There is no part of me that trusts her.
But I know that if we’re going to stop Aemon, I’m going to need all the help I can get. Last time, I tried stopping him alone.
This time, I’m going to be surrounded by others.
Chapter Thirty-One
Riley
With Selena gone, her defensive wall crumbles down, burying Onyx’s body and giving Sigma a path to bring me across to the others.
They’re facing Famine, who is simply standing beside her horse. She’s clearly quite injured, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to slow her down if she chooses to attack.
I ride Sigma past the others while Torin looks at me then gives me a nod, telling me he trusts me.
“You will help us stop Aemon,” I say to Famine as I hold the soul tightly in my hand. Her eyes are fixed on it.
“I will if you promise me that if I can turn this soul white again, you will help me bring Selena back,” Famine replies.
I watch the black wisps curl around the soul and wonder how she’d ever figure that out. I don’t even see a hint of white left on it. But if it forces her to take my side, then it’s a risk I’m willing to take.
Slowly, I hold the soul out and she tentatively reaches for it.
“If you ever try to hurt my people again, I will destroy her soul with just a thought,” I say quietly. I’m honestly not evensure if I can, but I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to force her to feel like she has no option but to help us if the need arises.
Famine wraps the soul up, protectively holding it against her chest before she swings onto her horse’s back and flees through the Door. Torin destroys it the instant she’s through.
“Do you think it’s a good idea to let her go? She was hurt; we had an advantage,” Vero says.
“I don’t know,” I admit. “But if she was prepared to destroy a world and even herself for that goddess then maybe she’ll help kill a god. I guess only time will tell.”
“We need to get stronger,” Vero growls.
I glance over at him, but he refuses to look at me for some reason.
“What’s blocking your power, Vero?” Torin asks.
“I don’t know,” he says. “But I’m still strong enough to stop them.”
I look at him thoughtfully. If we could figure it out, he’d be even stronger.
Torin pulls me down from Sigma’s back. “I think you made the right decision.”
“Did I? Because I feel quite unsure.”
“I trust you,” he says.
“Are we group hugging to celebrate that we’re all still alive?” Mickey asks as he hurries over, dragging Vero in for a hug.
Vero turns into a statue, not wanting any part of this, while Torin is disgusted by Toast, who is back to being a tiny bat on Mickey’s shirt.
“You didn’t tell me that thing gets bigger,” Torin complains. “That size is creepy enough. I nearly plunged to my death to get away from it.”
“He’s so cute and magical. Aren’t you, Toast? What a good boy, saving Torin. Give him a kiss,” he coos as he holds the teenybat up to Torin. The bat licks the side of Torin’s face, and I think Torin nearly dies right there.
Vero scowls. “This is irritating and disgusting. I’m going home.”
“I’ll go with you. We can go tell the people that the two of us saved the world,” Mickey teases while he chases after Vero.
