Isla's mind raced, a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. She couldn't surrender, but she couldn't bear to watch Kai die. A desperate plan formed in her mind, a risky gamble against impossible odds.
"I will not surrender," she declared, her voice ringing with newfound resolve. "But I will offer you something else."
The serpentine woman raised an eyebrow, her expression curious. "And what could you possibly offer me, child?"
"A trade," Isla said, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her insides.
"My knowledge of Elara's power, the secrets of the amulet, in exchange for Kai's life and a promise that you will leave this land."
The woman's eyes narrowed, her gaze flickering between Isla and the amulet. "Intriguing," she hissed. "But why should I trust you?"
"Because," Isla said, her voice laced with a desperate conviction, "you know I will uphold my end of the bargain. And because you crave power, and I offer you a path to it."
The woman paused, her serpentine form shifting restlessly.
A dark amusement flickered in her golden eyes. "Very well," she said, her voice a low, seductive purr. "A trade it is."