Page 164
“The stones.” Slowly, Lark opens his bloodied fingers. Nestled in his palm rests a crystal unlike anything Bennidix has ever seen. Violet light glows softly beneath its smooth surface, like stars trapped inside amethyst.
“The Cebalrai… The Star Stone.” Bennidix stares. “You…”
“I left the Moon Stone inside the Cave.” Lark coughs, crimson staining his lips.
“You actually did it?”
“It’ll stay hidden until the Cave opens again.” His breathing grows shallower. “The Underlings won’t be hunting us for it anymore.”
Bennidix carefully takes the purple stone. “You idiot,” he whispers through tears. “You absolute idiot.”
“I know.”
“You should have waited for me.”
“There wasn’t time.”
“There would have been.”
Lark smiles despite the pain. “You’d have argued.”
Bennidix lets out a broken laugh that immediately dissolves into sobbing.
Lark watches him quietly. “When I reached the chamber, the Cave showed me something.”
“A vision?” Bennidix wipes his eyes.
Lark nods. “A little girl.” Silence settles between the two men perched atop the mountain. She had my eyes. I don’t know where she is… or when she’ll be born… only that she’s real. And she is mine.” His breathing hitches painfully. “She’s waiting somewhere.”
Bennidix shakes his head. “Don’t.”
“You’ll find her.”
“No.”
“You will.”
“I’m getting you off this mountain so you can find her yourself.”
“Bennidix, no. You have to listen.”
“I’m not listening because you’re talking like—”
“Like I’m dying?” Lark’s words cut deeper than any blade.
Bennidix collapses over Lark, fresh tears spilling.
Larks clasps a trembling hand on the back of Bennidix’s neck, holding him there for a moment. “I want you to find her… watch over her.”
Bennidix sits up. “No.”
“Guide her.”
“No.”
“Protect her, as you do me.”
His voice cracks down the middle. “I can’t. If I promise… then I’m saying goodbye.”
