Chapter 26

I float in and out of consciousness and in strange flashes between reality and a dream-like haze, I find myself experiencing scalding pain. I'd see Rylan holding on to my hand, then his young face would morph into an angular visage and then it'd be Malcolm staring down at me, shaking his head slowly. Once, I heard him speak, but the voice that came out of his mouth was different. "....No mind the cost. But you know one thing? Fate will find a way to take its due."

Countless times I'd come awake, remember everything that'd happened, then I'd fall back to sleep and come to, wondering where I was and why I wasn't in Malcolm's arms.

"... I think so."

"We can't lose her."

"I--I know, Ivar. It's jus