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The room grows tense as my words hang in the air. Cove’s frustration is palpable, his eyes filled with a mixture of concern and determination. Bhodi’s hands tremble slightly, his voice pleading. “Malia, we need more time to prepare. We can’t rush into this.”
I take a step closer to Cove, meeting his gaze with unwavering conviction. “Cove, I understand your concerns, but the Shikari’s power is growing stronger with every passing day. Waiting is a luxury we can no longer afford.”
Reef’s brow furrows, his voice strained. “But Malia, we haven’t explored all the possibilities. We need more information, a better plan.”
I reach out, resting my hand on Reef’s arm, offering reassurance amidst the turmoil. “Reef, you’ve all searched for answers tirelessly. We’ve exhausted every lead, every option. I lost you yesterday. I can’t do that again. Sacrifices must be made, and this is mine to bear.”
The professor steps forward, his voice filled with urgency. “Malia is right. Time is of the essence. I will ensure all the necessary arrangements are made. We can’t falter now.”
Cove’s gaze darts between each of us, his expression a mix of frustration, fear, and reluctant acceptance. He lets out a heavy sigh, his voice laden with defeat. “Fine. If this is what it takes to save the world, if this is your decision, I’ll stand by your side.”
Bhodi’s eyes glisten with unshed tears, his voice filled with sorrow. “Malia, I don’t like it, but I’ll support your decision. Just let me promise you that we’ll find a way to make this sacrifice count.”
I grasp their hands, my voice filled with gratitude and determination. “Thank you, all of you.”
With a solemn understanding, we set our plan in motion. The professor busies himself with the preparations for the ritual, gathering the necessary tools and knowledge. Cove, Reef, Bhodi, and I spend our remaining time in heartfelt conversations, cherishing the moments we have left together.
As night falls and the full moon casts its ethereal glow upon the world, we gather in the tiny lounge, our hearts heavy but resolute as we enjoy our final meal together. The weight of the impending sacrifice hangs heavily in the air, but we draw strength from one another.
I take a deep breath, steadying my trembling hands, as the professor tells us it’s time to go, it’s time for the ritual.
As we leave the lighthouse, I feel a bittersweet mixture of fear and purpose coursing through my veins. I steal glances at Cove, Reef, and Bhodi, their eyes reflecting a myriad of emotions—love, worry, and unyielding support.
In this moment, I know that I am not alone.
With tear-stained cheeks and a heart brimming with love, I take one last look at my companions before surrendering myself to the inevitable.
“Are you ready, princess?” Cove asks gently as the opening beats of Ruelle’sCarry Youcrackle through his phone’s speaker. Malia asked that we played music, but left it to Cove to find the perfect soundtrack.
I have to give it to him, the song he’s chosen is perfect, but the haunting melody causes a lump in my throat that’s making an already emotional situation even more heightened.
It guts me.
I don’t want this.
The voice sings about it hurting, about it being hard to breathe, about losing the will to fight and needing help to find the light…I feel this.
When Malia nods stiffly in response, Cove closes the gap between them to squeeze her hand and pull her close. He drops a tender kiss on her forehead and not for the first time I wonder if we’re doing the right thing.
I swallow thickly. There’s no going back now.Tell me it will be alright.
“It’s now or never, right?” Malia asks with a brave but wobbly smile on her face. “We’ve been on borrowed time for a while now…I’m ready.”
She’s lying. She’s not ready. How can anyone bereadyto die?
I’mnot ready for her to die.
But I can’t back down now. If I show even a flicker of weakness, of indecision, or woe betideregret, there’s no way the others will go along with this. And we’ve come too far to fail our mission. To fall at the last hurdle would be…unthinkable.
We must remain loyal to our queen. Wehave tocomplete this mission.
“You’re the bravest person I know,” Reef says reverently, stepping up to Malia and taking Cove’s place. He too kisses her on the forehead. It’s such an intimate, tender gesture. If there was ever any doubt about how they felt about Malia before now, those forehead kisses confirm it.
They’re in love with her.
I’ve only ever kissed one girl on the forehead, and the desire to do so with Malia right now is overwhelming. What does that say about me? Have I fallen as hard as the others, or is it all just a cleverly designed manipulation by the prophecy to ensure that we’re drawn to one another? Is any of thisreal?
Would I even want it to be? If I, if we, all truly loved Malia, could we go ahead with this plan?
