“This is the only way.” I looked from him to my husbands. “When I'm bound to it, I'll be able to learn about it, and maybe I can find a weakness. Outwit it, that's what my star said.”
“Nyet.” Kirill crossed his arms. “If you fail, it vill have you.”
“Kirill, think of Lesya.”
Kirill's jaw dropped.
“Vero,” I said to Trevor. “Dominic and Sebastian.” I looked at Az. “I'm doing this for them and all of you. I'm doing it for Samara. For Brevyn and Rian. You cannot stop a mother from defending her children. Now, kiss me goodbye.”
“No.” Viper shook his head. “No, it can't go like this. It's not possible.”
I kissed his cheek. Viper pulled me into an embrace.
“Trust in your destiny,” I whispered in his ear.
“Starlight, please don't leave me again.” A tear trickled down his cheek.
“I'm not leaving you. I'm fighting for you. If you can't trust your destiny, trust me.” I brushed his tear away and turned toward Trevor.
“Minn elska, you think you're saving us, but this will destroy us.”
“I'm not dying, nor will you lose me. You can visit me here until I find my way back home.”
“No, please.”
“I love you, honey-eyes.” I kissed him.
I had to pull myself free of his arms. “Odin.”
“This is the best option, but I hate it.” He pulled me into his arms. “I love you, Vervain, and I know what you're capable of. I will trust you to fight for all of us.”
“I love you, too, Oathbreaker.” I kissed him goodbye. Then I opened my arms to Azrael. “My Angel.”
“Carus, I have the armies of Heaven and Hell at my call, but I'm still not strong enough to save you.” He wrapped his black wings around us and kissed me.
“I don't need you to save me, remember? I'm the Godhunter. Let me do my job.” I stroked his cheek beneath the silver symbol of his name in Angelic script. “I love you, Death.”
“I love you too.” Death released me to his brother.
“Kirill, you must take care of the Intare while I'm here.”
Kirill yanked me into an embrace and kissed me. When he pulled back, it was only to place our foreheads together. “Tima, I need you more zan zey do.”
“I won't let you down. I love you, my black lion.”
“I love you.” He let me go, his face tightening with pain.
“Re.” I held out my arms.
“I will stay here with you and help you fight, La-la.” Re pulled me close to kiss me, but then took my hand. “We go together. If you need me, my power is yours. Just reach down our bond.”
“Thank you.” I let him lead me down the corridor to the machine, all the while knowing that this was something I had to do alone. I doubted his magic would reach me once the machine connected to me.
An eager humming came from the machine as we entered the room.
“I should burn it to dust,” Re growled.
The machine whirred loudly, as if in challenge.
