Hailee's POV
I did not sleep.
I tried. I really tried. I turned off the lamp and lay down. I closed my eyes and counted my breaths. I made myself count to one hundred. I told myself that the Beta had said Nathan was alive. I told myself the healer was with him. I told myself the bleeding had slowed. I told myself he was stubborn and would not give up. I told myself all these simple things like small stones I could hold in my hands.
But every time I closed my eyes, I saw him on the ground. I saw blood on his shoulder and side. I saw his mouth open like he was trying to breathe and could not.
I sat up and turned on the lamp. I stood. I sat. I stood again. My legs felt like they had little engines in them. They would not be still. I went to the window and pressed my forehead to the glass. The night was heavy and quiet. The lanterns along the paths glowed like tired stars. Somewhere an owl made a soft call. I could not answer it. I could only breathe and try to stay calm.
