Page 40 of Minas (Dying Gods #4)

Sira

It does not hurt to die.

Not as much as it hurt to live, at the end. I cannot remember why it hurt. But it did.

“Mother?” My voice echoes in the darkness, careening into depths I cannot see. “Hemera?”

My mother and sister should be here. I remember that, at least. But only cold silence answers.

I shiver and go to wrap my arms around myself—then start in surprise at the feel of something hard and heavy clutched in my hand, knocking against my side. I frown at the unfamiliar object, but don’t release it.

Whatever it is, it must be important, if I have carried it with me to Potina’s realm.

A light glows in the distance, so faint at first I think I have imagined it. I step towards it, tentatively, one arm stretched out before me. But no wall bars my way and, as I walk, the light grows stronger. Brighter. An orange, flickering light that reminds me of… something.

I lower my arm, lengthen my stride and walk towards the light.