Both women froze, eyes widening as they turned to look at each other, the realization hitting them at the same time—Max was still conscious. He was still alive.
Lenavira's lips parted, her expression alight with sudden joy as she almost let out a cry, but before she could speak, Ava's firm voice rang sharply in her mind through a vital essence sound transmission, halting her completely. "Lena, don't say anything!" Her tone was calm but urgent, like a warning bell.
