Page 115 of Dead Wrong

“Stop!”

The restraints holding my limbs snapped as a rush of heat pulsed through me. Azrael, Bastien, and Cirian were thrown backward with a flash of brilliant light, and Wilhelm’s chanting ceased.

My chest heaved as I tried to catch my breath, the visions sinking back into my subconscious as Bastien appeared in my periphery.

“Are you alright?” he asked, eyes wide with concern.

I glanced down at my hands, the gems still firmly sunken into my flesh, and breathed a sigh of relief.

“What the hell was that?” Azrael asked, regaining his footing. “I thought for a second we had it.”

“I don’t think those things are coming out,” Cirian added, poking at the stone on my chest. I flinched, suddenly feeling ticklish.

Wilhelm stepped up to the table, inspecting the Anima stones one by one. Her lips pulled into a hard line. “I’m sorry, Bastien. But we can’t perform the resurrection ritual while these are present. Besides, there may not even be enough of Tobias’ magic left in the ether to return to him. I think it’s time we start thinking about alternatives.”

Bastien nodded, disappointment evident on his face. “Thank you for trying.”

“Of course, seeker,” Wilhelm replies, her tone apologetic. “I must be gone, but do come see me tomorrow, and we’ll go through the archives again to see if anything sticks out, okay?”

He nodded, and Wilhelm embraced him, kissing him on both cheeks before exiting the room.

Azrael helped me sit up, my head spinning. “How are you feeling?”

“Fine, I think. Just a little fatigued.”

“So, I come all this way and have to leave empty-handed?” Cirian complained, folding his arms across his chest. “That’s right fucking rude.”

I swung my leg over the edge of the table, then kicked him in the shin. “Give me a few minutes, and we can have a bout. Just like old times. Hope your sword skills haven’t diminished in your old age.”

His eyes lit up at that. “Are you taking a piss?”

“Never.”

“Right then, I’ll need to get the strip set up. Can we use the alleyway outside?”

“Go for it,” Bastien answered.

Cirian bolted from the room, humming a happy tune. Azrael watched him leave, then turned back to me. “I told the Urchins I’d touch base when we were through. Kaine’s been asking about you, so I figured I should at least let him know you’re alive.”

“Tell him that if he’s got a crush on me, he needs to tell me to my face like a real man.”

Azrael barked a laugh, pulling the device from his pocket. “I’ll be sure to do that.”

“The Urchins are invited to dinner,” Bastien joined in. “If I can squeeze enough chairs into the other room. And don’t worry, I’m cooking.”

“Hey, what’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, frowning at the two of them.

Azrael laughed again, knocking his shoulder into mine. “We’ll be there. Kaine can come see for himself that you’re right as rain.”

Still laughing, Azrael headed out, leaving me and Bastien to put my bedroom back together. I pulled my shirt back on as he cut what remained of the restraints from the table, then folded it up.

“I’m sorry, Tobias.” He paused by the window, his expression pained as he gazed through at the drifting clouds.

“What for?” I asked, moving to his side.

“I promised you that I would help you get your memories back, but I failed.”

“Hey.” I caught him at the hip, pulling him to face me. “You’ve done more than enough for me, Bast. More than I ever deserved. You’re the reason I’m alive right now. And if I’m being honest, I’m more than happy to leave my first life buried.”

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