Take the scalpel.

“No,” I said hoarsely.

Take it.

My fingers trembled as I reached out. The blade was slick. I knew what Verje would make me do next; it was written on her face—the way she was smiling like a child pulling the wings off butterflies.

“Put all the martyrs together, and it’s still only a fraction of the power of one sacrament,” she said, eyes shining with glee. “And it’s all mine. You are all—”

Thunk.

The bolt pierced Verje’s windpipe. The tip protruded from the skin above her collarbone, while the shaft remained wedged in her neck like some kind of grotesque jewellery. She blinked rapidly and raised her hand to touch the iron spike.

The scalpel dropped from my fingers, clanging on the floor. My thoughts were frozen. Verje made a gurgling noise and acted like she wanted to cough, her hands fluttering over her throat. Her lacework dissolved around me. I sagged, my legs giving way.

Millie finished reloading the crossbow, aimed, and put a second bolt through Verje’s head.

The Reverend crumpled. Millie stood still for a moment, poised, watching for any sign of movement. Then she dropped her weapon and pressed her hand to her mouth.

“Oh,” I said. “Oh Eater, oh shit.”

“No kidding,” she whispered.

I tried to get up, and Millie rushed over to me. I clutched her, pressing my face into her shoulder, trying to block out the body on the floor. My chest heaved.

“She was going to eat me alive.” I could hardly get the words out. “Millie, I couldn’t stop her. She was going to make me—”

“I’m here, I’ve got you.”

“I couldn’t do anything. I couldn’t do anything,” I repeated, and she held me tight, half crushing me in her embrace. “She said she would lock me up. No one was going to find me. And she … she…”

“I won’t let her hurt you again,” Millie said fiercely.

“You shot her.”

“Eater, you’re bleeding so much.” She drew back to look at me. “I should have been quicker, you’re such a mess. But I’m here now, and I’ll never let any of them touch you again.”

She was going to make me cut myself. She was going to make me feed her.

Millie wiped blood off the side of my face, and I could tell that she knew. I didn’t have to say it aloud.

“How did you find me?” I croaked.

“Daje said that Osan had talked to him, that you were going to help Finn.” She kissed the top of my head. “Knew you’d need lace, so I came here. I think we should wrap up your arm, sweetheart; it looks so painful.”

I squeezed my eyes shut. My heart hammered.

“It’s over, she’s dead,” Millie murmured. She brushed my cheek with the back of her hand. “Is it all right if I use your mother’s shroud?”

I exhaled. Nodded. Millie leaned across and picked it up. When the silken fabric touched my gouged flesh, I jumped.