I swallow hard and nod, eager to get going so I can get her back. “Okay. Be careful.”
“And if she shoves you out, don’t fight,” Ridley adds. “It will only be worse for you in the long run.”
“I have no intention of leaving until I’m sure she’s safe,” I tell him truthfully.
“Your funeral.” Ridley shrugs and steps toward the back as Fearghas reaches into the cup and withdraws the leaves.
“Open your mouth.”
I do as he instructs, and within moments hot, sticky leaves are being applied to the roof of my mouth. The flavor punch is potent, and not at all pleasant. Thankfully, it’s not something I have to experience long as my brain begins to grow foggier, the room around me fading with each passing moment. My limbs grow heavy, and I have to force myself not to panic as I try to move my arm and nothing happens.
It will be over soon,I remind myself as I focus only on breathing. In and out, in and out, nice and steady—as the darkness closes in around me.
Eyesight gone, I can hear nothing but the sound of my own heart steadily slowing until finally, it stops, and my world goes completely black.