“Then talk it through. That always helps me.” He flashed me his lopsided grin.

“Okay. If I inject this serum into Yuri, it’ll do one of two things. It will accelerate the disease and kill him. Then I revive him with a touch. Hopefully.”

“And the other?”

“It will cure him.”

“Why would you think that?”

I explained the link between the plague and Death Lily toxin.

“So you think since Death counters Peace, it’ll work in reverse?”

“Yes.”

“What happens if Yuri dies and you can’t bring him back to life?”

“Nothing. He’ll be gone.”

“Which will eventually happen regardless.” Flea gazed at the sleeping man. “We should ask Yuri first.”

“Is he lucid?”

“At times. He knows he has the plague. I thought it only fair to tell him.”

“You’re right. And we should ask for his permission to try the serum.”

Flea woke Yuri. The young man’s gaze jumped from Flea to me and back as we explained my theories. It was a lot of information to absorb.

When we finished, he closed his blue eyes for a moment. Then he looked at me. “Go ahead and do it. It’s my only chance to live.”

I picked up the syringe, poked the needle into the blue sack, and drew all the clear liquid into the reservoir. Tapping it, I expelled the air bubbles. Yuri’s gaze never left me. He held his right arm out. Flea stood on the other side of the bed, holding Yuri’s hand.

A drop of serum hung from the end of the needle as I approached. I ran my fingers along the inside of his arm, seeking the best spot.

Learn. The Lily’s comment came unbidden. I stopped as another scenario popped into my mind. Was the serum for me? Was I supposed to heal Yuri, die from the plague again and be revived by Flea’s touch?

Of all the options that one made the most sense. Had the best chance of working. Had worked before.

Why hadn’t I considered it prior to this moment? Was it because it would take me twenty days to die and the pain during those last three would be the worst I’d ever experienced? Oh, yes.

I met Yuri’s confused gaze. Could I endure the plague again? Should I? Others needed me as well as this young man. And we had to rescue Estrid and her staff in two days.

“What’s wrong, Avry?” Flea asked.

“I figured out what I’m supposed to do.”

“That’s great. Right?” Flea’s brow crinkled.

Not so great. Now I needed to decide if I should.

Kerrick

KERRICK

Kerrick suppressed a sigh and invited Ryne to get comfortable. No matter how much he wanted to catch up to Avry, Ryne needed to know.