Page 145 of Find My Way Down to You

Milos’s mouth curves, sharp as a scythe. “My brother and his wants,” he tuts.

He watches me. Waits for every little dot to connect. It doesn’t take me long.

Of course Cary wouldn’t tell me what he gave up. What he offered Milos to get inside the labyrinth. It was too big. He didn’t want to put any more pressure on me to solve the maze.

He didn’t want to burden me.

“His power,” I say.

The light around Milos’s irises is the purest gold. “Only temporarily.”

He says it like it’s a consolation. A prize for surviving his game. His fingers push deeper into the space between Cary’s neck and shoulder. The skin purples in a way I’ve seen before.On a human.

“He was so worried about you,” Milos huffs. “I do not know why. Clearly you are more than capable.”

A low groan breaks past Cary’s clenched teeth.

“Why his power?” I seethe.

“To make sure the challenge was still fair,” Milos tells me, his lips pursed innocently.

I start toward him.

“Ah-ah.” Milos shakes a finger while gripping Cary’s tendons harder. His knees sink deeper into the sand.

“Let him go!”

Milos grins, teeth bared. “Soon. But first tell me—how did you two escape?”

My brows furrow. Irritation cuts across his features. My eyes fall to Cary. Through his strained expression, I see a warning in his gaze.

Do not tell him.

“The music,” I reply.

Milos balks. “What music?”

“I heard a melody,” I say, then smile. “And I wrote a song to it.”

It’s not a lie. Lethe gave me the notes. I simply composed my own lyrics over them:right, left, right again, three lefts, two rights. Not my best work. But it’s finished, something I haven’t done since London’s death.

“Liar,” Milos snarls. “You could not have solved my labyrinth with…music.”

“I did,” I say. “I beat your little maze. And now I can leave.”

“It is true, brother,” Cary adds, ragged breaths between his words. “You made a bargain. Now honor it.”

Snidely, Milos says, “Always the rule follower. Mother’s favorite. Her good, disciplined, obedient lapdog.” He snatches his hand away from Cary. Nudges him into the sand with his foot.

Cary catches himself, but only just. His muscles quiver. My pulse beats thickly against my throat.

“Are you sure you want to leave, August?” My name is a dissonant note on Milos’s tongue. So different from the way Cary says it. He grins kindly. “What about London?”

I flinch, eyes wide.

I hate that Milos knows who London is now. But I keep the fact that I saw London from him. That he’s no longer the reason I’m still here in Aides, rooted to this place.

When Milos realizes his words have no effect on me, his tone changes. “Think of what you could have here. Never having to say goodbye to those you love ever again.”