EMBER’S POV

“Eat something first—”

“I will. After.” I won’t, and she knows I won’t, and she lets me go anyway.

I find the medical wing by following the smell of antiseptic, and I get there just in time to catch the worst possible thing, which is them rolling her in.

Rayana.

On a gurney, wheeled fast and careful by two people in scrubs, an IV pole rattling beside her, a tangle of tubing, a monitor already ticking out the small green proof that she’s still here.

Her platinum hair is spread against the pillow and her face is slack in a way I have never once seen it, all...