Marcus watched Emma anxiously. "Does your arm hurt?" Has she lost it completely? How could she hit me like that? He could take a blow, for sure. But what terrified him was her getting hurt. "It doesn't," Emma said, shaking her head. Then she swung a hand again and smacked him hard. Still no pain. Back in the palace, she hadn't noticed it at first, but when she'd twisted Marcus' ear, her own hadn't even twinged. Emma's eyes widened in shock. "Marcus, your ability doesn't work on me anymore." Marcus froze. Then, quick as a spark, he said, "Ms. Tibarn, use your ability on me. Now." Emma nodded. A thread of blue lightning gathered at her fingertips and leapt to his forearm. A searing welt rose on Marcus's skin instantly, glowing red.He caught her wrist, inspecting her arm. It was smooth, unmarked. Not a trace of injury. "What the hell?" Emma muttered, frowning at her own arm. "Did your ability just dissolve?" But that couldn't be. Earlier that morning, when he'd struck that Thunder Lizard, his ability had worked fine. "Let's go find Lucien and the others," she said. She gripped his hand and dragged him out of the vault. Marcus followed, a mess of confusion swirling inside him. Why has my ability suddenly failed? And only on her? But beneath that confusion, a strange relief bubbled up. If this were true, does it mean she could hit me as much as she wanted and never get hurt again? Emma had no clue what was running through his head. She just kept tugging him along until they reached Lucien's palace. Inside, Silas, Edric, and Corvin were still there.Lucien had clearly been talking to them. Silas looked calm, but Corvin and Edric had that blank, defeated stare of men who'd lost all will to live. When Corvin saw Emma, his whole face lit up. He started forward, but one sharp look from Lucien sent him scuttling back to stand beside Edric, spine straight, not daring to breathe. Lucien strode toward Emma, his tone light. "Emma, you're back already?" He glanced past her to Marcus and smiled. "So, all sorted?" No idea how Emma had handled him, but Marcus doesn't look any different. Emma dropped Marcus's hand. "Lucien," she said evenly, "use your ability. Hit him." Lucien blinked. "You want me to hit Marcus?" He glanced from Emma to Marcus, who looked as calm as ever, and lowered his voice. "Emma, I know hiding a secret stash was wrong, but isn't this a bit harsh?" He wasn't afraid of Marcus's ability. He could take a hit and not die. But this? What did Marcus do to earn that kind of punishment?Edric and Corvin both gawked. Even Silas looked taken aback. They were dying to know what Marcus had done. If this were just about hidden money, Emma would never have told Lucien to attack him. She didn't care about that kind of thing. The times she'd teased them about "settling accounts" were half jokes anyway. Emma sighed, realizing Lucien had misunderstood. "You've got it wrong. I'm not angry. I just found out his ability doesn't affect me anymore. We're not sure if it's just me, or if it's dissolving altogether. That's why I asked you to test it." Marcus nodded. "Ms. Tibarn's right." Lucien's expression sobered. "Understood. But if I hit him, we'll both take heavy damage. Better let Edric or Corvin try first." He deliberately didn't mention Silas. Remy was still perched on his head. If Marcus' ability still worked, and Silas attacked, the backlash might hit Remy threefold. Lucien wasn't about to risk that. Emma turned to Corvin and Edric. Both of them didn't say a word.They met her gaze, both looking pitiful. Edric shot Corvin a look and stepped forward. "Emma, I'll go first." He kept his tone cool, reasoning it out. "If I take a backlash, it means his ability's still active. If not, then there's no need for Corvin to test it." Corvin's eyes went wide. He hadn't expected Edric to step up like that and take the hit for him. His throat tightened, vision blurring. No way! I am Corvin Draemont, a proud and mighty beast. I am not going to hide behind someone else and let my buddy take the hit for me! He shoved Edric behind him, squared his shoulders, and puffed out his chest. "Emma, let me do it first!" He pounded his chest a few times, each thud echoing like a drumbeat of defiance.