Ruby's POV

That night, I was awakened by Sally's screams sharp and desperate, cutting through the quiet.

“Ruby! Help me! It burns, please, it burns!”

I sat up instantly, heart pounding. The room felt heavy, the air thick with the metallic tang of magic. I could feel her presence faint, like she was being torn apart.

Without thinking, I threw on my coat and ran. Her cries pulled me through the dark streets, straight toward the old district where her fiancé lived. The closer I got, the ...