Chapter 60
December, 3,390 BC
Earth: Village of Assur
GITA
Wrong. Her mother had been wrong! No divine gift had appeared to enable her to save him. Gita pressed her cheek against his chest, praying to hear his heart beat one more time.
"Take me. Take me," she sobbed. "Oh, great goddess. Please take me instead!"
She knew she had to get out of there, to cross Mikhail's hands in death and rush to the wall so she could cast herself into the river, but she could not bear to leave his body until it had grown cold. Through the window, sparks from the bonfire flew into the air like tiny stars. Outside, the villagers began to chant his name.
"Mikhail! Mikhail! Mikhail!"
His chest sat lifeless and still, no more heartbeats gracing the empty shell beneath her ear. Gita shut her eyes. Stop bre
