Page 92 of Ashen Oath

It’s not just noise. It tears through everything, through my head, like something breaking apart. The mirrors shake, and it feels like glass is shattering inside my skull.

“NO!”

The word rips through me, followed by this horrible sound of pure rage. I hold on, keeping my hand pressed against the glass next to Riley’s. She’s actually smiling now—small but real.

The scream stops.

Everything goes quiet.

And in that silence, I know the choice was mine.

It always was.