Page 8 of Forever Frenzy
Saul’s face reddened, but he didn’t open his mouth. Seth continued, “He wants to make you an offer.”
“What kind of offer?”
“To give you full access to The Sand. Just before you pass, you could go there and he would preserve you. You’d be able to live in The Sand,” Seth’s voice shattered.
“The Sand? You’re saying I could live in The Sand and not die?”
“You could either stay there until something happens to Mom, or you could stay forever. It’s up to you.”
Saul motioned for me to sit beside him, so I did. “Would Tage be there?” he asked, his voice turning to gravel.
“No,” Seth said. “He would either have to move to the Underworld, or...”
“Or?” Saul questioned.
“Or I could revive him and he could live on earth again.”
Saul’s palm slapped the table. “You’re kidding me, right?”
Seth shook his head.
Saul looked at me. “Do you believe this? Did you know about Tage all this time? Haveyoubeen going to see him?”
I shook my head, letting out a harsh laugh. “I had no idea until this morning, and Ididgo and see him today.” Seth ticked his head back. “To yell at him!” I added.
“Mom,” Seth groaned.
“Don’t you ‘Mom’ me. I have every right to be angry that you and he kept this secret from us foryears!”
Saul grabbed his temples. “He dies or he lives, and it’s all our decision? And my choice is to die or go to The Sand. Could you come there?” he asked me. “Could you bring her, Seth?”
He nodded. “I could, but Tage also said he’d infuse her with the power to open the door whenever she wanted.”
That was news. My eyebrows ticked up.
“At what cost?” Saul roared, half standing from his chair. Recovering quickly, he settled back into the seat. “I’m sorry. I just don’t trust him. I never have. And I’m sorry you have to hear that, Seth, but it’s the truth.”
Seth nodded. “I know.”
“I need something to drink,” Saul said quietly, attempting to stand from his seat, but his legs wouldn’t hold him. He caught himself, hands braced against the table. Fingers trembling with weakness, he looked at me. “I’m so sorry, Porschia.”
I shook my head. “It’s not your fault.”
“I should’ve listened when you screamed that day at the river. I should’ve used the ring. Maybe it wouldn’t have been too late. I thought it was.” He slumped back into his seat. “I felt the Infection. But maybe...”
It was too late to think about such things. No one could sayfor sure if it had truly been too late or not. No one could’ve predicted that the Infected, once healed, would have such lingering and awful afflictions.
I never would have imagined Saul would be so sick, or that he was going to die so young. Tears welled in my eyes and spilled onto my shirt.
“It doesn’t matter now,” I answered. “All that matters is what we do with the time we have left together.”
“If I go to The Sand, you could come with me,” he said softly.
“I can’t leave Seth, but I could visit. Every day, I could come to you.” And I would. For as long as I had the power to walk to the clearing, until I was old and feeble, or just as sick as Saul. I had been Infected, after all. Not to the degree he was, but something would ultimately claim me, too. It was just a matter of time.
He nodded. “So, Tage...”
My throat closed around the feeling of his name choking me. “Seth should decide.”
