Page 109 of The Last Ones Standing, Part Two

“I’m next. I have something for both of you.”

Ny goes to grab a few boxes from under the tree. We watch her and wait. I drain my glass and debate on pouring another. However, her excitement causes me to focus on the gift she hands me.

I open it to find a necklace. I lift it from the box and look at the pendant hanging from it. It’s a triangle. I look up at Ny and lift a brow. Gio lifts a little triangle charm from the box he opens, no chain is attached.

Ny has a goofy smile on her face as she hands over her triangle.

“You have to put them together, like this. They create Odin’s knot.

“We’ve been bound together since we were born. I thought this would be the perfect way for me and G to show you you’re a part of us,” Ny explains.

I swallow hard. “I love this,” I say, my accent pushing through.

This means more than she could ever understand. It is said that Odin’s knot symbolizes his ability to bind and unbind. It’s also said to symbolize the transition between life and death.

These two are my life and only death will separate me from them. Ny hands Gio a box and he opens it. His mouth falls open as he pulls a pocket watch out.

He loves pocket watches. He used to collect them. He pops it open and looks up at Ny with emotion covering his face.

“The face is ruby for you guys’ birthstones. The triquetra on the outside holds a similar meaning to the Valknut for Italians if you think of Christianity. I had them make it out of opal. My birthstone,” Ny says.

Although not exactly the same, I get what she means. She nailed these gifts. Now if we can live up to what they symbolize.

* * *

Gio

I stand with the pocket watch in my hand as I look out over the city view from the living room window. Staring at the bright lights of the city that never sleeps, I open the watch and listen to it tick.

I stopped collecting these things a long time ago. My mother had been the one who would help me find rare ones. Once she wasn’t around to collect them with me, I gave it up.

Nyla has shown once again how well she knows me. Although it was the look on Jace’s face that made my night. For once, I wasn’t worried about him feeling left out.

I never knew how much that weighed on me until now. I close the watch and run my thumb over the triquetra, feeling more centered than I have all my life.

“She’s ready this time. We all are. We’ll get it right.”

“Yeah, we will,” I say to Jace, not looking away from the view.

“What’s on your mind?”

“It’s time I start the closing act.”

“Why do I get the feeling that’s a problem?”

“Because this is all he’s ever known. He’s questioning life once it’s all said and done,” Ny says as she walks up behind me and kisses my bare back.

“Maybe,” I reply, pocketing the watch. “Either way, it’s all about to end.”

“But…” Jace says.

“It won’t all be for nothing. They will all get what they want but only after I’m satisfied. I’m taking over.”

“Well, isn’t that what they want?”

“No, that’s not what he means,” Jace says. “He’s taking over everything. He’s taking control back. He’ll do what they want, but his way.”

I nod and inhale. “Find me Bertice. It begins.”

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