Chapter 92
CHAPTER NINETY-TWO
Ellery
I blinked as his words sank in. While we’d been formulating our plans for tonight, I’d completely forgotten about Ryker’s finger.
That awful memory came rushing back with such intensity that it nearly choked me. He was right, of course; even I could smell it now, but the idea of touching it again made me sick.
“I don’t think I can touch it,” I whispered.
He released my shoulder and waved a hand at my pocket. “May I?”
I pondered this as part of me remained unwilling to relinquish this small piece of Ryker. Then my hand went to my other pocket, where his wedding ring was tucked inside. I still had that, and it was what mattered.
“Yes,” I whispered.
With surprising gentleness for one so big, Indon dipped a clawed-tipped hand into my pocket. I looked away as he removed the finger; I couldn’t see it again, but I felt its weight lifted from my pants and shoulders as he took it away.
“Rest now, child,” Indon said. “We’ll see you tonight.”
“Until then, enjoy your freedom and the black rocks.”
Indon’s chuckle followed me as I turned and walked away. I couldn’t see what he did with the finger.
I was so tired that walking was difficult, and more than a few times, my legs trembled and I nearly fell, but I pushed onward. Eventually, I found my way back into the cavern.
Scarlet sat by a pile of blankets; she was the only one still awake. When I trudged over to her, she lifted a blanket from the pile, and I slipped beneath it.
She gripped my arm and squeezed it. “Sleep now, Lery.”
I hadn’t thought it would be possible for me to sleep, but my body had other plans.