Chapter 39

With only my right hand working right, I pull myself up the ladder one rung at a time. When I reach the top, it's already over.

Fabien has Octavian in the grip of his tentacles. Octavian's eyes have rolled back in his head.

Wherever he is now, I don't envy him

But Fabien doesn't leave him. He keeps choking until Octavian's feet stop kicking. What he drops to the rooftop is a corpse.

"Lola!" Fabien cries.

A moment later, he's all over me. Tentacles cover wounds and wrap me for protection.

"I love you," I whisper. "Tell me...please...one more time."

"Hush," he says. "You're going to make it. Hold on, I'll wrap myself around you and bring you to safety."

When I cry out from the pain, he adds, "Here, you don't need to be awake for this."

And he puts me out like a lightbulb.

I'm on a beach in the bright sun. Clear blue waves lap at the white sand. Palm trees whisper in the gentle breeze.But where am I?