Ember Frost’s POV

That single, baffling sentence threw everyone into silence.

Ellan quickly examined Lilian, and his face darkened. He looked up at us and said in a low voice that Lilian’s vitality was draining fast, far quicker than it should.

Eira didn’t hesitate. She dropped to her knees beside Lilian and began casting one spell after another: restoration, cleansing, anything that might slow the damage. Faint light shone over Lilian’s body, fighting to hold her together.

There ...