And then it was over. The ringing was worse though. At least I thought it was worse. All I knew was I didn’t think I’d ever felt this bad.

I panted a few breaths, letting the pain flow out of my body. Hot tears rolled down my cheeks, dripping onto the floor.

Lorne looked at me, and I could feel his pain as if it were mine. I knew I was forcing his hand, and I hoped that eventually, he’d forgive me. Especially for the lying, because I had a feeling that this was about to go terribly wrong for me.

But we had to keep going. Nothing had changed. We couldn’t be captured. Not now. Not ever. I would sacrifice everything to make sure at least that much happened.

I nodded at Lorne and then winced from the pain of moving my head. “Do it.” My voice was shaky, but I was okay.

“Ready in three. Two. One.” He hit the button.

It took me a second to catch my breath. The stone floor was cold against my face, and I needed a second as the sobs wracked through me.

Just one more second.

One more.

“They’re coming. We’re too close to Zktra’s base.” Declan said. “Hit it again.”

“No.” Lorne’s voice was cold and vicious.

“Do it!”

“No,” he said quietly. I couldn’t see him, but I knew that he was giving up. I could hear it in his voice. “It’s over. She’s in too much pain. I can’t… And the ship… It’s barely holding together. The healing chamber won’t work. There’s not enough power left even if I… I…I won’t be able to save her.”

Audrey was murmuring to me, wiping my face with a cool, damp washcloth. I felt Lorne come over. I knew I had to be the one to tell him, but I wasn’t sure I could find the words.

He ran his hand down my back. I was still in a ball on the floor. My forehead resting against the ground. I could hear the plop-plop-plop of my blood as it dripped out of my ears.

I’m a di Aetes. Di Aetes never quit. Not ever.

I closed my eyes and thought of Jason in that diner. Of the feel of his fat fingers digging into my arm. Of his hand weaseling its way into my underwear. And I turned my head just enough to catch Lorne’s gaze.

I could handle it. I knew I could. Jason wasn’t winning. “Do it.”

His jaw ticced. “No.”

He had to do it. I would do anything—say anything—to convince him. “Please. I don’t want to go back there.”

“No.” He shook his head slowly. “I can’t watch you die.”

“Declan?”