“So it all comes down to this,” Johan said. “Your crystal wand won’t work on me. You’ve lost and-”

But Johan never was able to finish his sentence. While they had circled, Miri had carefully lined him up so that his back was to a weapon she could use. And while Johan had rambled on, a silent spell and an unnoticed flick of Miri’s hand had summoned some knives that had been discarded earlier in the battle. Johan, the hero who was supposed to be her end, died when Miri’s knives slammed into his back.