“What do I have to do?”
Alexander thought he was imagining things until he looked up and found Cassandre standing beside him. Her hair had come undone, and curly ringlets pushed forward into her face.
“You will help them?”
She nodded. In an instant, Alexander popped up and led her back to the pentagram. Once they were both inside, he said, “Recite the spell, Cassandre. No matter what happens, recite the spell.”
Cassie nodded and began the spell, praying she was doing the right thing. Nicolette’s words, coupled with the sea of faces staring out at her, had made it impossible for her to turn away. Cassie’s voice grew louder, and she heard Alexander chanting along with her. A different spell. His voice was joined by another, and she didn’t need to look to know it was Nicolette. Their voices blended together, and Cassie closed her eyes, overwhelmed by the need to do so. She began chanting words she hadn’t learned, lifting her arms above her head, moving out of the pentagram only to move back in.
Her druid fell silent, and she opened her eyes to find Alexander standing directly before her, a dagger held out to her. She looked from his face to the dagger, and shook her head. Not again. No, she couldn’t. She hadn’t done it to a stranger. What made him think she’d do it to him?
“No, Alexander, you will—” Nicolette was silenced by a firm look.
You must, Cassandre. This is the only way to resurrect them and to keep my word to you.
Your word? He wasn’t making any sense. She took a step back but he reached out and touched her shoulder.
I gave you my word that if you helped me, I would do whatever it is you wished. You wished me to spend eternity in Hell.
He indicated the dagger. Please, you must hurry.
“Are you shitting me?” Cassie burst out, briefly looking over his shoulder to the people in the distance. “I didn’t mean it literally. You’re kidding, right?”
His brows drew together.
So you don’t want me to spend an eternity in Hell?
No! No! I was angry.
The dagger in his hand, the golden one with the trident etched into it, disappeared and another one, a plain black-handled dagger, appeared in its place.
Then use this.
“I can’t.”
He sighed and gently gripped both of her shoulders. “If you don’t do this, it all will have all been for nothing. Without a sacrifice, they will never be able to walk the earth.”
“What about Cronin?” Nicolette asked from behind them.
Cassie lifted a brow.
Alexander’s mouth hardened and he replied, “He isn’t powerful enough. I suspected he might try to betray me, so I only allowed him a fraction of his power when I broke the curse.” He focused on Cassie once more. “Do it, Cassandre. Only you can do it.”
Reaching down, he took her hand and pressed the hilt of the blade against her palm. His fingers traced it lightly before he blew out a breath, and nodded. “I’m ready.”
Her hand trembled. She shook her head.
“I won’t die, Cassandre. This has happened before. I’ll come back.”
“Do it, Cassandre. You must hurry,” Nicolette said urgently from behind her.
“Please don’t die,” she whispered fiercely, and he gave her a quick nod and a smile.
Alexander held out his wrists, and she sliced them, wincing even though he didn’t so much as flinch. She looked to his neck and shuddered. Wrists were one thing, but she really couldn’t do—that. As if sensing her refusal, he reached down with a bloodied hand and took hers, lifting it to his neck, his pale eyes never leaving hers.
He brought the blade against his throat, and Cassie kept her focus on his eyes. His hand moved hers rapidly, and his mouth opened on a brief gasp. Her attention went to his lips as he breathed out, “Keep chanting.”
Alexander stumbled and Cassie reached forward, gently lowering him to the ground. Thunder roared in the distance and lightning flashed across the sky. Though it wasn’t possible, Cassie swore she heard the sound of crashing waves.
“Chant,” he whispered, and it took great effort not to focus on the blood that seemed to be everywhere.
Tears sprang to her eyes but she did as he asked. The wind picked up and the sky burst open, pelting them with cold, almost punishing rain. She chanted until the words died away, until her voice felt close to gone, until she could do so no more. All was silent. The rain had stopped. Slowly, she blinked. The haze had fallen away, and the druids huddled silently against each other, clothing wet and eyes wide, as if afraid to speak.
Nicolette moved from behind her, and she watched as the druid strode over to where those of her race stood. She walked with her arms outstretched, and once contact was made, noise erupted. Cries of jubilation went up as families and friends embraced one another. Nicolette was swept into the midst and lost among them.