The three First Born looked at each other. Silent communication passed between them.
"That was always the intention," the lead one finally said. "We never intended for you to be permanent prisoners. The debt is large but not infinite. A yearly renewal for twenty years. After that, the prison will be strong enough to sustain itself without anchors."
"Twenty years?" Aurora said. "We have to do this every year for twenty years?"
"Yes. Twenty renewals. Each will drain you for a few days but you will recover. At the end, your debt will be fulfilled completely. You will be free."
Relief flooded through me so powerfully I almost fell. Twenty years. Twenty renewals. It was not ideal but it was survivable. I could have a life. Build the healing center. Be with Owen. And once a year, I would sac
