Page 426 of Eight of Swords, Part Two

The oceans are lakes of molten rock.

The monster nods.

Lachlan studies him.

‘Why do you have wings if you can’t fly?’

The monster cups his hand, the touch unexpectedly gentle. ‘Nothing hurts like hope.’

Lachlan stares at the broken moon.

‘I don’t want to leave him behind.’

‘Only one of us can leave here.’

‘Leave?’

‘Go back.’

‘Back home?’

The monster nods.

‘I’ll do anything,’ Lachlan utters desperately.

‘The memory I took,’ the monster says, offering his closed hand that opens to reveal the leaf necklace.

Mimi’s leaf necklace. ‘You must take it back.’

Lachlan stares down.

‘I gave it to Kade,’ he says, confused.

‘You have to take it back now.’

Lachlan doesn’t want to.

There’s something wrong with it.

Something bad.

‘No.’

‘You must.’

‘No, I don’t want it.’

‘Your time has come and you did not meet the terms that you yourself created.’

‘I could kill Penhalyx if you give me more time.’

‘Not him.’

‘Troy Harker is already dead. Riley didn’t know any better. He was just a stupid kid.’

‘You swore to avenge them.’

‘I tried.’