Chapter 243

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.