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The sudden sound of guns going off, of bullets whizzing overhead, made Rune look up. She heard shouting and boots thudding in unison. Saw a sea of red uniforms flood the square.
The Blood Guard army had arrived. Alongside trained soldiers marched average citizens, advancing toward the witches.There had to be thousands of them. Merchants and dockworkers. Mothers and sons. Patriots who would rather risk their lives than see the Reign of Witches resurrected.
They were swarming the square. Surrounding the witches.
We’re done for.
Rune glanced at Cressida, whose face had gone white, her mouth a grim line.
“What’s happening?” asked Alex.
“This is the end,” said Rune. “It’s all over.”
Alex lifted his hand to her face, bringing her attention back to him.
“I want you to do one last thing for me.”
Rune pulled him tighter, closer. As if her embrace alone could stem Death’s tide. “Hush. Don’t tax yourself.” She would hold on to him until they killed her and pried him out of her cold, lifeless arms.
He lifted his other hand toward her, cradling her face now as warm blood seeped out of his chest wound, soaking Rune’s clothes and pooling onto the stones. “I don’t have long. But you …you have a whole life ahead of you.Rune.I want you to live it.”
She closed her eyes. “It doesn’t matter now.” She lowered her lips to his hair. Even if they could survive this, she’d lost everything. Everyone knew what she was. Gideon wanted her dead. And now Alex …
“I’m begging you, Rune. Save yourself.”
She shook her head. The acrid smell of gunpowder burned in the air once more. Any moment, the Blood Guard would start picking them off one by one. Cressida was powerful, but she couldn’t single-handedly stop an army aided by thousands of determined patriots.
Her eyes were still closed when Alex took her hand in hisand pressed her palm to his chest, where the bullet had gone in. His blood was warm and wet beneath her skin.
“I’m giving you permission.”
Her eyes fluttered open.What?
“You’ve only ever cast small spells and illusions because you’ve never had enough fresh blood to do more.”
Her brows knit. “What are you saying?”
“Usemyblood. I won’t require it much longer.” He smiled, a little sadly. “Take as much of it as you need.”
“I …I can’t.” But she could, and they both knew it. Magic only corrupted a witch if blood was taken against someone’s will. “Even if I could, what would be the point?”
His eyes dimmed.
“The point is to live,” he said, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. “The point is to let me give you this one small thing, because I couldn’t give you the rest.”
Rune touched her forehead to his, her chin quivering.
“Promise me my death isn’t for nothing, Rune. Tell me you’ll use it to save yourself.”
She shook her head no.
“Please.”
Rune squeezed her eyes shut, knowing it was selfish to refuse him. If their positions were reversed, she’d be begging him to do the same.
If she was going to lose him, she could give him this one last thing. Couldn’t she?
“All right.” Her voice shook. Tears dripped.“I promise.”
