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gone, surely the people of Nelebek would have a chance at a better life—one without poverty and fear.
    Morlet was so desperate to capture the twelve Krigers that he cast a spell on the borders of the kingdom, one that prohibited anyone from entering or leaving Nelebek. Landlocked and with trade to the other eleven kingdoms cut off, the people of Nelebek sank deeper and deeper into poverty. Of course, we were also the only kingdom ruled by someone consumed with dark magic. The king was human—not a Heks —but he didn’t age like humans. Some said he’d been ruling Nelebek for over a century. And since he used dark magic, no one could harm him. Except for the Krigers.
    A man dressed as a scribe stepped to the edge of the platform, holding a scroll. “Anyone aiding or abetting enemies of His Royal Highness will be prosecuted under the full extent of the law. The charges are as follows: Finn Flanning knowingly housed Kriger Henrik and didn’t report it to the authorities. He is hereby found guilty and sentenced to death.” The scribe stood tall and stiff.
    The king sauntered to the middle of the platform. What was he doing here today? He wouldn’t attend simply for a scheduled execution. There had to be something else going on.
    The scribe cleared his throat and continued. “If anyone has information regarding the twelfth and final Kriger, you are hereby ordered to report your information immediately. Otherwise, you will be subject to execution.” His hands shook, and his voice became high-pitched as he spoke. “We have reason to believe the twelfth Kriger is in the capital.”
    People around me gasped in astonishment, looking at one another. There was no way to know if someone was a Kriger until he turned eighteen and his latent powers revealed themselves. Could the Kriger be here among us at this very moment?
    The king glided forward and clapped his hands together, sending a boom throughout the Town Square. Cool air brushed against my skin, blowing my scarf into the air. My hair tumbled down my back. The need to get out of there became intense. Inching my way to the side, I slowly moved toward the exit, still looking for a man dressed in a fur-trimmed jacket.
    “Does anyone have information on the last Kriger?” the scribe asked before rolling up his scroll.
    No one spoke.
    “I will find the last filthy Kriger,” the king bellowed, his voice harsh and cold. “Even if it means I have to torture every single one of you to do it.”
    More soldats entered the courtyard, surrounding the crowd. They held their swords before them, ready to fight. Was the king intending to kill all of us right now? The exit was still too far away for me to make a run for it. Sweat coated my forehead, and my heart beat frantically.
    The king pointed a black-gloved finger toward the crowd. A woman screamed as an invisible force ripped her toddler from her arms. The king pointed to his own feet, and the child moved through the air, landing on the ground in front of him. The toddler sat on the platform, crying for her mother. I watched, horrified at the prospect of what the king would do to the child. Morlet clapped his hands, and thunder rumbled. He rubbed his hands together and then pulled them six inches apart. A single blue flame appeared.
    I wanted to rescue the child. However, I was no match for Morlet and his evil magic. All that would result would be my own death, and then who would save my father? I bit my lip, trying to keep my anger and fear hidden, instead of doing something I’d regret.
    As Morlet spread his arms wider, the flame grew. His hands extended toward the toddler. “Does anyone have information regarding the twelfth Kriger?” Morlet asked, his voice dark and menacing.
    The child’s mother ran to the platform. A soldat standing on top of a nearby building released an arrow, hitting her thigh. She screamed and fell to the ground, clutching her leg. Everyone stood frozen, afraid to move and be shot.
    “Anyone?”