Page 33 of 1001 Dark Nights: Bundle Forty-Seven

Bannik grabs her hand, and I’ve never seen a man so tall.

He’s truly a Fallen Angel, one of the first, not from the Garden but from being a Watcher. From becoming what he should have never been.

He locks eyes with me and then turns toward Horus. “Did you find my star?”

Horus walks forward, and it’s like everything moves in slow motion. “I promised I’d make a star.”

“That you did.” Bannik’s reddish-black hair is braided down his back. “And did you keep your promise?” A tear runs down his cheek.

Horus nods and looks at Timber, who looks at Cassius. They all walk forward. I have no idea what’s going on, but Danu is suddenly paralyzed next to me, her eyes following the movement of everything.

I slowly get up and wait.

I really have no idea what’s going on.

The angels wait, the army still with their swords in the soil. Then they shock the crap out of me and bow over their weapons.

“Ah,” Cassius says. “This was a long time coming, Archangel.” He kneels—the King of the Immortals on Earth, an Archangel in his own right, kneeling in front of Bannik, the worst of them all. He spreads his arms wide. “What better way to welcome you back than to bring you the stars?”

In a sudden motion, several fall to the Earth next to the angels. They stand and bow, and then...

They start to sing.

I don’t know the language.

I don’t know what’s even happening.

“Welcome.” Cassius stands. “Dear brother…you can hear them again.”

Was it the apple that released him that he needed all this time? The very first Fallen?

Bannik jerks his head to me. “And you.”

This can’t be good.

He smiles. “Not you.” He nods. “You’re safe. Butyou…” He grabs Danu by the neck and throws her against the ground. “Taking advantage of something so pure, something so new. You were there with us in the beginning, but you know the best part?” Danu shrieks and flails as he leans down and whispers, “We know your end. We always have. Timing is, after all, everything.”

It’s over in seconds. He flicks his wrist, and the apple appears again. He slams it against her mouth, shoves it in tightly, and whispers. “Fall.”

I expect something weird, but Idon’texpect the actual ground beneath her to disintegrate as she does, indeed, fall into a fiery pit, only to be covered up seconds later.

Bannik stands.

Cassius walks over to him, joined by Horus, and finally Timber. They watch the earth heal. Mason follows and stands behind them.

And Tarek?

He crawls.

He moves toward the immortals. “Thank you.”

“Thank the stars.” Bannik looks down. “Must I sacrifice myself again to save another immortal? When will my turmoil be done? Hmm?”

I know he sacrificed himself to save Horus earlier, but does he even possess enough power to do it again?

“No need.” A female voice sounds as Medusa leans over Tarek. “Look at me.”

“It’s a curse!” I yell. “She’ll turn you into stone.”

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