“Keep working on those cuffs,” he said. “I’ll cover you.”
“No—” He felt Rui’s back pressed against his—“We’ll take the bastards down together.”
Despite his pain, Zizi grinned. “Bossy.”
“You obviously need my help.” He could hear her smile.
“Together, then.”
But as he swung his sword again, a shooting pain ripped through his spine and all the strength went out of him. His mortal body had given out. He couldn’t control it anymore.
“Zizi!” Rui cried, catching him before he hit the ground, cradling him in her arms.
The wretched talisman was in his pocket. He had to bring it to the underworld to destroy it, but he could feel the tether this body had to that realm fading.
He didn’t know if he could make his way home.
Unable to move, he stared at the skylight above them, feeling the yinqi in the air.It’s all around me....All around—?That was it. This structure they were in—it was the machine.
If he couldn’t return to the underworld, he could still destroy the talismanhere. And the impact would dismantle the machine.
Rui was still clinging to him. “What’s happening to you?”
She was so beautiful. He had so much to say to her.
“No, pleaseno,” she whispered.
Don’t cry.He worked his throat, but no words came out.
Rui had dropped her swords to catch him, and she made no move to retrieve them. She was utterly defenseless. He could hear the creatures’ growls, feel their anticipation.
Words spoken so long ago echoed in his ears....
I have pledged to protect her with mylife. What do you say to that?
Yes, Young Master Nikai.
It was a promise the Fourth King had made. A deal he never fulfilled. The reason why the cycle repeated. It was so clear now.
Will you do the same—a life for a life?
Yes, I will.
Using the last ounce of his mortal strength, Zizi reached for the watch on his wrist. Then he closed his eyes, felt the power of the underworld flowing into him—
And tore himself apart.
72
Rui
The world had gone silent.
There was no one else but the two of them. Tears streaming down her cheeks; him, dying in her arms.
A tinkling sound drifted in the air, and a series of chimes, like that from an old grandfather clock, sounded.
Five long ones. A pause. Then more chimes. Each a short chirp.
