This ride through the flames feels off, different, the heat burning me, dragging me down with need and hunger as powerful as that of the sorcery that held Piers. I realize my mistake almost too late. I've absorbed some of Liander's magic, taken into me that which I've come to despise and it is fighting me for control.

Is this how it feels to be one of them? How can they live with themselves? I battle the urge to devour everything, to emerge from the fire and feed and feed ...