Reza entered his and Sabine's room, having finally escaped the servants who had forced him to try on various outfits before choosing the appropriate one for Hallows’ Eve. He knew he had to be in the Forum at the onset of complete darkness to witness the ritual’s commencement, and he could not be late, or his sisters would murder him. Although he had some time, Elana hadn’t appeared on her own yet, and Reza would have to rush, as he was determined not to let his sisters down.

  Sabine sat up in bed, still looking haggard and exhausted. Two healers had come to check on her and continued her healing from her injuries. However, there was little that could be done for her. All Sabine needed now was rest for a few days to fully recover, both mentally and physically, from the strain her recovery had placed on her body. While they could heal the body, the mind had to catch up to such magic.

  “How are you feeling?” Reza asked, sitting next to her and wrapping his arm around her.

  “I’m still tired and already tired of our bed,” Sabine replied with a brief smile.

  “How’s your leg? The arm looks like nothing happened,” Reza asked, regretting the question almost immediately. She didn’t need to dwell on the injuries—stupid idiot.

  Sabine pulled her leg up and bent her knee. “It’s sore, but I could probably walk on it if the healers allowed me to.”

  “Better to listen to the healers right now,” he said guiltily. He had ignored the healers and gone his merry way into a fight only days later. So, he wasn’t the best voice of reason in this regard when it came to healers’ orders.

  She eyed him with such a look that he felt the heat of her annoyance. “The fancy-dressed man standing there about to leave says, I guess I must. Of course, the healers told me it was out of the question to go tonight, and Father has already made it clear to everyone that fact. I feel like a prisoner in my own home.”

  She sounded beyond annoyed, but Reza kept his silence. While he agreed with the healers and Lord Rewan, he knew better than to rile her up further.

  “I wouldn’t go without you, Sabine, but I promised Cassia and Tavia that I would bring them to the Towers to see all the wraiths,” Reza said sadly, knowing this was where he truly wanted to be.

  Sabine’s annoyance vanished quickly from her face, and she placed her head on his shoulder. “I’m not blaming you, Marius. You should go; you’ve never experienced this before, and your sisters deserve it too. I love to see Darrak during Hallows Eve; he has an energy about him that he never shows otherwise.”

  Like everyone’s, her Wraith would appear, joining the rest of the wraiths in the city for the night. One question popped into his mind: was it an exciting prospect for all Wraiths? To be compelled into the world to spend a single night without the need of their pact holder? Joyous or horrifying? Did they want to be forced from their existence away from our world? Or did they enjoy the freedom tonight? He had little idea. What was their circumstance beyond their times out with us? These were questions he knew many academics debated and considered.

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  And yet, it would be a sight to see. Reza had enjoyed the smaller Hollows’ Eve in their home and at the legion's fortress, where he celebrated in a much smaller crowd. But, to see it in the city with tens or hundreds of thousands of wraiths would outshine any other, he suspected. The only worry Reza had tonight beyond Sabine was that he would look too much like an outsider.

  “I’m sure he will visit before he goes; Elana always comes to visit me before running off,” Reza said.

  “Of course, I’m certain he will. Before you leave, I wanted to know how your research is progressing. Did you discover anything new about Tannic?” Sabine inquired. Reza was taken aback by how effortlessly she could ask a question about the man.

  She had almost been killed by Tannic only days ago, yet she could casually mention his name as if it were nothing. How strong of a will did she possess? He hoped she wasn’t trying to maintain a composed demeanor around him.

  He dismissed those thoughts, though he would keep an eye on her. Reza had been doing that throughout the day, checking in with her between every meeting and strategy session. He had gathered every scrap of information he could find about Salwin’s defenders and the rumored powers within the militia from Rewan’s spies. Marius, Lucius, and Lord Rewan had analyzed every piece of Tannic’s power they had observed. Little more could be gleaned from his observations than was already known.

  “Nothing beyond what your duel revealed,” Reza replied. “We all know his control over sand is unparalleled. Therefore, I need to either breach the barrier, which for me isn’t difficult or determine how much space I have to work within.”

  “During the fight, I couldn’t gauge the distance of my shots. I can only say that they weren’t far enough. There was too much going on for me to notice anything besides breaking through it. It’s undoubtedly a formidable defense, as Tannic had complete control over it.”

  Reza nodded in agreement. “That’s right. I may have ample room in a pocket or none at all. Then comes the sandballs; I must dodge them with him, considering how my power functions. Elana and I will have to be flawless. The only thing that comes to mind is that I hope it rains, as it would hinder his ability to manipulate the sand.”

  Sabine raised her head with eyes wide, a thought on her lips. “Why not bring the water to the duel? You can request anything, right? Why not ask for water?”

  It was a thought, but what would its impact be? And how could he make such a request?

  “The idea has some merit. It’s a start to a plan to counter Tannic’s advantage, at the very least. I’ll discuss it with the others.” Reza said, gazing out the window. The sky darkened rapidly, with the sun low in the sky. All Hallow’s Eve would commence within a short time, he suspected. He must hurry to reach his sisters and the Sulli’s in time.

  He leaned over and kissed her briefly. “I must go. I won’t be away for long.”

  Sabine became serious as he stood. “Ensure you actually keep your guards close this time; you have only two days before the final. And Marius.”

  He turned to her, questioning. “Yes?”

  “Don’t do anything foolish.”

  He chuckled but quickly stopped when he saw her concern. “I won’t; I promise—a few hours out with the Sullis and my sisters. You won’t even notice I’m gone. Cassia likely won’t want to stay out in the cold for too long,” he said, smiling.

  Sabine nodded and pulled a book over to her, opening it. “Go on now; I’ll still be here when you return.”

  Reza hesitated.

  Sabine looked up. “Begone, you concerned fool.”

  He left, closing the door behind him.