Page 35 of Darkest Need

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.”

Medusa’s eyes are closed, but she turns in my direction. “My dear sister, it’s only a curse if I make it so. Now, open your eyes, Tarek. Let me give you what you need.”

Tarek pants on the ground, dirt covering his face. “And what is that?”

“To see death and stay alive.” She cups his cheeks. “Open your eyes. Open them, son of Enoch. You have years of life in you, but if you do not accept death, you cannot accept life. So, watch me. Watch me and accept it. Only then can you live.”

My chest hurts. I start crawling toward him as much as I can, but I’m too weak to make it very far.

Cassius runs over and picks me up, then whispers in my ear, “Trust us.”

I shake my head. “He’s mine.”

“So let him choose,” he says right back. “Just like the stars. And just like you did so many centuries ago.”

I can’t watch, so I turn my head when Tarek opens his eyes and locks gazes with Medusa.

I’m too afraid to look.

Cassius sets me down. A hand grabs mine, and I glance left. It’s Genesis. She smiles and squeezes my fingers. “Remember, fear is not welcome here.”

“Not welcome,” Stephanie adds.

“Never,” Hope agrees.

Before I know what’s happening, all the women walk with me toward Tarek, and I see him stand, completely alive and whole.

I run toward him.

But something stops me.

“You,” a childlike voice says, “and I need to talk.”

My entire body freezes as I turn and look at the Creator. “Are you here to end me?”

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