The moment the shadows tore her away from Xu Kai, Aeris felt her chest tighten, not from pain, but from the way his voice broke behind her.
She didn't dare look back.
If she turned around… If she saw the way his hands would reach for her, or the way his eyes would search hers for answers… She wouldn't be able to go.
But she had to go.
Because she could feel it, the slow, creeping cold in her veins, the fragile way her heart struggled with each beat. Her shadows had already given more than they had to keep her standing this long. There was nothing left for her but a few breaths, a few minutes.
Xu Kai… He wouldn't survive seeing that.
If he knew, truly knew, that she was dying right there in front of him, he would throw away everything to follow her into the dark. He would not stop. Not until he broke himself trying to save her.
And she couldn't allow that.
