" Until death," Jem replied gently. " Those are the words of the oath. 'Until aught but death part thee and me.' Someday, Will, I will go where none can follow me, and I think it will be sooner rather than later. Have you ever asked yourself why I agreed to be your parabatai?" " No better offers forthcoming?" Will tried for humor, but his voice cracked like glass." I thought you needed me," Jem said. " There is a wall you have built about yourself, Will, and I have never asked you why. But no one should shoulder every burden alone. I thought you would let me inside if I became your parabatai, and then you would have at least someone to lean upon. I did wonder what my death would mean for you. I used to fear it, for your sake. I feared you would be left alone inside that wall. But now... something has changed. I do not know why. But I know that it is true." " That what is true?" Will's fingers were still digging into Jem's wrist. " That the wall is coming down. "