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“Damn it,” Death says. “I don’t know how to overpower her magic. It’s dark and strong, most likely powered by Louhi’s hate.”

“Add in Salainen’s hate for me, and we’re fucked.”

He sighs heavily, running a hand through his hair as he looks me over. “Okay, then. Your turn.”

“My turn? You expect me to kick down the door after you couldn’t?”

He shrugs. “You somehow defeated the Shadow Self version of me; I wouldn’t sell yourself short. Anyway, now is as good a time as any to see if you can conjure up that Goddess power.”

“You keep saying it’s a power, but all that happened was that my hair turned to flames and I somehow grew wings. If you can’t open the door as the God of Death and King of the Realm, what makes you think that I can?”

“I suppose you’re always surprising me. Why would this be any different?”

Hmmph. I don’t share his confidence in me.

Still, it’s worth a shot.

I walk over to the door, Death stepping out of the way, and take in a deep breath. I close my eyes and…

What the hell am I supposed to do? Pray to my mother? Ask the gods for help?

I sigh and try to approach this with as much gravity as I can. After all, if we don’t get out of here, it’s not just our lives that will be affected.

I just don’t think I’ll be able to help.

Stop thinking negatively, I chide myself. Pretend you’re in front of Vipunen. Pretend you’re in front of your mother. Ask for help. Ask for strength. Ask for the powers of the sun.

I pinch my eyes shut even harder.

Gods who can hear me, give me strength, give me light, give me the power to save ourselves.

I try to concentrate on the air in the room, the ground beneath my feet, the beat of my heart, the sound of my breath. I picture the sun radiating warmth and power from its rays, imagine it sinking into my skin and igniting something insideme. I feel something inside my core, something eternal and complex that’s swirling, building, filling me with energy.

I open my eyes and point my palms at the doors as I let out a cry.

Nothing happens. The energy inside me dissipates like a candle that’s been snuffed.

I glance at Death over my shoulder as I walk over to the door to check. I put my hand on the handle, but it won’t budge. I press my shoulder against it for a moment, but I know it’s futile.

I step back and give Death a sorry shake of my head.

“Nothing happened. I felt something inside me but…nothing came out.”

He nods at me, in thought, before his eyes go over my shoulder and widen.

I whirl around to face the door again.

The handle is starting to move.

The sound of it unlocking fills the air.

Did I do that? What is happening?

Then, the door slowly opens toward us.

On the other side is a short figure cloaked in all black, a black veil over her face.

Chapter 4