Vampire venom was a curse—it paralyzed, corrupted, dragged wolves into the same endless sleep that had claimed Alpha Thoren Dravenwood. So why wasn’t I fading? Why was I awake?
Before I could move, I heard them.
Through the glass wall, their silhouettes were unmistakable. Elowen—crying softly in his arms. Kael holding her like something fragile and sacred. His hand smoothed her hair, his voice gentle, soothing—the voice I’d never once heard directed at me.
“I shouldn’t have gone,” she whispered. “It’s my fault Lyra got hurt.”
“No,” he murmured. “You didn’t know. I should’ve protected you both.”
Her tearful eyes lifted to him. “Why… why did you protect me? Why not her?”
His voice broke. “Because… I lo—”
The crash was deafening. The vase by my bed shattered against the floor, glass skittering everywhere.
Kael’s head snapped toward me. Elowen gasped and rushed in.
“Lyra!” she cried, voice trembling, tears trembling on her lashes. “You’re awake! Oh, thank the Goddess, I—”
“Save it.” My voice came out a blade. “With you here, cluttering my air, how could I possibly heal?”
Her lip quivered. She ran from the room sobbing. Kael stayed.
“I didn’t have time—” he started.