“A what?” I didn’t like the sound of it.

“A challenge.”

Angelus looked suspicious. “The Mortal defeated the Dark Queen and won. That was the only challenge he will face today.”

I was annoyed. “I told you. I didn’t kill Sarafine. She defeated herself.”

“Semantics,” Angelus said.

Xavier silenced us both. “So you are unwilling to face the Mortal in a challenge?”

There was an uproar in the crowd, and Angelus looked like he wanted to tear Xavier’s wings off. “Silence!”

The chatter stopped immediately.

“I do not fear any Mortal!”

“Then this is my proposition.” Xavier tried to keep his voice steady, but he was obviously terrified. “The Mortal will face you in the Great Keep and attempt to regain his page. You will attempt to stop him. If he succeeds, you will allow him to do with it as he likes. If you stop him from reaching his page, he will allow you to do with it as you like.”

“What?” Xavier was suggesting that I face off against Angelus. My odds were not good in this scenario.

Angelus was aware that all eyes were on him as the crowd and the other Council Keepers waited for his response. “Interesting.”

I wanted to bolt out of the room. “Not interesting. I don’t even know what you’re talking about.”

Angelus leaned toward me, his eyes sparking. “Let me explain it to you. A lifetime of servitude or the simple destruction of your soul. It doesn’t really matter to me. I’ll decide on a whim, as I like. When I like.”

“I’m not sure about this.” It sounded like a lose-lose proposition to me.

Xavier let one hand fall on my shoulder. “You don’t have a choice. It’s the only chance you have to get home to the girl with the curls.” He turned to Angelus, holding out his hand. “Is it a deal?”

Angelus stared at Xavier’s hand as if it was infected. “I accept.”

CHAPTER 34

The Caster Chronicles

Angelus swept out of the room, the other Keepers right behind him.

I let out the breath I was holding. “Where are they going?”

“They have to give you a chance, or they will be perceived as unjust.”

“Perceived as unjust?” Was he serious? “Are you saying no one’s caught on to that before?”

“The Council is feared. No one questions them,” Xavier said. “But they are also proud. Especially Angelus. He wishes his followers to believe he is giving you a chance.”

“But he’s not?”

“That depends on you now.” Xavier turned to me with something resembling a sad expression on what was left of his human face. “I can’t help you. Not beyond this, my friend.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m not going back there. I can’t,” he said. “Not to the Chamber of the Chronicles.”

Of course. The room that housed the book. It had to be close.

I looked at the row of doors beyond us, bordering one side of the room. I wondered which one led to the end of my journey—or to the death of my soul.

“You can’t go back there? And I can? Don’t chicken out on me now.” I lowered my voice. “You just took on Angelus. You made a deal with the Devil. You’re my hero.”

“I am no hero. As I said, I am your friend.”

Xavier couldn’t do it. Who could blame the guy? The Chamber of the Chronicles must have been some kind of house of horrors for him. And he had put himself in enough danger already.

“Thanks, Xavier. You’re a great friend. One of the best.” I smiled at him. The look he gave me in return was sobering.

“This is your journey, dead man. Yours alone. I can go no farther.” He put his arm on my shoulder, pressing heavily.

“Why do I have to do everything alone?” As soon as I said it, I knew it wasn’t true.

The Greats had sent me on my way.

Aunt Prue made sure I got a second chance.

Obidias told me everything I needed to know.

My mom gave me the strength to do it.

Amma watched for me, and believed it when she found me.

Lena sent me The Book of Moons, against all odds and all the way from the other side of the universe. Aunt Marian and Macon, Link and John and Liv—they were there for Lena when I couldn’t be.

Even the River Master and Xavier had helped me move forward, when all along it would have been so much easier to give up and go back.

I had never been alone. Not for a minute.

I may have been a Wayward, but my way was full of people who loved me. They were the only way I knew.

I could do this.

I had to.

“I understand,” I said. “Thanks, Xavier. For everything.”

He nodded. “I will meet you again, Ethan. I will see you when next you cross the river.”

“I hope it’s not for a long time.”

“I hope this as well, my friend. For you more than me.” His eyes seemed to twinkle for a second. “But I will keep busy collecting and counting until you return.”

I didn’t say anything as he slipped through the shadows and back into the world where nothing ever happened and the days became the same as nights.

I hoped he would remember me.

I was pretty sure he wouldn’t.

One by one, I touched the row of doors in front of me with my hand. Some felt as cold as ice. Some felt like nothing, like plain wood. There was only one that pulsed beneath my fingertips.