He clasps his thin hands together and circles me like a predator. “You cannot begin to understand. I need the power, I crave it more and more, but I don't need Bronek. It was mere convenience for me to use him. I will take souls with my own hands if I must. It's been a long time since I've had the pleasure, but I'm certain I haven't forgotten how.” His head turns away from me, his attention focusing on something across the clearing. I follow his gaze, my insides freezing.

Syndel.

She stands alone at the trees' edge.

The branches around her shift and Soulless emerge, surrounding her. Their red rimmed eyes glare at the sorcerer. He, however, seems unfazed.

“Are these your defenders?” Mulogo asks. “Is this how you will stop me?”

With a growl, the Soulless charge. More come from the trees, leaving their hiding places, all moving toward the sorcerer. Snorting, Mulogo raises a hand to the sky, gathering a fistful of black mist. He spreads his fingers, sending the mist out in every direction, all toward the Soulless. Some of them stagger to a halt or try to dodge, but the mist finds them. In seconds, every Soulless is lying motionless in the clearing.

Mulogo turns back to me, an amused expression on his creased face. “I hope you have something else in mind. No?” Laughing again, he stalks toward Syndel.

Still unable to move, I shout at her to run, though I know she will not get far. Her eyes find mine before focusing on the approaching sorcerer. She, too, raises a hand and a globe of silvery white light surrounds her fingers. Aiming at Mulogo, she sends the light slamming into his body. He stops, completely frozen in place. Syndel dashes past him and drops to my side.

“We don't have much time,” she says, placing her hands on my chest, freeing me from my unseen prison. “You must do it now.”

I sit up. An urge to grab her and flee through the trees courses through me. “What are you talking about?”

“Your strength alone cannot defeat him. That's why I acquired the magic of the Sikari. You will need it, along with the power you get from me.” Her brows furrow; tears shine in her eyes. “It's the only way.”

I stare at her, comprehension jarring me with the force of a landslide. Her role in this has finally become clear. “You want me to take your soul.”

She nods, tears falling freely now. “A soul given willingly bestows the most power. You must take—”

“No!” I shove her away, clambering to my feet. The thought leaves me ill, and yet, deep within, the monster growls with triumph. “I won't do it. I can't.”

“If you don't, he will.”

I know she's right. There is nothing I can do to stop the sorcerer from taking her soul. With it, he will destroy me and continue to drown the world in darkness. The only chance I have is to do as she says. But how can I? The monster cackles.

“Do it.”

I have a feeling he knew all along it would come to this. But it won't be for him or myself. Surely that will make a difference. “Is there no other way?” I ask, the steadiness of my voice hiding the turmoil I feel.

She shakes her head.

I move to her side, pulling her into my arms. The time has come to do what I wanted from the moment I saw her angelic face. Leaning forward, I press my lips against hers. Her sweetness is more wonderful than I could have imagined. She responds, her arms tightening around me.

The air in the clearing is assaulted by another blast of frigid wind.

We pull apart, eyes wide, both of us knowing Mulogo is fighting to free himself. To my surprise, Syndel smiles.

“Trust me, Cress. This is not the end.”

Perhaps she's right. In death, we might finally get the chance to be together. I trace the edge of her face with my fingers. There are too many things to say, but not enough time to say them. I hope she knows. I hope she can forgive me for what she's about to endure.

I place my hand over her eyes and let the monster loose. It is both terrifying and liberating to finally embrace what I am.