I remember Des demanding I live. I still feel the phantom fingers of his magic trying to bar me from death. But it didn’t work. I remember that. I felt it when his magic released me. And yet here I am—alive. My gaze cuts to my bracelet. All that stares back at me is my bare forearm. For eight years, I wore it, and now it’s gone. I run my hand over my wrist. “Where is it?” “You fulfilled the rest of your repayment last night.” By living, he means. “But it didn’t work.” “I found another…alternative.”
