Chapter 261: Chapter 261: Trusting My Instincts

No one moved, said anything, not for a long time. Though I held out a tiny breath of hope since no ribbon appeared and the former drach leader's soul didn't rise as I'd seen others do when we returned the pieces of Creator. For all I knew, though, these things would happen differently now. And no amount of searching and calling out could reach him.

Mabel's sorrow softened, eased as she bowed to him and then to me. "Whatever you need of the drach," she said, "we are here to assist. I am, personally."

I shook my head at her, dashing at cooling tears, chest tight and painful as I turned from her. I'd already decided the price I'd asked others to pay was far too great. "I've taken one leader from the drach," I said, choking on the words. "I won't take another."

She didn't protest. So she felt the same way. Didn't make me feel any better.