Daria’s POV

My sore side was not as troublesome to me as was the silence that succeeded the battle. The witches were clearing the border, chanting incantations and examining the border to see whether there were any dark magic remnants, and warriors were hauling away the corpses of the rogues whom we were triumphing over. The woods resumed their fitful tranquillity, yet there was something heavy still to press upon my breast. I had known before I heard his feet that Lucius was behind me, because even the air seemed to be tighter whenever he approached.

You are bleeding, he thought to himself.

I did not turn around. I concentrated...