Free Sacrifice (Gryphon Series) by Stacey Rourke

grabbed his hands and gave them a quick squeeze before I pulled away. “Let’s just hope it doesn’t get you killed.”
    I turned my back to him before he could see the pained grimace I struggled to hold back. Out of the same satchel that usually held my sketch book and art supplies came the ingredients that would alter my future forever. My chin threatened to quiver. Sheer determination refused to let it. First I removed the piece of parchment paper Bernard gave me with the precise instructions of what I had to do. After that came a vial of some weird, iridescent liquid, a tarnished silver goblet, a candle, matches, and what looked like a small bundle of sticks and leaves bound tightly together with string.
    “ Ya know I’m gonna be fine, lovey.”
    I glanced over my shoulder. Barefoot, with his hands stuffed in the pockets of his jeans and his blue flannel shirt untucked, he was a picture of calm relaxation. To him our worries and cares were an ocean away. I knew otherwise.
    “That’s why we came here, aye? You take that demon out of me and keep me safe from harm while ya’r brother and sister use those special weapons Bernard armed ‘em with tah destroy the Titans once and for all.” His shoulders rose and fell in a carefree shrug. “Way I see it, I’m safe as a wee babe with you as my body guard.”
    “Yeah, what could possibly go wrong?” Even I heard the bitterness of my tone.
    In a puff of black smoke he stood beside me. He slipped a finger under my chin and tipped my face up so I had no choice but to stare into those hypnotizing emerald eyes. “Absolutely nothin’. I know my bein’ human scares ya, but I’m not worried in the least. As long as I’m with you, everything else will work out.”
    “I hope so. ” I swallowed hard to dislodge the lump in my throat, then changed the subject with a nod at the incantation ingredients. “We need to get started.”
    “Aye. What can I do tah help?”
    I struck a match and lit the candle . “Empty that vial into the goblet.”
    Caleb popped the cap off and peeked inside as he swirled the shimmering liquid around. “It looks like dish soap.” He sniffed it and cringed. “Phew! It does not smell like it.”
    “ Then I’d suggest plugging your nose when you drink it.” I used the same match to light my bushel of leaves and sticks. They sizzled and smoked. Their earthy smell quickly filled the room. I shook the match to extinguish it.
    Caleb crossed the room and yanked the window open a crack. “I have tah drink that vile smellin’ stuff? I grew up on a demon plane, but that smells evil.”
    I waved my smoldering sticks in small circles around the goblet . “Yep, that’s considered your consent to break the bond.”
    A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth . “Makes sense, I guess. Ya have tah want it badly enough to drink liquefied cow dung. That’s how they rule out those that only kinda wanna be human.”
    That garnered a genuine laugh d espite my somber mood. “Well, it’s about that time, sir. Cow dung or not, bottoms up.”
    H is hand closed around the base of the goblet. Pain the likes of which I’d never known seized my heart. He swirled the blue liquid around causing a tiny bit to slosh out. I watched him raise the cup to his lips as if he moved in slow motion. When that liquid touched his tongue everything would change. He’d never know I lied to him. He’d never know how much this hurt me. I wanted to scream for him to stop. To knock the cup from his hands before it was too late and get lost in his arms forever. Instead I stood silent and promised myself that somehow, someway we would be together again.
    He poured the liquid into his mouth and my breath caught. There was no going back now.
    “ Gah! That was horrid!” He slammed the now empty goblet down onto the dresser with more force than necessary. “That’s it now, isn’t it? Restored mortality comin’ up?”
    My words came out breathless and forced, “When the moon is