“Jude,” Hector said. “Get out of here. Now.”

“What’s going on?” Jude asked carefully.

It was Ephyra who answered. “We’re here for the Chalice.”

“Why?” Anton asked.

Ephyra swallowed. “Because I’m going to use it to release the god from Beru.”

Anton gaped at her, stunned. She couldn’t be serious.

“It’s too dangerous,” Illya said. “If the god is completely free from Beru, then we have no hope of sealing it again.”

“Sealing it again?” Hector asked. “Is that what you’re here to do? Because that’s worked out so well before.”

“Illya’s right,” the Wanderer said. “If we release the god’s esha from its vessel, we’ll create a creature even more dangerous because it won’t be connected with humanity. I’ve faced the god before, unshackled by a human body. Killing it almost ended us.”

“I don’t care,” Ephyra said.

“You will if it decides to kill Beru,” Anton replied. “Think about it. The minute it no longer needs her, it will turn on her.”

“You don’t know that,” Ephyra replied.

“Are you really willing to risk it?” Anton asked. “You have no idea what you’re about to unleash. Once the god’s free, what’s to stop it from killing all of us?”

“They have a point, Ephyra,” Hector said in a low voice.

Ephyra stared at him. “You agreed to this.”

“I did,” Hector said. “I’ll do whatever it takes to save Beru. But we can’t let the god go free.”

Ephyra looked like she was considering killing Hector again.

But before she could unleash her anger, Hector continued, “So when you release it from Beru, put it inside me.”

“What?” Ephyra demanded.

Jude started toward them. “Hector, no.”

“I’m a revenant, too,” Hector said steadily. “I’m the only other person who can hold the god without dying. Anton can bind it again, in me, with the other Relics. It’s far from a perfect solution, but until we come up with another plan—”

“No,” Jude said, his tone ringing with finality. “Hector, you’re not sacrificing yourself.”

“Beru is already sacrificing herself,” Hector replied evenly. “And she didn’t get a choice.”

“We have a plan,” Jude said. “You don’t need to do this.”

“What plan?” Ephyra asked.

Jude looked past Illya to the Wanderer. Something seemed to pass between them, a communication so subtle it was just a blink of the eyes. Anton might have imagined it.

But before Jude could explain, the god materialized at the altar in a flash of bright light, Lazaros at its side. Between them sat a silver chest.

“I SEE THAT YOUR FRIENDS ARE HERE.” It would never cease being strange, hearing that ancient and terrible voice coming out of Beru’s mouth. Its gaze landed on the Wanderer. “YOU AGAIN.”

It curled a hand, and the Wanderer’s body jerked violently.