“I trust you were successful,” Chance says confidently.
“We have it. But you need to cast the Dy out of Emmy first,” I order.
“No, first you hand over the Amulet,” she insists.
“That’s not how it works,” Ameana says.
“Okay, guys, let’s all just calm down. Chance, you have our word. After you help Emmy, we’ll give you the Amulet,” Rio promises.
“I think that sounds okay,” Charity says to her sisters.
“Fine,” Choice agrees with great reluctance.
A long dark table with restraints on the side, appears out of nowhere. They instruct Emmy to lie down. She looks over at me. I signal to her that it’s okay. She goes over to the table and lays across it.
“What are you going to do to her?” I ask.
“We’re going to insert this needle in her eye. There’s a mixture inside it that will break the map into hundreds of tiny specks. Then it will collect each speck individually and transfer them from the human’s eye into the tube,” Chance explains.
The needle she’s using is as thin as an eyelash. Its tip is gold-colored and extends out into a long, thin translucent tube.
“Is it going to hurt?” I ask.
“Yes.”
“You never said anything about pain,” I protest.
“We’re trying to remove an item that’s been embedded inside her eyes for years. It’s deep in her cells. How could it not hurt?” Choice says testily.
“We’re not gonna let you torture her,” Jay says.
“From what I understand, she’s used to that,” Choice replies smugly.
Seriously, what is this chick’s problem?
“Marcus, I can handle it,” Emmy says, looking up at the ceiling.
“How bad is it going to be?” I ask.
“Not as bad as ripping through her eye socket,” Chance replies as she heads toward the table.
“How long will it take?” Ameana asks.
“The entire night.”
“Okay, I’ll stay with her.” I inform her.
“Impossible. I need to concentrate.” Chance replies.
“I’m not leaving her.”
“Do you understand that even the slightest interruption can render her blind for the rest of her life? That is if
she lives?”
“Your father did this to all of you?” I ask.
“Yes, he did,” they answer all at once.
I hate that.
“And how were you able to endure?” Miku inquires.
“Simple. He taught us at an early age that love is pain. I would think the human would know that since that’s what loving you has brought her so far,” Choice says.
I exchange a look with Jay and he, too, is baffled by Choice’s reaction towards me. Ameana is enjoying this moment although she’s polite enough to try and hide it.
“The sooner we do this, the sooner we get our freedom. So please, leave the room so we can begin,” Chance orders us.
“I’m not gonna let her get hurt again,” I inform them.
“I’m sorry, I was under the impression you had no other option. Has an option presented itself since we last spoke?”
“No.”
“Then can we get on with it?”
I look around the room and the team seems to agree; there is no other way.
I go over and take Emmy’s hand in mine.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be fine,” she says.
“I think I’m supposed to be giving you the pep talk here.”
“Oh, so you’ve done this before?” she jokes.
“Can you guys give us a minute?” I ask the others. Chance is about to object but then she thinks better of if and she ushers everyone out.
Once we’re alone, Emmy sits up.
“You don’t have to be brave for me. It’s okay if you’re scared,” I tell her.
“Listen, it sounds like there’s a chance something could go wrong,” she cautions me.
“Nothing is gonna go wrong.”
“Just listen, if it does, you have to make sure they keep going. The map is more important that me. Remember you promised, right?”
“Yeah, I remember.”
“And if I don’t make it, give Ms. Charlotte to Ben. She really likes him. Tell Uncle Max that I love him. Tell the team…thank you. And when you start blaming yourself, like I know you will…remember, I would do it all over again,” she says beaming.
I gently pull her towards me and kiss her deeply, desperately, and maybe for the last time. A rush of longing flows through me. It’s only then that I realize it’s not about wanting
Emmy. It’s about needing her.
Dear Omnis, I need her. I need her. I need her…
All too soon there is a knock on the door. It’s time to let Chance and her sisters cast the Dy out of Emmy. I didn’t think I would ever dread anything more than knowing she’s going to suffer…