I tried to say it. Managed a sound. Barely a breath.
“Bond.”
She went still.
“The bond? That’s what you need?”
Couldn’t nod. Couldn’t move. Just looked at her. Hoped she understood.
The sister’s voice, somewhere distant. “What does he mean? What bond?”
Wren’s hand on my face. Her eyes searching mine.
“You said it was permanent. You said I should be sure.”
Sure. She needed to be sure. Couldn’t take it from her. Had to be her choice.
“I’m sure.” No hesitation. “I’ve been sure since you organized my books by how much I loved them.”
Oh.
“Tell me what to do.”
I managed to lift my hand. Took everything I had. Pressed it over her heart.
Then moved it to mine.
She understood.
“Hearts,” she said. “It’s about hearts.”
Yes.
The darkness was coming. I couldn’t stop it. But she was here. She understood. She would figure it out. She was a scribe. Figuring things out was what she did.
“Stay with me,” she said. “I’ll be right back. I need to get you inside, get you warm, and then we’re doing this. Tonight. Now.”
Her lips on mine. Brief. Fierce. A promise.
Then she was moving. Giving orders. The sister helping.
I let the darkness take me.
She would bring me back.
