Being with you... you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. You make me feel... I feel human
again when I’m with you.”
Snod’s face twisted up with anguish, pressing a soft kiss to Frankie’s lips, trying to swallow back a
sob. “I treasure every moment I’ve had with you,” he said quietly. “Even if these are our last moments
together, I regret nothing.”
Frankie whined and weakly shook his head. He was losing his strength as the silver chains continued
to burn into him and drain away his energy. He couldn’t speak, concentrating on the bond instead.
I’m not afraid of death... I’m afraid for you...
“I’m ready,” Snod said earnestly. “I can face whatever comes in the next world. My soul is
prepared.”
Ephraim scoffed loudly, but made no other comment.
Snod snarled, but resisted the urge to start another fight. He tried to focus his thoughts, closing his
eyes tight.
We’re alive. They want something from us.
Frankie fidgeted slightly.
Terrell... his name. Summoning him, if that’s even what they’re trying to do... It won’t work, Obe...
they’re crazy.
They don’t know that yet. We will find a way to escape, I promise you. Although I am ready to meet
death, this will not be the day we die...
I love you, Obe.
I love you, too.
Chapter Twenty-One
The van came to a stop approximately thirty-two minutes outside of the city, give or take a few
seconds. Snod had been counting anxiously while trying to press himself as close as possible to
Frankie. Tears of blood were drying on Frankie’s face, and he was no longer able to keep the bond
clear of his pain.
It was constant agony.
The silver was burning his flesh and not allowing it to heal, leaving the wounds ragged and aching.
Frankie was exhausted, and Snod had never experienced feeling him so frail. That bright light that
always blazed so beautifully inside of him was getting dim.
