The crooning in my head cut out, replaced by a feeling of having disappointed someone that was so profound, tears streamed down my cheeks.
"I'm sorry," I whispered.
"Ash?" Arkady said.
I stared blankly at him. There was something important I had to tell him.
Hans collapsed, the poison spiraling in black circles along his skin.
"Stone," I gasped, wiping my eyes.
Arkady looked between me and Hans, swore, and grabbed my briefcase. He lifted the sponge lining and withdrew a blue heart-shaped stone pendant that he crushed into powder over top of Hans. The poison began to fade.
Arkady jerked his chin at Avi, holding up his powder-dusted hands. "Do I do him, too?"
The scrolls were almost in reach.
"Not 'til his magic is far from here," I said, absently.
Priya helped Talia up and led the women to safety, while Arkady placed Hans in cuffs as well and herded all the men out to where Miles waited.