I sat in the cushioned chair, my legs trembling and my brain trying to process the words banshee and curse that the healer had spoken.

Instinctively, I brought my hands to my neck; I could still feel the commander’s grip around it and remembered his pale, distant, crazed eyes.

My heart raced, and tears streamed down my face once again. I furiously wiped them away and forced myself to stand, then I faced Mr. Carter.

“Please tell me everything.”

He nodded, walked ...