"I'll tell her," Thalia said.
She returned to the ritual circle and made one final adjustment.
Then stepped back.
"It's ready," Thalia said. "The circle is complete. The components are aligned. The soul anchor is attuned. All we need now is midnight."
She looked at Nicholas.
"Lie down on the altar," Thalia instructed. "Get comfortable. Or as comfortable as you can be knowing you're about to die."
Nicholas lay down slowly.
The stone altar was cold beneath him. Hard. Uncomfortable.
But it did not matter.
In a few minutes, he would not feel it anymore.
Thalia placed the glowing soul anchor crystal on Nicholas's chest.
Immediately, Nicholas felt its warmth spreading through him. Felt it connecting to his heartbeat. Felt it preparing to guide his soul when the separation began.
"Victoria," Thalia called.
Victoria approached the altar. She looked down at Nicholas.
"Thank you," Victoria whispered. "For doing this. For saving her. For being willing to sacrifice everything."
