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“I can't stop it,” Jeff said, his tone defeated. “I think she hit something major. An artery or something. ”

Settling on her knees, Amaliya leaned over Pete. She could see his blue eyes had a hint of life left, but not for long. Resting her hand on his forehead, she felt tears on her cheeks.

“Pete, I'm so sorry,” she said.

Samantha crouched next to Jeff and covered her mouth. Sorrow filled her expression.

“He wanted to help restore you to human,” Jeff explained though Amaliya didn’t ask.

Stroking Pete's beard with her fingers, Amaliya stared into his compassionate blue eyes. She could see his love for her glimmering in their fading depths. Blood bubbled on his lips and words he tried to whisper were lost in the gurgling of his last breaths. He had hurt her so badly that night in the Dixie Motel, but now as she studied his sweet face she wondered how she had ever been mad at him.

Taking his hand, she held it to her cheek. “Thank you for trying to save me,” she whispered.

“He just wanted a life with you,” Samantha said in a voice fraught with emotion. “He wanted to make it up to you for rejecting you. He was just so afraid, he didn't understand. ”

“How do you know that?” Amaliya asked, glaring at Samantha. The words the woman had uttered hurt more than she wanted to admit.

“I can hear his voice as he grows closer to. . . ” Samantha trailed off, studying Amaliya’s stricken look. “Do you want me to not tell you?”

“No, please, do. ” Amaliya cast off her dark thoughts. She kissed Pete's hand and held it to her lips. “Tell me. ”

Samantha nodded, her hand finding Pete’s other hand. Holding it gently, Samantha closed her eyes. “He says that he's so sorry. That all he ever wanted was to be with you. He wants you to know that he has no regrets about trying to save you. ” Samantha wiped at her own tears. “He says. . . he says that he only regrets not growing old with you and watching your children grow up. ”

Jeff wrapped an arm around Samantha to comfort her.

Amaliya found it hard to speak, but she forced out the words. “I'm sorry, too, Pete. That would have been wonderful. A perfect life. ” It was a lie, but one she would say in this final moment to give him comfort.

As Pete's last breath escaped his lips, Samantha whispered, “He says he loves you. ”

Pressing a kiss to Pete's lips, Amaliya whispered, “I love you, too. ”

And then he was gone.

“I'm so sorry, Amaliya,” Samantha said, meaning it.

Amaliya wiped away her tears with the heels of her hands. “Where is my grandmother and cousin, Jeff?”

“Sergio is in the truck. He got knocked out,” Jeff replied.

“And my grandmother?” Even as she said the words, she knew the answer.

Jeff shook his head.

Amaliya sobbed and covered her face. “He killed her out of revenge. ”

“I think so. Yes,” Jeff said, lowering his eyes.

“I'm going to find a way to fucking kill him. And he won't ever come back!” Amaliya swore bitterly, anger filling her. “He'll fucking stay dead!”

* * *

Cian watched Pete's passing from the other side of the cemetery. He didn't want to intrude, but he still heard the sorrowful farewell between Amaliya and Pete through Samantha. Cassandra lingered at his side, also watching, but saying nothing. Rachon ignored the scene, burying Prosper's remains with her bare hands. Eduardo sat naked on a tombstone staring at the sky.

“So The Summoner is back,” Cassandra said at last.

“Yes,” Cian said. The grimness of the moment tainted his voice.

“And he has the ring again. ”