Page 263

Something in his voice makes me look at him.

There’s no hesitation left in his face.

No guilt dragging his eyes away from mine. No attempt to decide what’s best for me and disappear beneath the weight of it.

He’s here.

With me.

Whatever the fuck happens next, he isn’t running from it anymore.

Before I can say anything, the Harvest moves.

One enormous hand extends toward the ancient table, and every mouth across its body opens.

The word that comes from them shakes the ground beneath our feet.

“TILLER.”

Malakai’s mark ignites and he screams.

“KAI!”

He drops and both hands hit the ground as black veins race up his arms and roots erupt around him. Not attacking—connecting. They wrap his wrists, ankles and waist. He gasps. “Sage...”

I go toward him but Ezra grabs me. “Wait.”

“Let go!”

“Look,” he tells me.

Malakai isn’t being pulled down. The roots are moving away from him, across the field under the table and into the corn. Every stalk straightens and the burned plants turn green causing the dead leaves to uncurl. Corn grows everywhere in seconds.

Holy shit.

Malakai’s eyes turn black and his mouth opens. When he speaks, his voice overlaps with something deeper. “The Earth is prepared.”

The Brides bow lower and the Harvest speaks. TILLER.

Malakai’s mark changes. ‘ROOTED’ burns brighter then the roots release him.

He collapses in the dirt and I reach for him. “Kai.”

His eyes return to brown and he grabs my arm. “I’m here.”

“Are you?”

“Yes.”

“Promise?”

He looks at me. “I choose to be.” His wording… intentional.

I squeeze his hand, and The Harvest moves again.

REAPER.

Rhett’s mark ignites. He doubles over as his heart pounds so loudly, I hear it.