Then I took my daughter in my arms and walked into the river.
When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day I traded ten years of my life for three million dollars.
——
The ritual had reached its final step when I suddenly stood, interrupting the incantation.
Gideon Crowe stopped mid-chant, his brow furrowing as he looked at me.
My husband Elijah Dickerson was even more impatient: "Cassie, what's wrong? The master's at the crucial moment! Don't move!"
I ignored him. One kick sent the brazier flying, scattering ash and talisman paper across the floor.
Gideon yelped and leaped back. Elijah's face went rigid with fury.
"Cassandra Salazar! What the hell are you doing?!"
I brushed the dust from my clothes and turned to leave.
"I'm not doing this. Trading ten years of my life for three million? I've decided it's a bad deal."
Elijah caught up and grabbed my wrist, fingers digging in hard.
"Cassie, what kind of tantrum is this? Nora Abbott needs that surgery money! This is the only way!"
I wrenched free of his grip, my smile cold enough to frost glass.
"The only way? Tell me, Elijah—is Nora only my daughter? Why don't you trade your life instead?"