“Don’t do this. Not again.”

“I’m not, not really. You won’t be alone. Remember?”

“I can’t-”

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“You have to. Take my hand. It’s yours.”

“I just said-”

“I heard what you said, and we both know that’s a lie. You absolutely can, and you absolutely will. There’s so much more you can offer this world - and even more it can give back to you. Please. This is my last wish. My last gift.”

Reluctantly, I took her hand in mine. Her grip was shockingly cold, but she kept it firm. A familiar heat seared onto the back of my hand: a Brand that gained life as she lost hers. Then her entire body slackened, and it was done.