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“Who did this to them?” Alexei’s voice sounds like midnight. Like an eclipse. Like the end of things.

“Their stepdad,” Grigoriy says.

“I’m going to kill him.” Alexei stands up.

Grigoriy grunts. “They don’t want you to hurt him. They’re very insistent on it.”

“They?” I ask. “That’s just my sister.” I toss my head at the door. “Kill him—the sooner the better.”

Alexei smiles.

“But first, heal her.” I release Mirdza. I wipe my face with both hands. “Please, please let him try it.”

“There’s not much bone left,” Mirdza whispers. “If he tries and it doesn’t work.” She shakes her head.

She may never walk again.

I hate this.

I hate it so much.

“Killing him won’t fix me,” she says. “Two wrongs—”

“Stop,” I say. “Don’t try cliches on me. This might fix you, and it’s the best chance we’ve ever had.” Another tear rolls down my cheek. “It might finally erase what happened.”

“Fine,” Mirdza says. “If you promise to leave Martinš alone, I’ll try it. He’s not with Mom anymore. There’s no reason to drag darkness back into our lives.”

Alexei frowns.

Grigoriy grunts.

Mirdza is who she is. And I want my miracle.

“What do you have to do to get the metal out?” I ask.

“Aleksandr,” Alexei asks. “Can you. . .?”

Aleks is slouching against the wall near the door. “Can I. . . Oh. Can I remove the metal?”

“It’s part of the earth, isn’t it?” Alexei looks nervous.

Aleksandr walks toward the bed, his eyes intent.

I back out of the way.

This time, he sits on the chair and holds up his hands. And then after a moment, he nods. “It’s going to be really, really terrible, though.” He cringes. “The only way to get it out. . .” He stands and backs up.

“I think I know,” Mirdza says. “You’re going to have to pull it out. Through my body.” She swallows.

“I can’t.” Kris shakes her head. “I love you, but I can’t stand here and watch that.” She looks pale as a sheet.

“You don’t have to.” Mirdza’s as pale as Kristiana. “And you don’t, either.” She’s looking at Grigoriy.

And me.

“I’m staying,” I say.

“Me too,” Grigoriy says.