225 218 Left Hand of Calamity (4)

"You said you have no other way," Gale accused, "that is clearly a lie, like many other lies you have told me."

A pained expression appeared on Saarya's face as she regarded him. "Yes, there are other ways," she said, "but none of them showed even a glimmer of hope for success. Although you had your head in the right place, you lacked the much-needed drive to rise to the challenge."

"So you decided to play dead after saving me?" Gale glowered at her.

"Yes," Saarya admitted, pain showing through her expression.

"I hope your scheme worked," Gale shouted at her, turning his face, "even if it broke me."

"It did," Saarya said, appearing before him. She touched his cheek with her palm, drawing his head to look at her. "If not for the Thunderfiend, you would have already reached the point where I needed you."

Gale still glowered at her, even though he knew fairly well that he couldn't stay angry at her for much longer.