“Is that what last night was about? Was it a goodbye?” Torija kept silent, which made Daisy panic more. “You know I’ll be in much more danger when I follow you.”

“You won’t follow me,” Torija said.

“Won’t? Why?” Daisy had a sinking feeling. She went to grasp for her necklace that protected her from compulsion, and it wasn’t there. “No, no—tell me you haven’t.”

Torija turned back to her, holding her necklace.

“You took it while I was sleeping?” The shock and hurt made tears come to Daisy’s eyes.

“I had to. I’m doing this to protect you.”

“You’re insane,” Daisy shouted. “If you ever cared about me, you’ll take me with you.”

Torija put the necklace down and tried to take hold of Daisy. Daisy pulled away, but Torija was too quick and got hold of Daisy and compelled her to stay still. She cupped Daisy’s cheeks and stared into her eyes that were flowing with tears.

Daisy didn’t move but she could talk. “Please don’t do this, Tor. I love you. Don’t make me forget what we are to each other.”

Torija was in torment. This was the hardest thing she’d ever had to do, and it was tearing her apart inside. She also had tears come to her eyes. “I’m sorry. This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, and I’m doing it because I love you with all my heart.”

Daisy was distraught. “We were supposed to fight the darkness together. Please don’t do this.”

Torija’s eyes bored into Daisy, and she said the words silently to herself. You’ll forget that you loved me. You’ll stay here with your grandmother and have a happy life.

Now she just had to say them out loud, but the words were caught in her throat.

“Please, Tor. If you love me, don’t do this,” Daisy said again.

Torija’s hands shook, and then she released Daisy, suddenly.

Daisy leaned over, touching her knees, trying to her get her breath back. “Don’t you ever try anything like that, ever again.”

“I’m sorry.” Torija handed her back her necklace, and Daisy put it on straight away. “I won’t.”

“Swear on my life that you won’t do it again,” Daisy said, fighting back the tears.

“I swear on your life that I won’t try to compel you again. Forgive me? I’m just frightened I’ll go back to the darkness, or that the enemies who follow me will try to hurt you,” Torija said.

Daisy threw her arms around Torija’s neck. “I love you, and we’ll face anything together.”

“I love you,” Torija said.

“So we’ll use one of Granny’s cars and drive to the Debreks’ home, in the morning.”

“Yes, I promise.”

* * *