Kerrick pulled me into hug. “What’s going on?”

Another convulsion hit. My muscles trembled as I gasped for air. Pain twisted deep inside me. I held on to Kerrick until it stopped.

“Oh, no.” His voice broke. “I’d hoped we’d have another good day.”

“Can you do one last thing for me?” I asked.

Instantly wary, he peered at me. “I’m not hurting you.”

“Not that. Can you find a Death Lily close by?”

“For after?”

“No. For now. This afternoon. You know how bad it gets in the third stage. I don’t want to suffer and I don’t want you to watch me suffer.”

“And if I don’t do it?” He didn’t wait for my answer. “Then you’ll go out and search on your own.” His shoulders drooped in defeat. “All right. I’ll be back.”

While he was gone, I had four more convulsions. Each one stronger than the last. I focused on the peaceful detachment waiting for me inside the Death Lily in order to keep from screaming.

I noted with a sick interest how excruciating pain could take the fear right out of dying.

When Kerrick returned, I grabbed his hand, tugging him outside. “Come on before the next—” I doubled over.

By the time the convulsion dissipated, my legs would no longer support my full weight. Kerrick carried me. I had two convulsions before we reached the Lilys. He set me down. Leaning on Kerrick, I peered at the huge white flowers. There were three of them. I smelled a hint of anise. At least one was a Death Lily.

I hugged Kerrick and kissed him goodbye. “Please don’t shut down for another four years. You’ll find another pain-in-the-ass girl to drive you crazy. Just don’t manacle her to a tree, okay?”

He smiled despite the tears streaking his face.

“And listen to Belen. Poppa Bear knows what’s he’s talking about.” I kissed him again. A salty long one, before I pulled back.

Wobbling on unsteady legs, I limped to the Lilys. The scent of anise grew stronger, coming from the middle one. I approached the one in the middle. A hiss sounded as its petals parted. I turned and met Kerrick’s gaze before being engulfed in the comforting darkness.

Two pricks stabbed my arms, and I floated free of my pain-filled body. I relaxed, drifting. The Death Lily shifted. Taste bad. The thorns retreated. It spat me out.

Now I cried. I huddled on the ground and sobbed.

Kerrick crouched next to me in concern. “What happened?” he asked.

I wiped my eyes, trying to get my emotions under control. Above Kerrick, the Lily on the right hissed. Its petals opened. Without thought, I pushed him out of the way. It snatched me instead. There were two Death Lilys in this small patch. I waited to be expelled.

But this one was…odd. Instead of blackness, there was a fuzzy white light as if the petals were translucent. It smelled of vanilla. Two thin tendrils wrapped around my upper arms, then dug in with what felt like a hundred little barbs. I yelped in surprise and pain. My consciousness didn’t float but I sensed another’s presence with me.

Feelings of pride and ownership overwhelmed me as if the Lily thought of me as its child. Our healer. Then it injected a cold liquid into my arms. The icy toxin numbed at first, then burned like acid. I jerked. The convulsions were mild in comparison to this agony.

I writhed and screamed and yelled until I lost my voice. It felt as if the Lily was digesting me from the inside of my body to the outside. No matter which way I twisted, I couldn’t get away from the burning torture. Finally, I curled into a tight ball.

Like a quick puff of air blowing out a candle’s flame, my world ended.

I woke in Kerrick’s arms. Head bowed, his eyes were closed. Had he stopped me from going to the peaceful afterlife again? All my muscles ached. A rank cottony taste filled my mouth. My throat burned. Pins and needles swarmed over my hands, arms, feet and legs as if all my limbs had fallen asleep.

“Wh—?” My voice croaked.

Kerrick’s eyes snapped open. He stared at me in astonishment.

Not able to talk, I raised my eyebrows, inviting him to explain.

He pressed two fingers to my neck, feeling my pulse.

“Ke—” I squeaked.

“A Peace Lily grabbed you. A Peace Lily!” He blinked.

Unheard of, but it explained the white light and soothing scent. But not the excruciating pain. I waved for him to continue.

“You cried out in such misery…but I couldn’t free you. We should make body armor out of their petals. My knife didn’t make a dent.”

I tapped his chest.

“Oh…sorry.” He smiled and stared at me again.

This time I punched him on the shoulder.

“The Lily eventually spat you out like the other had. Except…” His grin faded. “You were dead.” He shuddered at the memory. “But now you’re…not.”

I considered. Peace Lilys must also contain a toxin. So I died from the Peace Lily’s toxin, but still haven’t died from the plague. Which meant I’d soon be dead again. And my attempt to cheat the plague had completely and utterly failed.

I struggled to stand, but Kerrick wouldn’t let me. He carried me back to the cave and tucked me under the blanket. I fell asleep waiting for the convulsions to begin anew.

Except a funny thing happened. My health improved. I worried the symptoms would return, but after a few days without pain, I stopped panicking over every twinge and cramp.

“The Peace Lily cured you,” Kerrick said.