“Are you ready?”

Liz grinned in the darkness. “I’ve been ready since you met me.”

Uunz snorted. “You know that isn’t true.”

Though it was too dark to see him, Liz flicked his ear. He yelped, and she laughed. “I’ve waited a long time for this, darling.” A twisted smirk crept up her face at the red she knew was filling his cheeks.

They walked in silence for a moment, not even their footsteps betraying their presence. Young assassins learned quickly how to move quietly. Sloppiness meant death, or worse: failure. Then Uunz’s hand was on her arm, and Liz stopped.

“Liz,” he said seriously. “I know you say you’re sure, but…are you?”

She suppressed a laugh. He really was wrapped around her pinky finger… “I’m sure, Uunz. I’ve worked for this.”

“I know.” He chuckled wryly. “Trust me, I know. But Liz, magic comes with a price. Are you willing to pay?”

“I have nothing to lose,” Liz said coolly. In that moment, it felt true. Ien was lost to her, as was the Academy. She could never go home, not knowing all that she now knew. And if she wanted to move forward, to finally win instead of maintain a stalemate…this was the way. Still, she hesitated. “What exactly do you mean by pay?”

“I’m not…I’m not supposed to talk about it,” Uunz said slowly. “But…loyalty isn’t easy. Magic comes from the gods, and we serve Death. You know all that already. But Death…He isn’t a kind Master, Liz. He’s hungry, and He’s impatient, and we…well, we’re Death’s Acolytes. His will is our command. You need to be ready to obey orders that make you want to gouge out your own eyes. He’ll remake you.”

“Do you think me too weak to serve your god?” Liz’s voice was ice.

“Of course not,” Uunz said. “But you still…you have so much light in your eyes. You’re a dreamer in a world that crushes dreams for sport. Do you really want to lose that?”

Liz pretended to consider for a moment. She’d lose her influence on the man if she ignored him…finally she sighed. “Uunz, I need this. I have no other options.”

He was quiet for a long time. Then he kept walking, and so Liz followed. They came to a set of stairs, and followed them down, down, down…into a tiny room with a tinier light. Several figures stood inside, hoods pulled up. One of them gestured for Liz to sit, so she did. Another took her hand and raised a knife. Liz didn’t flinch. She became aware that they were chanting something in a language she did not understand. Then the dagger was sliding up her arm, slowly, slowly…curving…

Then the world went dark. She heard laughter, but she couldn’t feel her own body. She couldn’t-she couldn’t-

The laughter faded.

And when Liz could see again, there was something new inside her, something she’d never felt before.

Magic.