Chapter One hundred and Twelve

HECTOR BAYES

I didn't want to let her go, Nola, but I knew in my heart that I had to.

And she did run, jerking away from my arms, to throw open the underground chamber grates with a strength I hadn't imagined her capable of.

I followed on her heels as we ran down the stone slab of stairs at breakneck speed, into the crematorium where Kalden was lying, still as a statue, encased in the frosty insides of a glass coffin.

I felt my breath catch in my throat and I paused at the doorway, my eyes widening when I saw the wreath of white and blood-red hydrangea flower bushes decked in small steps around the dias.

“Kalden? Kalden, say something!” Nola gasped, slapping open the casing as a whoosh of frigid air swept up from the body, hitting me right in the nostrils.

“Hector, you can't do this, I won't let you!” She screamed, turning to grip the lapel of my shirt with tears glistening on her cheeks.

I nodded to the mourners huddled off to the side, darting tear-filled looks at us, and they bowed