Ducite me domum.
Ducite me domum, I said.
To remember.
Ut meminissem, I said.
And be remembered.
Ut in memoria tenear, I said.
You remember, my son.
I remember, I said.
You will remember.
I will always remember, I said.
I am the one, I said.
You will—
I will—
Remember…
CHAPTER 6
Silver Button
I opened my eyes.
I was standing in the front hallway of Lena’s house. It worked. I had crossed. I was back in Gatlin, in the world of the living. I was overwhelmed with relief; it was still here.
Gatlin remained. Which meant Lena remained. Which meant everything I’d lost—everything I’d done—hadn’t been for nothing.
I leaned against the wall behind me. The room stopped spinning, and I lifted my head and looked around at the old plaster walls.
The familiar flying staircase. The shining lacquered floors.
Ravenwood.
The real Ravenwood. Mortal, solid, and heavy beneath my feet. I was back.
Lena.
I closed my eyes and fought away the prickling tears.
I’m here, L. I did it.
I don’t know how long I stood frozen in place, waiting for a response, like I thought she was going to come running around the corner and into my arms.
She didn’t.
She didn’t even feel me Kelting.
I drew in a deep breath. The enormity of it all was still hitting me.