Kieran:
My world had already fallen apart once four days ago. Watching it happen again tonight... seeing Evaline collapse lifelessly in my arms... felt like living that nightmare all over again.
I caught her just in time, her body limp and cold against me, her head lolling weakly to the side. Her hand still clung to Draven's even as her consciousness faded away. I could barely breathe. My throat burned from holding in a sound I didn't want anyone to hear.
"Evaline!" I whispered her name, shaking her gently, but she didn't stir. Her lashes fluttered once and then went still.
Behind me, River swore quietly, his voice breaking in a way I'd never heard before. Oscar stood frozen, his fists trembling at his sides.
"She's completely drained," Cao Ren said, his usually calm face pale. "She's been pouring out her essence directly. Her soul's exhausted. She needs rest before her body gives out."
Rest.
Right.
As if that word hadn't become poison to me in the last four days.
