EPILOGUE

The pain was excruciating. Francesca felt her confidence waver. In front of her, the moon was about to mee the sun. And she wondered as hot tears ran down her face, if she would see it happen in her current state. She felt like dying. But Tristan, with their mind link, reminded her to keep looking in his eyes. He held her gaze, giving her all the strength she needed.

"This is the last of the mark, Francesca. Please bear with it," the gamma who had been marking her whispered. The tip of the rod touched her skin once again and Francesca screamed.

"I'm here. Keep looking at me. You can do this." Tristan said in her head.

A long pause ensued as Francesca dipped her head low, completely spent from the ritual.

"Qin ai de," Tristan murmured, his palm against her face. His voice shook in fear. "You're okay. You're okay, right?"

Francesca willed herself to speak, or even to just lift her head to tell him that she was alright. But her face felt like lead.

"Hello, Francesca." Two fami