Griffin’s body convulses, and my fear reaches afever pitch, because next to him is Twig. Naomi sees it, too. She flails and kicks. Twig struggles in vain while Jude’s form flickers in and out of focus.
The dots on Griffin’s wrist erupt.
The vines lash.
They rip the soul from his chest.
I feel another tug as Gemini catapults into the sky and Griffin falls.
I scream and fight, trying to break free, trying to stop what is happening before Twig is taken next and I lose my best friend.
The rowboat passes before me.
The ruby is ablaze.
My mother stirs.
She opens her eyes and sees me above her. She sets her hand over the amulet as Twig’s body gives a jerk.
I scream a scream that excoriates my throat—a ragged, wild cry for help. I don’t care about the pain in my chest. I don’t care if the veil root tears me in two.
“Twig!” I shout.
His eyes meet mine as the smudge of stars on his wrist flares.
His head snaps back.
“No.” The word trembles deep in my soul.
An objection born from love and friendship.
Vorat will not have him.
He cannot take him.
I won’t let it happen.
I seize the vines ensnaring me and pull back with everything I have.
The vine wrapped around Twig’s soul lashes violently, but I seize the vines ensnaring me and pull back with everything I have. My hands sear with heat. It feels like my skin is melting and I am screaming, but I don’t let go. Neither does Naomi. She screams and pulls. Across from me, Jude is holding on, too.
“Fight it, Twig,” I shout, his body seizing.
Jerking.
Convulsing.
Defying the vines.
Defying the Overlay.
The clock hands spin wildly.
“Stay with us!” I scream. I don’t know what else to say, what else to do but hold on and resist with every last ounce of strength inside me.
Enraged, Simon roars.
The vines pull harder.
