Page 96 of The Seven Rings
“What did you say?”
“That I wish she’d just die there.” She sighed it out. “Die like anyone else would. For the sea to somehow wash everything she is away from here.”
“Cut the loop here, on that night, at that time.”
“Yeah, that’d be something—except she’s already killed Astrid and taken her ring, started stage one of the curse. And in this time, she has the seven. I have to find them.”
“And after you do?”
“I… I don’t know. Happy ever after?”
“What’s to stop the loop from starting again?”
Sonya stared at him. “That’s a terrible thought.”
“Maybe not. Maybe you woke up, we watched this so we could have this conversation. We find a way to get the rings, and while we’reworking on that, we figure out how to do exactly what you said. Make sure she just dies.”
“As if the rings weren’t enough of a puzzle.”
“They’re the key. Keys,” he corrected, then looked out to sea. “This is interesting.”
“You’d think so. For me, it’s a what-the-hell moment.”
He smiled at her. “We’ll figure it out. And once you find the rings, we won’t risk having it all start up again. It ends. Ends right here, on this night.”
“In 1806.”
“We’ll work the problem. The mirror’s part of it. But”—he turned her to face him—“when we find the answers, you don’t go through it alone. Owen’s with you.
“Come on.” He drew her back in. “Let’s get some sleep.”
“You’re putting this on back-of-the-brain simmer?”
“That’s right.”
She admired the ability, didn’t think she had it.
And two minutes back in bed, dropped into sleep.
In the morning, she found Owen in the kitchen already at breakfast, which included a Toaster Strudel along with cereal and blueberries.
Heading for coffee, Sonya pointed at the pastry. “Risking your life?”
“I got permission. Fed our troops. They’re outside. Used the gym for a quick one,” he added. “She rang the bell. A lot.”
“Typical.”
“I think she came down there.”
Sonya turned. “What? While you were working out?”
“Yeah. Got cold, lights started blinking. I had music on, and that went to static. I’m going to admit, the hair on the back of my neck stood up.”
He took a bite of pastry, then picked up his coffee mug.
“Owen! What happened?”
“Just said. Except how Jones turned to the door, started growling. He’s got a good one. When he started toward the door, it all stopped.”
