“I’m sorry,” Amolie said, gently touching my hand. “But I have good news. I still have the Trinity Stone.”

“I will get them back,” I said through gritted teeth.

Gripping the scepter tight in my hand, I called upon the Morrigan.

The goddess took shape. Her wounds healed.

“Oh, what happened here?”

“I accidentally killed the two men I love, and I need to cross over and bring them back.”

She stared at me blankly.

“You… want… to… die?”

“Yes.” I couldn’t believe the words coming out of my mouth. I had wanted to die so many times before, but this time was different. This time it wasn’t out of self-hatred or pain. I wanted the men I loved back, and I would bring the underworld to its knees if that’s what I had to do.

She let out a long breath.

“And how do you plan on getting back?”

“I control the Scepter of the Dead. There has to be way for me to come back through it. And if not, Amolie will bring us back.”

I looked at my friend.

She bit her lip. Her normally jovial face awash with concern.

“I mean, I’m not an expert but, I think I could.”

She’d have to. There was no stopping me now. I couldn’t think about this any longer or else I’d back out of it.

“Great. That’s all settled. Amolie will bring me back and I’ll bring Caiden and Tharan with me.”

“This is madness,” the Morrigan said, her blue eyes going wide. “I’ve never seen someone bring two souls back with them.”

Ice ran through my veins, but I pushed it aside.

“Then I guess there’s a first time for everything.”

The Morrigan shrugged.

“I will meet you on the other side, Commander.” She disappeared back into the scepter.

Amolie and I stared at each other. There was so much left unsaid between us. We’d been best friends for five years. She’d seen me at my worst, and at my best, and now she would watch me die.

Bile rose in my stomach, but I swallowed it. Fear did not have a home here.

“How do you want to do it?” she asked. Her eyes downcast to the floor.

I could only think of one painless way to go.

“Got any poison on you?”

She nodded, pulling a vial of bright yellow liquid from her pocket. Hands shaking.

“The Kiss of Death from Pinky’s.”

I sighed.