The adult Zander could have been her own father’s double. Line breeding did that. The Singer could supply the spark of life—but required two human vessels to complete the act.

None of that was Zander’s fault.

His eyelids wiggled and then his eyes opened. His mouth moved and she read his lips. Mama.

This was what the Singer had been occupied with while they waited for him to attack them. Memories and music were his powers, not life and death, so keeping Zander alive had taken the Singer time and power.

“I almost told her that the bullets wouldn’t kill you,” Leah said, kicking the Glock out of his hand. He didn’t have the strength yet to use it—but she didn’t know what would happen when the Singer became aware of her here. Maybe he’d be preoccupied with Charles and the sword. “The Singer couldn’t afford to lose you yet. Those new children are not even born—and he cannot leave these caves. Not until he Becomes.”

Becomes something more, she thought. A god. A more powerful being. She thought of the damage that the Singer might cause once free of the caves, and found the determination she needed.

“I thought I could give you a chance.” She knelt beside him and put her hand on his face. Leaning forward, she kissed his forehead at the same time that she unsnapped the sheath he wore on his belt and took out the knife.

ANNA WAS WAITING for her when she came out of the cave. Like Leah, Anna wore her human shape, though she was clothed. The perceptive Omega wolf did not say anything, just walked at Leah’s shoulder. Leah raised her face to the blessed rain so that it could bathe away the evidence of the price she’d paid to kill the Singer.

Bran and Charles both stood up and left Tag to trail after her. Jonesy’s sword rose out of the blackened flesh like a cross on the top of a hill. Crosses made her think of her father, and Leah had the odd thought that she might at last make peace with that memory.

Her father had been weak. He’d believed his god had forsaken him in the wilderness—no matter that all of the choices that had led them there had been his own. It was no wonder that when faced with another god, one that required nothing more difficult than obedience, her father had not even struggled with the decision.

She jumped on top of the tentacle. The weakness in her damaged leg and her inability to use either hand made her wobble. Bran caught her elbow and steadied her. Then he let her go.