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I growl and pull at the chains binding my arms. The Oksvakt widen their stance, holding firm. I ignore the way the chains bite into my skin. Little white dots spread along one arm, almost encasing my entire forearm. I urge them to spread. Infect the traitors that bind me. If I die, then I will take them down with me.

“She fucking fainted,” Rollo seethes. “Fetch her some water. We need the bitch awake for this part, unfortunately.”

I will fucking kill him. I should have killed him when I had the chance.

My brother looks at me. “I can practically hear your thoughts, brother.”

A low growl forms in my chest.

“Oh, hush now.” He turns back to Akemi, where one of the female Underlings is now propping her up and forcing a cup of wine to her mouth.

She sputters and jolts away from the Underling, scrambling to pick up her staff. Her golden eyes crash into mine, and she stumbles forward. “Atlys!”

I nod, wanting to say more, but the chain around my neck tightens in warning.

She scans my body, taking in what must be a terrible sight. My knees drag on the floor, as I gave up walking long ago. My chest is wrapped in chains. My clothes, tattered. The black blood dried across my face from the cut on my eyebrow. Akemi’s gaze freezes on my arms. I know what she sees.

I don’t flinch.

My arms are pulled to either side by Rollo’s men, bloodied and cut, as I hang heavily in between them. But it’s not the chains that catches her attention. No.

It’s the white dots clustered along my entire forearm.

Her face scrunches up in terror, and I decide that it’s the one expression I never want to see again. My ribs ache with shame that I’m the one responsible for this. That I’m the one causing my Sunrise so much harm.

I was stupid not to tell her sooner. A coward. Foolish.

Would telling her sooner have made a difference?

I’ll never know.

Akemi staggers back a few steps. “Let him go.” Her voice is surprisingly steady, and my chest cannot help swell with pride underneath broken ribs. My pain is secondary to her wellbeing.

Rollo clears his throat. “See, I knew that you would need a little convincing. Comply with my demands, and I’ll let him go.”

“N-no!” my voice is harsh, straining against the chain around my neck.

Akemi doesn’t look at me. Why won’t she look at me?

“Before I agree, what is your demand?”

I lurch forward, and the Oksvakt tug me backward, choking me.

“Open the basin and retrieve the Cebalrai Stone. Then give it to me.”

“AKEMI NO!” I roar. “Don’t do it!”

An Oksvakt guard kicks me in the side, right on the broken rib. I bend forward in pain, almost blacking out. Through my misery, I hear Akemi agree.

No! I’m not worth it. Doesn’t she know that? Can’t she understand?

I’m not worth it!

“You are,” she says softly, and I realize that I must have projected my thoughts to her.

I groan and position myself on my knees, peering at the woman I love through strands of bloodied blond hair. The pillar of light is almost past the ancient stone statue. Akemi places her finger tip on the basin, pricking herself on the fine point in the center. Red blood slowly dribbles down into the bowl. The etchings around the chamber ignite, words glowing in an old human script I haven’t read for an eternity.

We all watch in fascination as Akemi reaches into the center of the basin and pulls out a small grey rock.