“Do something.”
Masika mulled over his words.
“There’s only one thing I can do.”
And then she pushed herself back onto her feet and called upon her power.
It cascaded out of her in a brilliant halo, rays of golden light that ebbed and flowed around her. Wren had never seen anything more beautiful. Masika’s entire body was alight. Her amber eyes glowing like the heart of the sun.
“I can give her a second chance.” Masika’s voice reverberated, echoing as if she were all around them. “But just one more.”
“Another chance at what?” August asked.
Masika stared down at them. The faintest wisp of a smile curled on her lips.
“Life.”
And then Masika brought her hands together and the magic exploded out of her. Wren shielded her eyes, momentarily blinded by the wave of golden light. When her vision finally cleared, she saw the doorway that had appeared before them. Fashioned fromstone and vines, the door was propped open, a swirling vortex of color looming on the other side.
Life.
Wren’s heart soared as the word echoed in her mind.
“I can live again?” she asked, unable to stifle the hope clinging stubbornly inside her.
“Your soul will be reborn,” Masika explained. “But…there’s a condition. You wouldn’t remember anything. You’d forget all about this…aboutus.”
August didn’t hesitate. He turned to Masika, eyes wide and pleading. “Let me go with her.”
Masika hesitated. “You could go with her…technically speaking. But the same condition would apply to you. Your memories of Blackwood would be gone. Your memories of Wren would be gone.”
“I have to go,” August replied, his face marked with determination. “I have to try.”
But how could she ask that of him? How could she expect him to end his own soul?
“You could stay here, August.” Wren managed a weak, hollow smile. “Help rebuild Blackwood. You could live the eternity you’ve always wanted. Free from your sister. From your duty. You could just…exist.”
“Don’t you get it?” August laughed, but tears welled behind his eyes. “Youaremy eternity, Wren. My soul is yours. In this life and the next.”
Wren found herself laughing too, though her own tears prickled the back of her eyes. She reached her hands out and placed them gently on his cheeks. She traced the angular lines of his cheekbones. His jaw. The scar etched beneath his eye. His thick brows. The gentle curl of his raven-black hair.
She needed to remember him. To etch his face into her memory. To find a way to defy the laws of nature. It didn’t matter what Masika said—she would remember him.
She would always remember him.
“I will find you.” August cupped Wren’s face in his hands. Their foreheads touched, gently, reverently. “Wherever we go. Wherever we end up. That is my promise to you, Wren Loughty. I will find you.I will find you.”
Their lips met and it was desperate and raw and messy. Wren threaded her hand through his curls, pulling him tighter. She just needed one more second with him. One more kiss. She just neededmore.
Wren pulled away and they slowly made their way back onto their feet. Behind them, Olivier and Emilio watched, hands interlocked. Olivier cleared his throat, biting back a swell of emotions, while Emilio sobbed freely beside him.
“I would say see you later, though I’m not entirely certain I will,” Olivier said.
Wren smiled. “I don’t think you will.”
Olivier paused, as if considering something. “Then I suppose…have a good lifeis appropriate.” He looked between Wren and August and let out a shaky breath. “Both of you.”
August nodded. His jaw flexed as he managed a feeble smile. “We’ll try.”
