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“I wanted your death for revenge But clearly, being alive is a greater suffering”

I clenchedbastard Don’t take this away from me”

“If you want it so bad, do it yourself” He flattened his palainst the arainst the rug now that he didn’t bother to stay quiet “Or you can return to the Chasseurs, have a purpose, and uphold your vow”

“That’s all you care about, isn’t it?” Angry trehter, and all you care about is business—”

“What did you expect?” It was the first tiet to hi know it You deserted us, and you have no idea what it cost I’ you another chance to redee the easy way out and being a coward You can’t help your daughter Theto hell—and she’s somewhere else” He stared me down as he towered over me, one boot in front of the other “When you showed your face at the Catacoranted you ain I put enerous, and all I should be hearing frohter and then pull the trigger No one will miss you anyway”

I listened to him walk away, listened to him leave my house for the last time “Bartholomew”

He stopped and looked athis body to face me

“If I come back…will you take down the cult with me?” I stared at him, felt my heart beat a little harder in hope, that perhaps he would have a heart for once and do the right thing—regardless of the cost I didn’t knohere the caot to the bottom of it But alone, I couldn’t uns, I needed an ar but hot cinders behind

He gave his answer in silence—by walking out the door

9

Constance

Before I opened my eyes, I felt the cool cloth on my forehead Drops of water dripped down the sides of my head and intoht to ertips

My eyes opened, and I looked at the face above mine