Chapter 2 The Plague burns down my throat. This is what pure power must taste like. The Healers' protests grow muffled in my ears, mingling with the shouts of every encircling Scholar. I watch as a wave of disbelief crashes over their blurry faces. I ordered that they bring me this perfected dose. Now it is they who must keep me alive. Foolish, reckless, mad-I don't care. I have great plans for Ilya. I only need to evade Death.