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Rhett puts an arm around me. “Hopefully me.”

I elbow him.

“Ow.”

“Living people bruise now.”

His face lights up. “Oh, that’s exciting.”

“Wait until you discover hangovers again.”

His expression drops. “Fuck.”

Malakai laughs. Actually laughs.

Ezra looks at him then Rhett then me and something in his face softens.

Freedom.

Not complete. But possible.

Mercy walks toward us. Every step seems miraculous and she stops in front of Ezra.

Neither speaks. Two hundred and thirty-five years stands between them.

Ezra breaks first. “I’m sorry.”

Mercy slaps him. Hard.

Everyone freezes.

Rhett looks away.

Malakai suddenly becomes very interested in dirt.

I bite my lip.

Ezra touches his cheek. “I deserved that.”

“Yes.” Mercy grabs his face then kisses his forehead. “You idiot.”

Ezra starts crying quietly, having no fight left in him. “I left you.”

“You saved Eleanor.”

“I came back.”

“You came back.”

“I couldn’t save you.”

“You tried.”

“It wasn’t enough.”

“No.” She smiles through tears. “But Sage was.”

I immediately shake my head. “Nope.”