Page 125 of The World Undone

Ralph added loud, chirping barks, clearly amused by the ruckus and wanting to participate.

“Fucking hell.” Wade fell back on the bed, then pressed his pillow over his face and groaned. “It’s not even 6 a.m., what a shitty way to thank us for saving his life.”

It took only five minutes for all of us to assemble in the main room, and Izzy arrived dressed in bright purple sleep pants, smelling like toothpaste.

Ro stood next to Darius, the two of them communicating wordlessly in a way that had me worried, while Ralph wove from person to person, accepting good morning pats from everyone—and demanding two from Izzy, a demand she happily obliged.

“Max is determined to die,” Darius barked out, no preamble. “So I called this family meeting so that we can put our brains, brawn, and beauty together to come up with a plan to stop her.”

My stomach sank.

Fuck.

I clutched onto Ralph for support as I fell back onto the couch, between Izzy and Eli.

“What are you talking about?” Eli asked, then he shook his head, confused. “Also, how are you awake and…normal again? For you, I mean.”

Darius sighed, like this was the most tiresome question in the world. “We’ll get to that later. My me-ness doesn’t really matter right now,” he shot a glance to me, then Wade, “though I am deeply grateful for it. What matters is that Max will not survive Lucifer’s mystical little ritual, and she had no intention of letting any of you know that, so I’m telling you now. Because I’d like your help with stopping her.”

My mouth went dry.

Wade snorted, the joke melting when his eyes found mine. “What’s he talking about?”

Atlas was unreadable, and Declan had frozen mid coffee pour. The steaming liquid overflowed onto the counter, but she didn’t seem to care or notice.

Izzy’s hand found its way around my arm and she gave a tight squeeze of support. She studied me for a moment, eyes wide and filled with so much love that I nearly vomited. I could read her like a book in that moment, the pages spilled open.

This is what you’ve been hiding, her eyes screamed. This is what you’ve avoided talking to me about.

My throat tightened at the lines of pity and grief on her face as she read mine just as easily.

“That’s not true, right?” Eli turned to me, eyes searching. His skin paled as I fought to find something to say. “Fucking hell.”

Darius shoved his arm forward. “Yes, true. See. It’s all over her face. Guilt.” He crossed his arms. “So now we need to put together a plan to stop it.”

“I—” my voice cracked.

“Were you ever planning on telling us?” Declan asked, hissing as coffee spilled onto her feet from her overpour. “Or was this just going to be a valiant sail off into the horizon, leave-us-all-to-pick-up-the-fucking-pieces-without-you kind of thing.” The gentle lilt of her accent was thicker than usual. “Not even a goodbye or even a silly attempt at finding another option with us?”

“I was going to tell you.” My voice sounded weak to my own ears, filled with guilt, and I hated myself for it. “I just—I didn’t know how or when. And it was just easier to focus on other things.”

If I didn’t talk about it, maybe it wouldn’t feel quite so real. Quite so fucking terrifying.

“Other things?” Wade’s voice was devoid of its usual warmth. “There are no other things when it comes to your survival, Max. It’s the only thing.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Darius grabbed a coffee from Dec, blowing on it as his eyes landed on me. He didn’t even drink coffee. “It’s not happening. We need to come up with some back-up plans, that’s why we’re here. It’s,” he paused, silently scanning the room, “seven against one.”

Ralph barked.

“Right, sorry, eight. Eight against one. And I’m sure if the miserable cat were around, she’d be on our side too. We win the vote either way.”

“There—” I shook my head and paused, digging for my resolve, “there isn’t a back-up plan. It’s not something to vote on. I’m the catalyst. If we don’t complete the ritual, that potentially endangers everyone in this realm and everyone in hell. Including me. I’m dead either way. At least this way, my death can mean something. I can potentially save you all.”

“Potentially,” Darius said, dragging the word out, like he’d discovered a clue. “There’s no guarantee that will happen. Just what Lucifer says.” He snorted. “And who the fuck trusts that asshole anyway? He’s got slimy, maleficent vibes about him. I’ve personally never liked him and I’m very well known for my discerning taste.” He winked at me. “Obviously.”

“It’s not a chance we can take.” I looked at them all, my gaze landing on Ro last, begging him to see reason. We grew up as protectors. We knew our lives were likely going to be cut short. It was the norm for people who dove headfirst into danger. This was no different—a sacrifice that needed to be made. The greater good. We were designed for this. “Ro, it’s the whole world. I mean, you have to understand?—”

He scoffed, his arms crossed over his chest as he stood taller. “Don’t look at me like that, Max. You honestly thought I’d understand this? That I’d just nod along and let you do it? Help you do it? Do you know me at all? Do you know how un-fucking-fair that is—” his voice hitched, and I watched him swallow back tears that so rarely found themselves close to the surface. “Fuck that and fuck you for thinking it.”

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