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A single wound appeared below Xavier’s eye. His body went limp, and he fell sideways. Time slowed until his soul separated from his body. If it weren’t for Neir, Lily would’ve collapsed to the ground.

“Poor thing,” he cooed. “Now that I think about it, it is quite a miserable existence.”

She blinked so the tears would leave her eyes, and she could see the dark, cold smog clawing its way around his body.

“Why are you so upset? That’s what you wanted.” Neir shifted, keeping one arm around her while removing the gun from her fingers. “Maybe you’ll feel better knowing what your other friend chose.”

Lily’s heart ripped in two. Her head fell low, and she let go of a strangled sob.

“As much as I wanted her to suffer for interfering and letting you escape, by the time I had the chance to speak to her, I was in a good mood. She was brave. Loud.” Neir presented something in front of Lily, spinning it so it caught the light. “I made it quick.”

Reina’s ring. Lily couldn’t speak. She could barely stand to look at it, but she forced herself. Neir slid the heirloom over one of her bloody fingers, caressing her hand from below like he was admiring it.

“Your lieutenant reminds me of her.”

Oh, gods, no. Maude. Neir had her too? “Don’t…”

“Luka’s with her. There’s still time to save her before she bleeds out.”

“I’ll listen, damn it! I’ll kill them!”

“No.” Neir spun Lily to face him, jerking her to him so she had no choice but to look into his eyes. “Say you’ll do what I’ll tell you.”

Hot tears poured down Lily’s cheeks, the feel of them foreign—forgotten since the day she left Markoth long ago after losing her family. “I’ll do what you tell me. I’ll do anything. Please, just let her go. Let Luka go. I can’t—I can’t do it again.”

Neir studied her with his rotten soul. Relaxing his hold on her wrists, he lifted the knife again and cut into his own hand. He grasped at hers, the auras of their blood mingling above. “There’s much I admire about Ashin customs. They’re similar to the Failish. Blood unions being one of them. It’s not so much about the mixing as it is the trace their blessed can see. A symbolism of unity of souls. Failish are more grounded. I see what’s left behind as connection.” He squeezed hard. “I’ve come to realize I want a lot of the same things your leaders from Tyrsia do.”

Lily stifled her sobbing. “Like what?”

“Aligning the Pantheon. The difference being I want it done sooner than later. With you, and Luka…” Neir frowned. “The problem is trust is very fickle. As much as you don’t trust me, I trust you even less. As long as that mark exists on your hand, I will not hurt the people you care about.”

If I do what you ask… In the back of her mind, Lily knew the long-term implications of agreeing to such a demand. But the flits of worries were unable to penetrate the panic and grief overtaking her. She wanted Luka back. She wanted Maude to walk out of here. She wanted this to stop, and she’d agree to anything to make it happen.

Lily glanced at the remaining soldiers kneeling before them. Neir pushed her ahead, hovering close behind with a hand gripping her upper arm.

She shot them, one right after the other, exactly as she had Xavier.

Neir snickered as they fell. Lily averted her gaze from their parting souls.

Ahead, Xavier’s handler opened his mouth. Behind her, Neir cursed loudly. He brought her back to his chest, trapping her as he had before.

Warmth pooled at Lily’s back, and Neir’s voice rattled down her spine. “You got up quick.”

Lily looked around to see who he was speaking for and realized it wasn’t meant for her.

Neir straightened, and as he did, a burst of blazing light forced her eyes shut. Lily was jerked one way, then the other as Neir barked out orders. Suddenly, they came to a stop, and all Lily could hear was a gargled voice, then the rips and tears of flesh splattering to the ground.

Neir thrust her head up, and Lily peeked through her eyelids as the light faded. A jolt shot through her chest.

Jarek.

She wrestled against Neir, but he held fast, digging a thumb into her cheek, fingers pushing against her throat until her pulse burned beneath the pressure. Standing just up the road and heaving, Jarek widened his eyes, and his Flare flashed when it found hers.

“Let her go,” he said, the demand almost a plea.

“I don’t think I will,” Neir responded coolly.

“Now!” Jarek yelled. “And I will spare you an end like his.”