Page 15 of When Monsters Rise
“What’sit about?”
“I’mnot sure yet.Onemoment it reads like a story about revenge and in other moments of love and redemption.”Helooked genuinely confused.
“Itcan be all those things, you know.Humansare complicated.”
Hesmiled wryly. “Yes,I’mbeginning to understand that.ButIdoubt you came here to discuss my reading choices.Whatdid you need me for?”
“Iwant you to helpBastian.”
Hecanted his head. “Helphim?How?”
“Hewas on the serum likeJamie, and now…Nowhe’s dying.I’mnot sure how long he has left, butIknow you can help him.”Ididn’t want to see sympathy on his face.Sympathydidn’t solve anything. “Youcan save him by doing what you did toJamie.”
Heblinked sharply. “Youwant me topurgehim?”
Ipushed back my shoulders. “Yes.Ifwe can get some serum into his body and you purge him, then he can be reborn and—”
“Slowdown.”Hetook a step toward me, his beautiful face etched with concern.
Itook a breath, staring up at him hopefully.
“Rue, even ifIsomehow managed to get ahold of serum, purging takes more than one celestial.Ittakes a troop at full celestial capacity.”
“ButonceGabrielfinds us, once he brings the celestials that are helping him, you’d be able to do it.Gabriel’sbeen planning a rebellion for decades.He’llhave a way of getting hold of celestial light.”
Michaeldropped his gaze to the floor.Hewas considering it, and hope fluttered in my chest.
Whenhe looked up, his expression was probing. “Apurge will wipe allBastian’smemories.Hewon’t remember you.Hewon’t remember any of the things that make him who he is.Areyou prepared for that?”
Iwas aware of this.Awareand willing to deal with it. “Buthe’ll get to live, and that’s all that matters.”
Michael’sgaze flicked over my head. “Bastian…”
Iturned to findBastianin the doorway, an undecipherable expression on his face.
“Bastian,Iwas just—”
“Iheard,” he bit out. “Iheard it all.Myquestion is, doIget a say?”
Whydid he sound angry? “What?Ofcourse.Iwas going to tell you, but you were asleep, andIwas excited so—”
“Youthought you’d get the ball rolling without checking with me first.”
Whatwas his problem? “Checkingwith you?”
“Tosee whatIwant.IfIeven want to do this.”
Hewasn’t making sense. “Idon’t understand, why wouldn’t you?You’dget to live.You’llhave a chance to—”
“Towhat?”Hisjaw ticked. “Bea blank slate with no memories?”
“Wecan make new memories.Fallin love again and—”
“Andwhat if wedon’tfall in love again?Lovedoesn’t just spout out of nowhere.Itcomes with shared experiences.Itcomes with being able to connect through thick and thin.Untilthen, it’s simply infatuation.Ilove you because of whoIknow you to be.Forall the thingsI’veseen you do.Forall the moments we’ve shared.IfIdo this.IfIlose my memories, then all of that…Allof the thingsIfelt will begone.Iwon’t be me.Notanymore.”
Hewasn’t looking at the bigger picture.Atthe fact that we’d have a second chance.Atthe fact that if we did this, then he’d still be here.Existing.Breathing. “Butyou’lllive.There’llbe time for us to grow together and make new experiences.Tofall in love all over again.”Icrossed to him, pleading with my eyes. “Bastian, please…”
Hemet my gaze with cold, angry eyes. “Itold you thatIwas at peace with my fate.Ithought you understood that.”
