130

MAXINE

I gasped awake to arms shaking me. My eyes frantically look around and I see Liam. He helps me sit up as I pant, covered in sweat.

"Shit, you scared me." He said with an exhale. He and Alaric are crouched next to me.

"How did it go?" Alaric asked peering at me with those golden eyes of his.

I heard the artifact's voice re-echo in my head, answering the question I had asked. "I only stay where I'm welcome."

"We tried to get the artifact's energy out of you. I think it almost killed you." He said.

I shook my head, clearing the fogginess of the past few minutes. "No, no, don't get rid of it. It's fine. Let it stay." I said, confusing them.

Liam glanced at Alaric. "She's the one, right? She's not under any control, right?" He asked. I wondered what had happened when I was talking about the artifact.

Even my thoughts sounded crazy. "I… I had a connection with the artifact. It's not dangerous. It's…" I was lost for words to say.

Liam helped me stand to my feet either way. "It's helpi