• "I have to leave."

    I stared at Lily for a moment in complete astonishment. She wanted to leave, after all we'd been through? Lily's eyes widened as she noticed the look I was giving her.

    "I'm so sorry Aeri, but-"

    "But what?" I spoke harshly without thinking, unaware of my ruthless tone. Lily stepped back away from me. "You don't care about all of us anymore?" I waved my hands at Michael, Karissa, and Eden's ghost, continuing, "You want us to live here in a cave while you stay in a cozy hotel room, well cared for while we survive of of burnt rats?"

    Lily ducked her head, her silvery blonde hair hiding her eyes and emotions. "I'm so sorry," she repeated, "but I have to. You want your memory back, right?" Raising her head, the electric blue eyes burned into my own; I could feel my mind bending to her will, but I couldn't let that happen, it was what she wanted.

    "I do, but you can't help me with that," I responded frigidly.

    "I can, Iris Aerielle Kyrmisa-Melder," Lily countered, at the exact moment Heaven said the same thing, in a hollow and silky voice. I glanced at Heaven in alarm; she blinked and her face softened to the way it had been seconds before.

    "'Melder'?" I whispered, turning back to Lily. "What does that mean?"

    Lily folded her arms across her chest. "I know everything, Aeri, and maybe more. I know the past present, and future. I know what's going to happen. And now I know you need to trust me."

    I opened my mouth to object, but no sound came out.

    "I'm older than you think," Lily added. "Older than-"

    "Who, God?" Michael scoffed.

    Lily smiled. "No. God is a circle, with no beginning and no end. I have a beginning, but I don't have an end."