I let myself take one last look at Julian before turning my back on him. My chest felt tight and a slow numbness was taking me over from the inside out. I would never be the same without him.

I met Tom's gaze defiantly, expecting a triumphant or even angered response. But the way he looked at me made me halt, startled. There was a dawning realization on his face, as though he was just seeing something he'd been missing for the first time. He tipped his head slightly to one side and his puzzled gaze switched to Julian.

"You...really love her, don't you?" He didn't say it like a question though.

Julian was looking at me when he answered, in a tired, resigned voice. "More than anything."

Tom studied me. I thought I saw a new sadness in his face for a brief instant, but then it was gone, replaced by a harder emotion. A stronger emotion. With a start, I realized he was trying to be brave, for whatever he was about to do. He faced the Shadow Men.

"I change my mind."

The shadows whirled and clicked in confusion, a swarm of grotesque insects beneath a storm-gray sky. They had never encountered this before. The lead Shadow Man cocked his head, his smoldering eyes thin slits. "What did you say, little human?" he asked softly.

"I change my mind," Tom repeated, louder than before. "I don't want to win this Game. I want you to make Julian human."

My heart leaped in my chest. Had the Shadow Men lost their hold over him?

The Shadow Man clearly didn't know how to react to this. "Our Games," he said slowly, "don't work like that. I thought this was what you wanted, after all. You won."

"I wanted Jenny to be happy," he told them. A brief half-smile touched his lips. "But she already is." He glanced at me.

I had my hands clasped over my mouth, hardly daring to believe that this was actually happening. There was a slim chance that the Shadow Men would save Julian.

The Shadow Man chuckled. "You don't actually think we will simply change the ending of the Game just for you. We made a deal. Our deals cannot be broken." A buzz of agreement rose from the other Shadow Men, who still spun and wheeled restlessly behind their leader.

Tom remained perfectly calm. "And do you remember our other little deal?" he asked quietly.

The shadows stopped writhing. All eyes were locked on him. The leader was definitely interested now, sinking his talons deep into the wet grass. He licked his lips. "We remember," he answered carefully. "But what are you suggesting, human?"

Tom dipped his head toward Julian. "You make him human, and our deal is done," he said. "You don't have to listen to me anymore. You'll be free."

The Shadow Man was eager now. This was a deal he'd have no problem making. "And you will not call on us again?" he asked. The horde behind him was still, as if they were all waiting breathlessly for the answer.

I was holding my breath, praying that this dream would come true, that they would hold up their end of the deal. Please. Please let this happen.

The barest trace of a grin curved Tom's lips. "Yes," he answered. "I won't call on you again. You're free—if you agree to make Julian human."

The Shadow Man's smile held all the secrets of a winter forest, glistening with ice. "Done," he said, and simply snapped his fingers.