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Mercy looks at Rhett and her smile disappears. She touches his chest and feels his heartbeat. “Oh.”

Rhett covers her hand. “Yeah.”

“You’re living.”

“For the moment.”

Her face tightens. “Don’t give it back.”

Rhett goes still. “What?”

“Your life.”

She looks at his mark. “It isn’t an offering.”

“Then what is it?”

“A return.”

Silence.

Rhett stares.

My heart jumps.

“Wait.” Mercy looks at Malakai. “And you.” She touches his marked wrist. “Rooted.”

Malakai nods. “It gave me the field.”

“No.” She smiles. “It returned it.”

His face changes. “What?”

“You were the Tiller before the bargain.”

“Yes.”

“You could hear the land before.”

Malakai goes completely still. “How do you know?”

“You told me.”

He looks shattered. “I don’t remember.”

“I know.” She touches his face again. “It took pieces from all of you.”

Holy shit.

Rhett’s life. Kai’s connection to the Earth.

Returns. Not sacrifices.

“Then what does three must give mean?”

Mercy’s expression changes. “I don’t know.”

Of course.