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I HEARD THE SOUND of pistols being cocked and rifles loading. The sound of determination and bravery.
As I looked around, I saw young and old alike. All whom deserved to live. None who deserved to die for me, their "saint".
"Hold," I said, the single word resonating through the makeshift army.
"Angelique," Tamar whispered, "we can still get you out."
I glanced at Tamar. "At what cost?" At the look of stubbornness in her face, I gave her a reassuring half-smile. "You don't have to fight this one for me, Tamar. I stand with my first command, hold."
The soldiers lowered their rifles. Tamar brought her axes to her hips but kept her grip tight.
"What are your terms?" I asked, turning back to the Darkling.
Mal frowned. Tolya shook his head. I didn't care. I knew it might be a ploy, but if there was even a chance of saving their lives, I had to take it.
"Give yourself up," said the Darkling. "And they all go free. They can climb down that rabbit hole and disappear forever."
"Free?" Sergei whispered.
"He's lying," said Mal. "It's what he does."
I knew that giving myself up would be easy enough. No part of me was selfish enough that I didn't want to be held prisoner again for these people.
But that wasn't the problem. With my power, he could make me do anything again. Anything. "I can't do that," I told the Darkling.
The Darkling sighed and glanced back over his shoulder. "Bring her," he said.
