Page 155 of Cavern of Silence

I grunt, swallow, and fill my mouth again. My ribs are still broken, and after each fight, the crowd chants for Evandro to allow the doctor to tend to my body. And I wonder when the time is going to come that the damage is too severe, and I'll just die in the ring.

I've also not seen Jonas since before I killed Miguel.

"She made it to safety,"Maureen says.

I freeze then blink hard. "Where is she?"

"Bermuda. Don't worry about them harming her tonight. They no longer can. Kill whomever you need to, but you must fight your opponent first."

"Tell me who I'm fighting."

"He has a weak heart. No one knows, but he does. Use it to your advantage."

"Weak heart, got it."

"Finish eating."

"This shit takes like dog food."

"Is it better than my sister's cooking?"

"Your sister's cooking tastes gourmet compared to this crap."

"Wow. I didn't think that was possible."

"Me, either." I finish the last bite and down the entire glass of water.

"You should take Julieta to Ireland. My family misses you. They would love her."

I close my eyes. Maureen had a large family, and her siblings were like my own. Their kids were like the children we never had. "I'm sorry. It was too hard to see them."

"I know. And they understand. You won't need to explain anything. Just take a trip for fun when you can. Julieta will love the farm and the pub. She is a natural at Riverdance."

"Julieta knows the Irish stepdance?"

"Not yet, but she'll catch right on and be better than anyone else in the pub."

"Huh." I begin to stretch so I'm limber for tonight's fight. I haven't heard anyone come into the room next door, but Maureen hasn't been wrong yet.

After several minutes, I ask, "Are you still there?"

"Yeah, I'll be here until you get to Bermuda."

A chill runs down my spine. "Where will you be when I get to Bermuda?"

I can't see her, but I feel her body behind mine and arms come around me."Your future is waiting for you in Bermuda. It'll be time for me to go."

Grief suddenly hits me. "But I don't want you to go. You just came back." Until I lost my freedom, Maureen never talked to me.

"You and Julieta won't need me anymore. At that point, three will become a crowd."

"Maureen—"

"Shh."I feel her finger on my lips."Don't forget what I said. He has a weak heart and set all of you up. Don't be scared to kill whomever you need to. Julieta is no longer in danger."She kisses me."We had a good run, didn't we?"

Tears fall down my cheeks. "Maureen—"

"Shh."She wipes my tears."I am the past. She is the future. I love you. Don't hesitate or forget what I said."