AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"I saw what you did to those girls."
"It's horrible. I won't deny it. I have made many sacrifices for this," Miss Moore says. "What sacrifices will you be willing to make?"
"I will not do what you have done."
"You say that now. Every leader has blood on her hands."
"I trusted you!"
"I know. And I'm sorry. People will disappoint you, Gemma. The question to ask is whether you can learn to live with the disappointment and move on. I'm offering you a new world." I cannot live with it. "They were right to deny you. Eugenia Spence was right."
Her eyes flash. "Eugenia! You do not know what she has become, Gemma. She has been with the dark spirits all this time. How will you fight her if you must? You will need me in the time to come. I promise you that."
"You're trying to confuse me," I say.
"You cannot cross!" It's Asha's voice.
Pippa has rushed through the wall of water.
"Pip!" Felicity runs after her. Ann wavers for a moment but follows.
"What is happening?" Pippa asks.
Felicity raises her bow. "I've one arrow left."
"If you shoot me, I take with me all the secrets I know about the dark spirits and the Winterlands. You'll never know."
"Do you know how to use the magic to keep a spirit here and free?" Pippa asks uncertainly.
"Yes," Miss Moore says. "I can find a way to give you what you want. You will not have to cross over. You can stay here in the realms forever."
"She's lying, Pippa," I say.
But I see the aching desire in Pippa's eyes already. So does Miss Moore.
"I wouldn't have to leave you, Fee," Pippa says. Of Miss Moore she asks, "Will it hurt terribly much?"
"No. Not at all."
"And will I remain as I am?"
"Yes."
"Don't believe her, Pip." "What have you promised me, Gemma? I helped you and what have you done for me?"
She steps around the well and takes Miss Moore's hand."So we can be together, Fee. Just like before."
Felicity's hand wavers on the bow. The string loosens.
"Felicity, you know it can't be," I whisper.
"Shoot her," Ann whispers."Shoot Circe."
Felicity takes aim, but Pippa moves in front of Miss Moore, protecting her like a shield. I do not know what would happen to Pippa, a spirit, if she were to be killed inside the realms.
Felicity stands, muscles straining from the weight of the taut bow and the ruthless task. At last she lowers the bow. "I can't. I can't."
Pippa's smile is heartbreaking in its love. "Thank you, Fee," she says, running to embrace her.
