Page 836 of End Game

When I finally wipe the tattoo clean, he looks down and goes silent for a long moment, studying the small black die now settled into the skin of his forearm.

His thumb moves near it, careful not to touch.

“Nineteen.”

“Yeah.”

His expression shifts in a way I can’t quite name.

“Good.”

That’s all he says.

It’s enough.

I bandage him and release his wrist, and my palm feels strangely empty when I do.

Griffin takes his place next.

He strips his shirt off without ceremony and lies back on the table.

Dex whistles.

Griffin doesn’t even look at him. “Do it, and I leave.”

“I was complimenting the groom.”

“You were being annoying.”

“Both can be true.”

Griffin chose the left side of his chest, directly over his heart. I knew he would before he even told me. He didn’t seriously consider another placement.

I press the stencil into position, then hand him the mirror.

He attempts to angle it.

Then he tries to lift his head.

“Can you see it?”

“No.”

“Then stop doing that before your neck hurts.”

He gives me a look.

I stare back.

Eventually he drops his head against the table. “Fine.”

Dex leans over from one side while Ronan moves to the other. Those are the only two who can actually see what I’m doing once I sit down.

Griffin can’t.

He tries once more when the machine starts, realizes all he can see is the top of my head and a warped angle of his own chest, then gives up completely.

His eyes settle on the ceiling.