Lara was brushing dirt off her pants but stopped when she saw them. She walked toward them. “I didn’t think I’d see you so soon.”

“Well, we are rather attached to this lovely town,” said Althacazur, dripping with sarcasm. “I see Bill is here.” He nodded toward Ben.

“Ben,” said Ben, correcting him from behind Lara.

“Whatever,” said the daemon, who was dressed like he was headed to a steampunk convention: military brown leather trench coat, top hat, and mirrored glasses. “You did a marvelous job battling Esmé. She’s back home where she belongs. I rather think she’s happy to be there, although she would never admit it, of course. She sends her regards, Bill. But now it’s time, my dear.”

Lara could feel the tears welling up. “I’m not ready. I need more time.”

Althacazur ignored her, tilting his body to get a good look at Audrey.

Confused, Lara looked around, continuing, “I did what you asked. I just need more time. Surely, I’ve earned it.”

And yet Althacazur wasn’t looking at Lara. A thin smile formed on his lips, patronizingly. “You made that perfectly clear.” He put his hands together like the Grim Reaper, waiting patiently.

But it was Audrey who turned to her daughter, wiping tears from her cheeks with dirt-covered hands. “In Paris, when I got there. You were dying. You didn’t have much time left.”

Lara recalled seeing her mother in those dark hours, but then she’d seen Todd too. She knew now that she’d teetered on the edge of death, but she’d come back. Lara looked from her mother to Cecile, confused.

“Despite Father’s efforts, you weren’t strong enough to absorb me on your own,” said Cecile gravely. “I’m so sorry, Lara. Had your mother not intervened, added her magic, you would have died.”

“Intervened?” Lara shot a look at Audrey. “What do you mean?”

“I made a deal with him,” said Audrey, a sad smile forming on her lips. She took the shovel and tossed it back toward the graves and shook the dirt from her pants like she needed to be tidy and presentable for what happened next.

Althacazur stood emotionless, letting the scene play out in front of him.

“No no no.” A primal scream erupted from deep inside Lara, followed by a gutteral moan. She clutched Audrey. “Please, no.”

“It was a necessary sacrifice,” said Audrey, placing her hands on Lara to steady her. “I agreed to go with them after we defeated Esmé. It was a fair deal, Lara. Anything to save you.”

“Oh, Mother, no.” Lara doubled over and Ben scrambled to get to her, but she fell on her knees in the field. “No. No.” She looked up at Althacazur. “Take me instead. I’ll go now. Please.”