Askel couldn’t believe the nerve of the priestess. She had him brought here for the ritual. He shouldn’t have even been told Akira was ill in Askel’s mind.

“Why do you need him?” Askel demanded not taking his eyes off of the man who had broken his sister.

“I realize Keir is not welcome but he is necessary,” the priestess replied.

“How necessary?” Askel growled.

“All things come at a price,” the priestess answered. “The price must be payed one way or another. He is here to pay the price for her life.”

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“What is it I have to sacrifice?” Keir asked looking to the priestess.

“The price is her love for you,” she said simply.

Keir swallowed hard. Askel smirked.

“What does that mean?” Keir asked.

“It means she will no longer cling to you or your promises,” Asena replied acerbically.

“She will also not remember that she ever loved you or remember you,” the priestess added.

“So I am to be wiped from her memory completely?”

“Essentially, yes.”

Keir looked ashen. Belatedly, Askel wondered if he would actually sacrifice all of that in order to save Akira. For a long moment, there was nothing but silence and the rhythmic beeping of the heart moniter coupled with the soft whooshing of the ventilator.