PROLOGUE
The Yukes made peace.
The Lilties made peace.
So why can't we?
I must have asked myself this a thousand times while looking at the white, pure city where I resided. The leaders here were supposed to keep order. They did once, a thousand years ago, but now…
Now they're afraid.
The people are too. I can see it in their eyes. I can see it clearly. Death, illness, and war haven't touched them for thousands of years. They don't want that to change.
I'm not one of them.
I was touched by death. I returned to the world of the living, drawn by the sheer will of my grieving family.
And then, I couldn't go back.
So instead, I was forced to stay here, where death cannot touch, but neither can the living.
But now, as I watched that Yuke give her life, the Selkies, the Lilty, and the young Clavat all risking theirs.
All for the same purpose.
Even though the Selkies hate the Lilties with a passion.
Even though the Yukes were cast from their world.
Even though the Clavats went from proud warriors to a life of poverty…
They all fought together. And I could see it as the young crystal bearer fell, fighting the last battle with Jegran- that he thought it was worth it. I don't think he resented it, even as he fell to his death.
But I did. It was our fault, not his, not theirs. It was our fault that Fate was tangled. Our fault that Jegran was able to disrupt so much.
I couldn't let him disrupt another life. So, I pulled out Fate's Crystal. And using it, I pulled him away from the cold earth and over the sea. I made sure his fall was softened by the wind. I made sure the cruise ship would move in that direction, that he would be pulled from the water.
I saved his life. But as I pulled Layle into the light, I knew Jegran would be taken further by the darkness. I didn't see what happened to him. I didn't watch after that.
I had placed my bet. It was a risky gamble, but it was worth it.
I was sick of watching. Now it was my turn to play.