Chapter 219

Rachel broke off into sobs. Katelina struggled to find words that would stop this from happening. What would she do if this were the other way around? What if Jorick had died and she was left as an immortal with a broken heart? To know that the echoing ages lay ahead; dark, sunless night after dark sunless night, each one as empty and devoid of happiness as the one before-

There was nothing she could do. Even if she ran in the house and told Joseff, Rachel would just do it later. Jorick had once said of Oren that he couldn't keep him alive by sheer will power, and he was right. Each person held their own life in their hands, and you couldn't make them keep it if they wanted to be rid of it.

Tears dripped down her face, but she nodded. Rachel smiled and squeezed her hand. "Thanks, honey. You don't know what it means to me."

She turned her face to the east, where a pale band of light began. The light grew. With every second that ticked past, Katelina grew sicker inside.