TAKE ME, he wanted to scream. LEAVE HER … PLEASE TAKE ME!

Judah begged Shemaiah to let him take Jennifer’s place, but he knew it wouldn’t be so. From the first moment that his twin sister had stepped foot in this dreadful land, Judah knew this moment would come. He didn’t realize it until right now, but as they were running, Judah pulling his sister and keeping her on her feet, he suddenly knew in his heart that everything right up to this very moment was to prepare him to release Jennifer into the hands of King Shrailzhar.

The boy wanted to peel off his own skin; to step out of himself somehow or throw himself into the Sea of Acheron. He knew he couldn’t. Judah knew that Jennifer would have to pay a price that only she could pay–one that would cost her everything.

One soul in exchange for many.

It was Jennifer … it had always been Jennifer.