Page 97 of Can you take it?

“You already know what you need to do. The biggest trouble in life is not in knowing what needs to be done but in doing it.” She nodded at the pendant.

My grip tightened. “Is it true that I will lose my connection to Cal and Mendax if I lose the pendant?”

“I’m afraid so,” she said solemnly. “But if it makes you feel any better…I was the one who arranged that special trick with the connection. You’re welcome.” She smiled.

“Does that mean that I’m no longer tied to the pendant? To the magic?”

“You’re still tied to the magic. And likewise, whoever reclaims the magic of the pendant—and may I remind you, there can only be one.” Her eyes shifted to Anna before returning to me. “You will have a deep connection forever and always with them, no matter where you are.”

I looked at the painting of the Elysian Fields, seeing friends I hadn’t seen in ages. I removed the pendant from my neck, and the Fate’s face lit up, though she didn’t say a word. I let out a deep breath, unable to believe what I was about to do.

“There’s just one thing I have to do,” I said, my eyes welling up with tears.

‘Cal, Mendax,’ I reached out.

‘You okay?’ It was Cal.

‘What’s going on?’ said Mendax.

‘I need to say goodbye.’

What? Cal said.

‘It’s time. I’m giving Anna the pendant and her powers. Cal, I’m in love with her,’ I said, grinning like an idiot.

‘Well, good riddance,’ said Mendax.

‘I can’t believe I won’t ever get to talk to you again,’ Cal said.

‘I know it feels like that, but it’s not true. When loved ones die, we don’t ever go away. Even if you can’t talk to us, we will always be there,’ I said, my heart swelling painfully.

‘I don’t think I ever stopped missing you,’ Cal said.

‘It’s okay to miss someone. It means they’re still with you. Tell Tarani that I love her, and, Mendax, keep an eye on her for me, ‘I said to the both of them. ‘Goodbye, Cal, thank you for everything. Mendax, be good to her.’

‘Of course,’ he said.

And with that, I closed the bond for the last time. I turned around and strode to the other side of the room. “Anna.”

“Yes,” she said, eyeing the pendant, her eyes wide.

I cleared my throat. “This belongs to you. I want you to have it. I should have given it to you the moment I arrived in Tartarus and not let my pride get in the way. No one has ever deserved to hold the power that comes with this more than you.”

She slowly held out her hand, tears welling in her eyes. “You’re giving me the pendant?”

I nodded, my own eyes filling with tears.

“But then you will be tied to me forever, and you will not be here,” she said, her last words carrying a hint of question.

“You’re right,” I said, dropping the pendant into her hand and closing her fingers around it, feeling the weight of carrying such a burden lifted. “You’re going to be amazing as Queen of the Underworld.” I wiped a tear from her cheek with my thumb.

Her tears started to flow faster, and it was too hard to look at her. Walter nodded in appreciation, and Eletha squeezed my shoulder.

“It’s time for them to go,” said the Fate.

Reluctantly, I returned to my place in front of the portal to the Elysian Fields—my so-called escape from everything horrible and awful, though it didn’t really feel that way.

Anna unscrewed the top of the pendant. Gold vines lifted off the small glass vial. “Feuhn kai greeyth,” she said, reading the edge.