"So... who wants to ask him?" Des whispered, crossing his arms and staring at Malachi like he was a sleeping dragon. "Because right now, he doesn't look like he wants to talk to anyone."
"I'll do it," Kai grunted, taking a step forward. "He's my best friend. He won't say no to me."
"He might say no to all of us if he thinks this is some kind of joke," Kai warned softly. "Look at him, Kai. He hasn't moved in an hour. He's completely shut down."
I stared at the back of Malachi's head, my stomach doing uncomfortable flips. My hands felt cold, and my chest ached with every single breath. I was the reason he was sitting there like a ghost. I was the one who had shoved him away and hurt him.
Asking him for a massive favor right now felt incredibly selfish. But Pearl was somewhere up in that dark, dangerous tower, and I didn't care if I had to embarrass myself to save her.
"I'll talk to him," I said quietly, stepping past Kai before either of them could stop me.
